New Corvette C6 is designed to thrill Corvette loyalists while also capturing the imagination of a new generation.

The Corvette C6 was unveiled Sunday night at the Detroit Opera House, living up to the pre-show buzz as one of the most anticipated new-car unveilings leading up to NAIAS 2004.

While some will certainly critique the Corvette design as evolutionary rather than revolutionary, it’s difficult to argue with the advances in performance and technology revealed today.

 

“More power, more passion and more precision” is how Richard Wagoner, chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors, described the new Corvette.

 

Performance Increases

A new LS2 6.0-liter small-block V8 that produces an estimated 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque will be the standard engine for 2005 Corvettes. To handle the extra power, both the 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmissions will be upgraded.

 

The manual transmission will feature a different set of gear ratios for the Z51 performance package, for performance in the same category as the previous-generation Z06.

 

The C6 suspension and chassis designs have been carried forward from the C5, but have also been significantly upgraded for additional structural rigidity, chassis feel and quietness. Virtually all suspension parts have been redesigned for improvements in ride and handling.

 

Design Advances

Immediately recognizable as a Corvette through its distinctive design cues, the 2005 model’s overall look is more taut and aggressive. Sharp lines extend from the front fenders back into the doors, while the rear deck is crisp and tapered.

 

Perhaps the most recognizable design feature, exposed headlights integrate into the front fenders—the first time since 1962 that a production Corvette has had non-retracting headlights. At the rear, the new Corvette retains one of its signature design cues, quad taillights, although they return to a round shape.

 

In terms of overall dimensions, the C6 is more compact, measuring 5 inches shorter and about one inch narrower than the current Corvette. The wheels increase to 18 inches in diameter at the front and 19 inches at the rear.

 

The interior is all new, but still retains the dual cockpit design. New materials offer a softer, more luxurious feel to the instrument panel and door trim.