 Video highlights of this vehicle
What Is It?
2005 Chevrolet Corvette
What's Special About It?
As the sixth-generation of an American legend, the 2005 Corvette (C6) has big shoes to fill. The previous model set new standards for performance and refinement that left little room for improvement, but the Corvette's engineering team looks to have raised the bar once again.
Nowhere is this more obvious than under the hood where you'll find a 6.0-liter small-block V8 that delivers an impressive 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Hooked to either a six-speed manual or heavy-duty four-speed automatic, the LS2 engine not only belts out serious horsepower, it's also able to deliver a combined city/highway mileage rating of 22 mpg — try managing that in a Viper.
Built on an all-new chassis shared with the Cadillac XLR, the C6 shares only a handful of parts with its predecessor. Dimensionally, it's five inches shorter, an inch narrower and sports a one-inch-longer wheelbase than the previous version, while its curb weight remains unchanged. Three different suspensions will be offered: base, F55 and Z51. The F55 setup makes use of the Magnetically Selective Ride Control first introduced on the 50th Anniversary Corvette in 2003. The Z51 high-performance package includes more aggressive springs, shocks and stabilizer bars along with cross-drilled brake rotors for performance similar to the current Z06 model.
Often criticized for its bland, low-quality interior, the C6 sports a considerably more modern look, but those hoping for a truly upscale cabin may still come away disappointed. The seats have been improved with additional levels of adjustment while the gauges that looked so good before remain true to their mission. Improved materials quality and colors add some visual punch and new features like a DVD navigation system and satellite radio make it a worthier road-tripper. All in all, it's a nice step up from the previous car that most buyers are sure to appreciate.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Attempting to improve upon one of the world's best sports cars is no small task, but Chevrolet appears to have met the challenge. It may not be a dramatic departure in terms of styling, but the sheer number of improvements under the skin promises to deliver performance that will solidify the Corvette's standing as one of the world's best. We would have liked to have said the same thing about the car's interior, but it looks like we'll have to wait for the C7 for that. — Ed Hellwig
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