The Chevrolet Corvette (C6) is a sports car that was produced by Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 2005 to 2013 model years. The sixth generation Corvette is the first with exposed headlamps since the 1962 model. Production variants include the Z06, ZR1, Grand Sport, and 427 Convertible. Racing variants include the C6.R, an American Le Mans Series GT1 championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Pro winner.
The Corvette C6 featured new bodywork with exposed headlamps, revised suspension geometry, a larger passenger compartment, a larger 6.0 L (364 cu in; 5967 cc) engine and a higher level of refinement. It is 5.1 inches (13 cm) shorter than the C5, but the wheelbase was increased by 1.2 inches (3 cm). It is also one inch (2.5 cm) narrower. The 6.0 L LS2 V8 produces 400 hp (298 kW) at 6000 rpm and 400 lb⋅ft (542 N⋅m) of torque at 4400 rpm. Like the C5, the Corvette C6’s suspension consisted of independent unequal-length double wishbones with transverse fiberglass mono-leaf springs and optional magnetorheological dampers.
With an automatic transmission, the Corvette achieves 15 mpg‑US (16 L/100 km; 18 mpg‑imp) / 25 mpg‑US (9.4 L/100 km; 30 mpg‑imp) mpg (city/highway); the manual-transmission model gets 16 mpg‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg‑imp) / 26 mpg‑US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg‑imp) mpg. The Corvette’s manual transmission is fitted with Computer Aided Gear Shifting (CAGS), obligating the driver to shift from 1st directly to 4th when operating at lower RPM. This boosts the EPA’s derived fuel economy thus allowing the buyer to avoid paying the “gas guzzler” tax. GM badges were added to the car in 2006.
Beginning with the 2008 model year, the Corvette received a new engine, the LS3. With displacement increased to 6.2 liters (376 cu in; 6162 cc), power was increased to 430 hp (321 kW) at 6500 rpm and 424 lb⋅ft (575 N⋅m) of torque at 4600 rpm, or 436 hp (325 kW) and 428 lb⋅ft (580 N⋅m) with the optional vacuum actuated valve exhaust. The previous Tremec T56 transmission on manual Corvettes was replaced with a new version, the TR6060, in model year 2008. Manual Corvettes have improved shift linkage; the automatic model is set up for quicker shifts, and (according to Chevrolet) goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, faster than any other production automatic Corvette. From 2008 onward, steering was revised for improved feel and the wheels were updated to a new five-spoke design. The last Corvette C6, a white 427 convertible, was completed on February 28, 2013.
