C6 Info

The development of the C6 intends to not only replace the outgoing C5 Corvette (1997-2004), but also to create a 21st century Corvette that both thrills the legions of traditional loyalists and captures the imagination of a new generation of performance enthusiasts. The formula from the C5 era remains: extremely high performance capabilities in a car that offers great style, value and quality, with surprising comfort for daily driving. The C6 builds on that foundation and reaches beyond with dramatic increases in performance and refinement, wrapped in a passionate new design.

The sixth generation Corvette blends technical sophistication with expressive style. Five inches shorter than the current car, the 2005 Corvette cuts a tighter, more taut profile – with virtually no loss of usable space. More than just visual, the new dimensions make the car more agile and “tossable,” with upgrades in handling, acceleration and braking. At 0.28 coefficient of drag, the C6 is the most aerodynamically efficient Corvette ever and has improved anti-lift characteristics that enable improved high-speed stability and confidence.

“The C6 is more competition-influenced – given our championship experience with Corvette Racing – than any previous Corvette,” Hill said. “Our goal was a performance car at home in virtually any environment. That means more than just raw performance. It calls for improved ride comfort, a precisely-built and technically-sophisticated interior, and a sleek new body that is fresh and contemporary, while still instantly recognized as the new Corvette.”

With countless enhancements, ranging from major changes to minor adjustments, the sixth generation aims to perfect the Corvette formula of power, passion and precision delivered with great value.

Power:
A new LS2 6.0-liter small-block V-8 is the standard engine in the 2005 Corvette C6. It is based on GM’s new Gen IV small-block family of engines.

The LS2 raises the bar for standard performance in the Corvette, delivering estimated peak output levels of 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. It is the largest, most powerful standard small-block engine ever offered in Corvette.

Major revisions to the manual and automatic transmissions provide Corvette with significant improvements geared towards performance driving. The Tremec six-speed manual gearbox is available with two sets of ratios, one with more aggressive acceleration characteristics reserved for Corvette’s Z51 Performance Package that emulates the performance of the C5’s landmark Z06 model. Improved shifting characteristics are another major improvement, with new synchronizers that reduce travel by 10 percent, and a shifter knob that is an inch shorter and redesigned for greatly improved driver operation.

The Hydra-Matic 4L65-E automatic transmission is an upgraded version of the C5’s 4L60-E, strengthened and revised to accommodate the LS2’s 400 lb.-ft. of torque. It includes GM’s advanced Performance Algorithm Shifting, which automatically selects the optimal gear for a given driving condition, making it a willing accomplice for performance driving and hard cornering. The transmission now shifts at higher revs to take advantage of the higher engine output.

Not only does the LS2 engine deliver impressive horsepower, but in a true measure of real-world efficiency, it also boasts the best combination of horsepower and fuel economy among the world’s best performance cars. When the LS2’s 400 horsepower is multiplied by its 22.6 mpg combined city/highway mileage estimates, it yields a total of 9,040. Here’s how the C6 compares with some of its key competitors:

The bottom line? The LS2 gives Corvette power in the range of exotic cars that cost tens of thousands more, combined with fuel efficiency better than some family sedans.

Passion:
The signature of the sixth generation is an expressive new design that is a worthy extension of the Corvette lineage, distilling classic Corvette design cues in a completely fresh and contemporary fashion.

C6 features a taut new body with greatly revised exterior dimensions – 5 inches shorter than the C5, and roughly 1 inch narrower – with excellent aerodynamics. This new package not only aids the car’s agility and performance, it also helped designers give the sixth generation a lean, muscular form.

The new Corvette features more character and flair, expressed in an absolutely purposeful manner. The car includes larger wheels (18-inch in front, 19-inch in rear) topped by dramatic fender forms, with a crisp and tapered rear deck and fascia that support improved high-speed performance. Compared to the outgoing C5, this new generation Corvette has much more character in its front and rear fascia areas. The exposed lamps combine with the grille to create much more of a “face” on the car. The rear fascia is more expressive and lean, with truly round taillamps and integrated exhaust tips.

