Unveiled: Powerful New 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
Date posted: 05-03-2007
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DETROIT — With an all-new C7 Corvette still at least five years away from Chevrolet showrooms, the bow-tie folks have elected to speed some key midcycle changes to market for model-year 2008.
The most significant upgrade is a new LS3 6.2-liter V8 on the base '08 Corvette coupe and convertible. The small-block V8 makes 430 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque, compared with 400 hp and 400 lb-ft on the LS2 6.0-liter V8 that powers the '07 Vette. Chevy also is offering an optional dual-mode exhaust system with freer breathing at wide-open throttle; a fringe benefit is a modest bump in output, to 436 hp and 428 lb-ft.
Chevy says the LS3 with the six-speed paddle-shift transmission is the fastest automatic Vette ever, capable of dashing from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 190 mph.
That's getting mighty close to Z06 territory — impressive, considering that the über-Vette features a massive 7.0-liter LS7 V8 that makes 505 hp. The 0-60-mph sprint in the 2008 Z06 takes 3.7 seconds, with terminal velocity reaching 198 mph.
While the biggest changes for '08 are under the hood, Chevrolet also has dressed up the Corvette's cockpit. A new option package bundles two-tone leather-wrapped upper and lower instrument panel, door pads and seats with padded armrests, and the Corvette's signature crossed-flags logo embroidered on the headrests.
Mechanical tweaks include improved shifts on both the six-speed automatic and manual transmissions, improved steering feel and the availability of a 2.73 performance axle ratio on the Z51 package.
A split-spoke wheel design is also new for '08, as are two new exterior colors: Jetstream Blue Metallic Tintcoat and Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat.
What this means to you: We're all for more displacement and power — Detroit's traditional answer to increased competition from abroad.
