Dream Machine
The redesigned Chevrolet Corvette sets a standard for ultra high-performance

The new Corvette has a muscular and aggressive appearance.		Chevrolet Corvette Engine: Pushrod 16-valve Displacement: 5.7 liters Horsepower: 345 @5600 Torque: 350 bhp @4400 Drivetrain(s): 4 speed automatic (standard) 6 speed manual (optional) Wheelbase: 104.5 inches Cargo/Trunk space: 24.9 cu ft Fuel capacity: 19.1 gallon Base Price: $38,500
The Chevrolet Corvette has always stood as the ideal sports car -- American-style. With its big V-8 engine, rear wheel drive, and two seats, the Corvette has over time become a true icon.

Kentuckians should know that every Corvette that rolls off the assembly line does so out of a General Motors plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. That average-looking facility by I-65 now produces what is arguably the best value in ultrahigh performance, the fifth generation Corvette, or C5.

Many of the standard features of the new Corvette hark back to its origins: the high-output engine, the sculpted lines, great handling, etc. What continues is the four decades of heritage that is ingrained into the very soul of the car. Its styling cues, like the rear quad tail-lamps (early '60s to present) and glass fastback (mid '70s to present) were blended and updated into a wind-cheating shape for the upcoming millennium.

With the new body come so many changes and refinements that few components were shared from the version the C5 replaces. As the first Corvette to be totally redesigned from the ground up, the engineers at Chevy were able to address problems heard from current owners, one of the most frequent being that of too many squeaks and rattles. The redesign did away with nearly a third of the components used for assembly compared to the previous generation. The streamlined assembly process is a testament to GM's support for the car and the importance it has as a symbol of that company's ability to build a world-class product.

The new chassis has much to do with the tight feel of the car. Over four times stiffer than the previous version, thanks to a larger central backbone structure, the front and rear double-wishbones blend a fine level of performance and ride quality. To improve the ride and handling, larger wheels (17 inches up front with 18 inches on the back) were added and pushed out to the four comers, stretching the wheelbase over eight inches.

The run-flat designed Goodyear Eagle F1 GS Extended Mobility tires not only help boost skid-pad performance to a .93 g lateral acceleration, but save precious weight and space by eliminating the need for a spare tire. This and the reworked duel fuel tanks give the Corvette one of the larger storage areas (nearly 25 cubic feet) of any sports car.

Climbing inside the 'Vette no longer requires the skills of a contortionist or a follow-up visit to a chiropractor -- the leather power driver's seat, with its side bolsters and lumbar supports, is programmed to automatically move back when the car is parked. Larger footwells for both driver and passenger are welcome and the driver can appreciate the race-inspired pedals with dead pedal. The controls are mounted with easy-to-operate heating and A/C and a Bose radio system (with its automatically adjusting volume) rounds out the mix.

When the ignition is keyed, the instrument gauges come to life. Programmed to quickly register the speedometer and tachometer past the 190 m.p.h. and 7,000 r.p.m. limits, one knows that the potent 5.7 liter V-8 snarling under the hood means business. Mated to an optional Borg-Warner six-speed transmission, the car has plenty of leg to move. The standard 1-to-4 forced shifts, more applicable to slow-moving city driving, help keep the fuel economy respectable with a combined average mileage of 21 miles per gallon.

The V-8 is a work of art with its neck-breaking acceleration (reported timed runs of 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds, and a top speed of 175 mph) and stump-pulling torque (350 bhp). The engineers were able to do all this and still reduce the size and weight from before. The standard traction control keeps this power directed where it should, though the system can be deactivated by simply pushing a dash-mounted button.

To further the safety of the occupants, Chevy has put on one of the best braking systems available. The four-wheel anti-lock discs are huge and dependable with the ability to slow the big 'Vette down from 60-0 m.p.h. in less than 120 feet.

A true driver's car, the new C5 is an example of the dedication and determination that General Motors has brought to the table in an effort to extend one of the best-known automotive sporting heritages. The new Corvette should continue to keep winning hearts and making dreams well into the future.

Chris Taylor is managing director for The Lane Report and an auto enthusiast.

Inset: Route 66 Redux -- An auto enthusiast's week with the new Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

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