What crosses your mind when the heads-up display shows 63 mph and you're still in second gear has nothing to do with the torque and ferocious power in the 2008 Corvette. Instead, you wonder what anyone would do with even more ponies that come in the Z06 edition. Of course, Corvettes have always spooled up an impressive amount of power. But historically, it's been about as tractable as a hammer. Truth is, Corvettes have been terrible sports cars for most of their existence: unpredictable chassis flex, crude suspension for the power and hurry-up-and-wait engine response.
No more. Beginning with the C5, Chevrolet got serious about bringing harmony and responsiveness to the brute. The car began winning sports-car races. It also began winning converts who have long dismissed it as a glorified muscle car. The 2008 edition of the C6 has more power (430 hp) and torque (424 lb.-ft.). The linkage on its six-speed transmission is much (and gratefully) improved, making for shorter and easier-to-find throws. But it's the car's suspension that will take away your breath.
The road course on GM's storied Proving Grounds throws everything imginable at a car, including off-camber turns with chatter bumps that would bounce a lesser sports car into the ditch at speeds over 80 mph. The Corvette stayed planted. Dial in late on a turn, and the car's traction control would take away the party with the minimal amount of interference. Our test model didn't get five minutes of respite from a half day of the hardest driving imaginable, yet there wasn't even a hint of brake fade by late afternoon. Next up for Corvette: please upgrade the cheesy interior.
Via Wired
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