While using the latest advanced computer-aided design techniques, the styling of the C6 Corvette relied heavily on traditional hand sculpting and the personal passion of designers and engineers. Sculptors pored over every millimeter of the car’s surface. The aerodynamic development combined digital simulations, Corvette Racing experience and more than 400 hours of wind tunnel testing.

The passion on the outside is reflected in an all-new interior. The twin-cockpit layout incorporates sophisticated contours, leather-like surfaces that are richer and softer, and pleasing details including metallic accents and an expressive use of color.

Precision:
Interior. A central element of the 2005 Corvette is an all-new interior that includes greatly improved materials, craftsmanship and functionality. The interior delivers premium quality with new technology meant to enhance, not distract from, performance driving. C6 continues the dual cockpit design theme that has been a Corvette hallmark.

The instrument panel and door trim areas make extensive use of cast skin, which retains the look and feel of genuine leather with excellent softness, low gloss and low glare that conveys an overall premium appearance and quality. Anodized aluminum accents the interior in key functional areas, such as the manual shift knob and door release buttons. This material includes a screen-printed appliqué that minimizes sun glare, and is resistant to temperature changes and fingerprints.

Exterior. The C6 features exposed headlamps, the first time since 1962 that a production Corvette has not had a mechanism to conceal the lamps when not in use. The fixed Xenon High-Intensity Discharge lamps provide superior lighting performance in a compact, high-tech package that integrates seamlessly into the design and aerodynamics of the car.

Technologies. Corvette contains many new electronic technologies including Keyless Access with push-button start, and optional features such as a reconfigurable head-up display, DVD-navigation system with voice activation, XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.

Chassis. As the next logical step in the evolution of GM’s Performance Car Architecture, C6’s chassis and structure are significantly enhanced. While the overall design philosophy continues from the C5 Corvette, the details contain a host of improvements.

The key features of the structure – low weight, high strength, cored composite floors, enclosed center tunnel, rear axle-mounted transmission and aluminum cockpit structure – all have been extensively revised to extend Corvette’s total performance, with enhanced structural integrity, feel, refinement and quietness. Overall vehicle weight is projected to mirror the C5, despite mass-increasing features such as larger wheels and tires, more robust brakes and increased body acoustics and interior features.

Suspension. None of the suspension bits has been carried over from C5. The short-long arm and transverse leaf spring independent suspension configuration remains, but the cradles, control arms, knuckles, springs, dampers, bushings, stabilizer bars, and steering gear are all redesigned. The Extended Mobility Tires (EMT) also are new, taking advantage of the latest sidewall design and compound technology for run-flat capabilities, and play a critical role in the tuning of the suspension for excellent handling and comfortable ride.

Ride & Handling. Improvements in ride and handling include greater lateral acceleration, more body control, less noise transmitted from the road, and better traction and stability in corners. The specific tuning changes in the chassis and suspension include suspension and steering geometry optimized for better handling and ride, advanced compounds in the tires, new directional control arm bushings, increased caster angle and greater suspension ride travel. The result is a Corvette that is more poised at even higher handling levels, yet easier to drive.

Suspension Choices. Three suspension choices allow drivers to choose the setup that best suits their driving style – Standard, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, and Z51 Performance Package. The Standard suspension is tuned for a balance of ride comfort and precise handling.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control. The optional F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension features magneto-rheological dampers able to detect road surfaces and adjust the damping rates to those surfaces almost instantly for optimal ride and body control. Magnetic Ride Control debuted on the 2003 50th Anniversary Edition Corvette, and is the world’s fastest reacting suspension, replacing mechanical valves with nearly instantaneous reactions of magneto-rheological fluid. The system has been improved for the C6, allowing drivers more differentiation in character between the system’s two settings, “Tour” and “Sport.”

