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2005 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 Road Test

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Putting American Muscle Back on Top

The Chevrolet Corvette has been Americas iconic two-seat sports car since its 1953 introduction. For 2005, a sixth generation of the oft under-appreciated domestic muscle machine has been deployed to do battle with anything ferocious enough to compete with its 400- horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Thats what the stock Vette is now discharging from beneath its long, sculpted hood, thanks to a new 6.0-liter (364 cu in) OHV V8.

That abundance of muscle is channeled through either a four-speed autobox or six-speed manual mixer. Burdened by only 3,179 pounds of curb weight, the 05 Corvette is shockingly fast, turning in 0 to 60 mph times, with the manual box, of only 4.3 short seconds.

Referred

For 2005, the sixth generation of the oft under-appreciated domestic muscle machine has been deployed. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

Referred to in automotive parlance as the C6, the 2005 Corvette is a substantially new vehicle over the C5 version. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) align="justify">The new headlight arrangements and nose styling of the smaller Vette evoke images of a design perfected by a well-known Italian builder of premium performance machines - Ferrari. (I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery). Although I like the sleek, fluid lines of the C6, I wonder whether its an improvement over the C5s aggressive, testosterone-induced styling or merely a Europeanization of it.

Although Chevy also revised the interior of the Corvette

Build quality and material selection are better than in any other Vette that has rolled off the production line in Bowling Green, Kentucky. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

for 2005, its theme remains loyal to that established by the C5. Build quality and material selection, however, are reportedly better than in any other Vette that has rolled off the production line in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Almost all C6 interior surfaces provide a pleasant tactile experience, which nicely complements the visual reward served up by the outstanding gauge cluster in the performance-oriented cockpit. Prominently placed directly ahead of the driver is a wonderfully large analog tachometer, twinned by a matching speedometer. Each of these bright, easy-to-read units is

Unless under hard acceleration, the two-valve-per-cylinder pushrod LS2 small-block V8 goes about its business with reasonable civility. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

flanked by two smaller analog gauges, measuring fuel, oil pressure, coolant temperature and volts.

Climbing aboard the C6 has been made easier by a more vertical windscreen design and a repositioned header above the windscreen. Once the derriere finds a resting spot, the driver becomes effectively coupled to the seat with the use of adjustable side bolsters that hug tighter than Aunt Maude on New Years eve. With the seatbelt snugged and a left foot braced firmly against the solid dead pedal, the Corvette becomes an extension of its drivers body, uniting man, mind and machine in the common pursuit of extraordinary performance.

That

Outlandish performance thresholds define the C6 Corvette, especially when the Z51 performance-handling package is selected. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

performance begins with the push of a dash-mounted button. Firing up the Corvettes brute of a powerplant is accompanied by the obligatory deep-throated growl of American performance iron. Unless under hard acceleration, the two-valve-per-cylinder pushrod LS2 small-block V8 goes about its business with reasonable civility. But open it up and its inescapable, intimidating guttural roar will rattle the knees of import worshipers.