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2005 Chevrolet Corvette Preview

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Close to Z06 Performance from a Base Vette

For years I spent time at various racetracks, auto shows, product launches and industry dinners all over the world with Dave Hill, not talking about what he planned to do with the 2004 Cadillac XLR and 2005 Chevrolet Corvette.

I mean, I watched an endless stream of auto writers trying to trick or badger GMs vehicle line executive for performance cars into spilling the engineering beans early and saw each and every one of them rebuffed with a wry, wait-and-see smile.

Hill would sometimes talk in general terms to me about his aim for both cars, which share a common architecture, and thats when Id see the steely determination that he is capable of and get excited about what the automobiles would be like. He would also be specific about the Corvette and promise a comprehensive upgrade, which always sounded like quite a challenge for a car that already had genuine world-class status.

Well, nothing short of world-class excellence was what Hill had in mind, the kind of excellence that stands second to no other companys.

When I would hear these things early in GMs renaissance, I would often apply salt as required. But I also appreciated

The Corvettes "comprehensive upgrade" is finally unveiled. (Photo: General Motors)

Well, now there are lots of people who would argue that the Cadillac XLR stands second to no other luxury roadster anywhere, especially in terms of style, stance and quality, and I am one of them.

That tended to make me think the next Corvette -- the C6, for sixth generation -- would be just as persuasive a product, and now that Ive seen it and been given prodigious amounts of background exposure to it, I am no longer in any doubt.

The key rumors are true -- the C6 Corvette Coupe is smaller and leaner, the engine is a 6-liter V8 and its performance ratings are huge, the look is sleeker and more European, its every-day livability is improved, and the signature hidden headlamps end their run after 33 years.

Hill and his folks have tried to build a

Nothing short of world class exellence was what Hill wanted for the famous Corvette brand. (Photo: General Motors)

Listen to Hill on the subject and see if you dont understand the feeling of determination that I got in our conversations: "Our goal is to create a Corvette that does more things well than any performance car. Weve thoroughly improved performance and developed new features and capabilities in many areas, while at the same time systematically searching out and destroying every imperfection we could find." Makes you glad youre not the cause of some wind noise or something, doesnt it?

Having said all that, I understand that I risk sounding sadly sensible when I talk about value in a sportscar, so let me add quickly that the C6 is also very attractive and likely to be very, very quick.

The C6 Corvette Coupe is smaller and leaner, the engine is a 6-liter V8 and its performance ratings are huge. (Photo: General Motors)