Z51 Performance Package. The Z51 Performance Package brings Corvette Coupe performance very close to the same level as the widely admired Z06. The Z51 offers more aggressive dampers and springs, larger stabilizer bars, and larger, cross-drilled brake rotors for optimum track performance capability while still providing a well-controlled and comfortable ride. Extensive racetrack testing reveals that a C6 equipped with the Z51 suspension almost equals the lap time of a C5 Z06 – marking a major advance in the overall performance of a Corvette Coupe by nearly approximating the extreme performance capabilities of the vaunted Z06 at a remarkable value.

Eliminating Imperfections. The C6 also seeks to eliminate the little imperfections and potential “dis-satisfiers” that sports car customers formerly had to accept. All of the major user interfaces – the hood, the doors, and the rear hatch – have been painstakingly designed for top quality performance, look and feel. The hood is still forward-hinged, but is 15 percent smaller, 35 percent lighter, and 40 percent stiffer than the previous Corvette. The rear hatch has a power-operated single-cinching latch for excellent fit and easy operation. Doors are stiffer and easier to close, doing so with a more refined sound. There are no traditional door handles on the 2005 Corvette. The C6 features GM’s Keyless Access with Push Button Start technology. By detecting the proximity of the key fob, the system both unlocks the doors and allows it to be started.

The removable-roof panel is 15 percent larger, yet offers the same structural stiffness as C5’s while weighing just one pound more. The roof panel comes standard painted body color, or is available with optional tinted clear or with a dual-roof package. With new indexing side-window glass and redesigned seals, Corvette is much more free from wind noise, too. And the many improvements in tires, suspension, and body structure yield impressive reductions in road noise, while improving overall quality perception and making long trips that much more pleasurable.

2/29/04 DETROIT - Already changed from the top down, the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette is taking its top off.

Image credits: General Motors

The sixth generation of the venerable sports car will doff its hardtop Monday when General Motors Corp. unveils a convertible model during media previews at the Geneva Motor Show. The drop-top's first U.S. appearance comes Tuesday at the Cleveland Auto Show.

For the first time since 1962, Corvette will offer an optional power-operated soft top. The power roof adds just 19 pounds to the Corvette's 3,200-pound base weight and opens or closes in 18 seconds at the touch of a single button, GM said.

The roof itself is made of a five-layer fabric, designed to conceal the supporting structure yet preserve the car's aerodynamics and profile while keeping the cabin quiet - a tough task for a ragtop.

"This convertible will undoubtably be the quietest convertible we've ever had," said Rick Baldick, Corvette marketing director.

Consumer demand for a power soft-top convinced Chevy to offer the option, Baldick said.

The convertible Corvette is a duplicate of the coupe, which features a standard 400 horsepower LS2 6.0-liter engine and an overall upgrade inside and out.

It all started with a roadster. The thrill of open-air motoring was a part of the original allure when the Chevrolet Corvette was born in 1953. Now the sixth-generation 2005 Corvette Convertible arrives, bringing serious performance and thoughtful refinement to the fun of driving a roadster. The sixth-generation of the Corvette legacy begins with the 2005 edition, available in Coupe and Convertible models. Featuring dramatic upgrades throughout, a new 400-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 engine, and dynamic new styling, the sixth-generation Corvette brings more power, passion and precision to America’s performance icon. Production of the 2005 Corvette Convertible begins in fall 2004, slightly after the Coupe begins production in late summer. The 2005 Corvette will be available for sale in the U.S. in late summer, with sales in Europe scheduled to begin in October.

The sixth-generation Corvette Convertible features an optional power-operated soft top, a feature that last appeared on the car in 1962. The power top features a single-button control and completes its cycle in 18 seconds. The top is designed and manufactured in partnership between GM and Car Top Systems, Gmbh, experts who’ve contributed to some of the world’s most celebrated open cars. An easy-to-operate manual top remains standard. The convertible top for the sixth-generation Corvette reflects great attention to detail to net improvements in aesthetics, aerodynamics and utility. In both its manual and power versions, the canvas soft top is available in three colors: Black, Beige and Grey. In its closed position, the canvas top has a smoother, more contoured appearance that conceals the underlying structure better than traditional soft tops. In addition to being more pleasing to the eye, this also helps preserve the outstanding aerodynamic characteristics designed into the sixth-generation Corvette.

Indexing side glass, a feature normally reserved for higher-priced luxury cars, helps better seal the cabin from wind noise. The Corvette’s new structure, including a new aluminum windshield frame, was designed using extensive computer airflow models to improve top-down quietness – especially for noise frequencies in the range of passenger conversations. The top material itself is made of a thick fabric called Twillfast, constructed in five layers for strong durability and insulation. In addition to the new power top, several more details combine to make the convertible much more pleasing to drive, especially for long trips. A bulkhead has been added to better contain small items in the trunk and enable the addition of a new storage area behind each seat. The power top occupies no more space than the manual version, preserving maximum trunk space in both versions. Rear visibility is improved with a glass backlight that is 18.5 percent larger than the 2004 version. Like its predecessor, the backlight has a standard rear defogger.

In an era in which most vehicles seem to grow ever more bulky, the sixth-generation Corvette achieves lower vehicle weight, even with the addition of numerous features new to the marque. The Convertible is no exception, with a base curb weight of 3,199 pounds (1,451 kg), 49 pounds (22 kg) less than the 2004 model. The manual top mechanism utilizes thin-wall castings for a weight savings of 8.6 pounds (3.9 kg.) The optional power top mechanism adds just 14 pounds (6.4 kg.) to the car’s weight.

Every option available on the Coupe can be had on the Convertible, including features new to the Corvette such as OnStar, XM Satellite Radio and DVD-Navigation. Likewise, all three suspension choices – Corvette Standard Suspension, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, and the new Z51 Performance Package – are available on the Convertible.

Axle, 2.73 ratio, limited slip
1 - Standard with (MX0) Transmission, 4-speed automatic.

Axle, 3.15 performance ratio
1 - Only available with (MX0) Transmission, 4-speed automatic.

Axle, 3.42 ratio, limited slip
1 - Standard with (MN6) Transmission, 6-speed manual.

Wheels, 5-spoke aluminum, 18" x 8.5" (45.7 cm x 21.6 cm), front and 19" x 10.0" (48.3 cm x 25.4 cm), rear

Wheels, polished, 5-spoke aluminum, 18" x 8.5" (45.7 cm x 21.6 cm), front and 19" x 10.0" (48.3 cm x 25.4 cm), rear

Performance Handling Package, performance-oriented package for the Gymkhana/Autocross enthusiast, includes power steering, engine oil and transmission coolers, stiffer springs and stabilizer bars, specific shock absorbers, larger brakes with cross-drilled rotors, specific tires and performance gearing, Z51-specific, 6-speed manual transmission or performance axle ratio with automatic transmission

CM7 Convertible top, power folding, includes glass rear window with integral defogger

Convertible top, manual folding, includes glass rear window with integral defogger

Roof Package, includes (CF7) Roof panel, 1-piece, body-color and (CC3) Roof panel, 1-piece, transparent

Keyless Access, with push-button start, includes 2 remote transmitters which enable automatic door unlock and open by touching door switch

Headlamps, bi-functional high-intensity discharge, includes automatic exterior lamp control

Sound system with Navigation, ETR AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback, (U65) Sound system feature, Bose premium 7-speaker system, DVD navigation with GPS, 6.5" LCD color display touch screen, voice recognition, includes Radio Data System, seek-and-scan, digital clock, auto-tone control, automatic volume and TheftLock

Head-Up Display, includes dot-matrix readouts for street mode, track mode with g-meter, vehicle speed, engine rpm, and readings from key gauges including water temperature, oil pressure and fuel levels

Air bags, frontal and side impact, driver and front passenger (standard on everything but the super base coupe - or - I believe that on the 'vert both front and sides are standard, but on the coupe the side ones are optional.)

Console, floor, lockable, includes 2 covered cupholders, ashtray with cigar lighter, auxiliary power outlet and CD storage