Chevrolet Corvette 2008

ALTHOUGH the rumor mill has been churning with details about the 2010 C7 Corvette, don’t think Chevy is done with the C6 just yet. Introduced as a 2005 model, he 2008 C6 gets a sizeable mid-production-cycle mechanical makeover, along with a muchneeded tuneup of its touchy-feely bits. Its LS3 engine’s output will be upped to 430 horses at 5900 rpm and 424 pound-feet at 4600 rpm (previously 400 horses and 400 poundfeet) due to a bump in bore that raises the displacement from 6.0 to 6.2 liters. There’s nothing at all “boring” about the engine’s revamped heads, which include larger intake valves (diameters are up nine percent) and straighter intake ports akin to those in the LS7 and L92 engines, plus fivepercent-higher-lift intake cams. More air means more fuel, requiring the mighty Z06’s high-flow injection to pour in the juice. A new, acoustically tuned composite intake manifold with an integral sound-absorbing structure, caps the latest LS3, but if extra sound and fury are desired, an optional 2.5-inchdiameter two-mode exhaust amps the output to an eye-popping 436 horses and 428 poundfeet. Chevrolet claims 0-to-60 mph in 4.3 seconds and a scorching, 190-mph terminal speed. The 2008 revamp extends beyond the engine, including refined shift feel for the manual transmission and quicker gear-changes for the paddle-shift automatic (the latter now available with a 2.73:1 performance axle ratio). Steering system tweaks (a stiffer intermediate shaft, better calibration) should give its cornering finer articulation. You can spot a 2008 Vette by its new “splitspoke” aluminum wheels (standard) and optional
polished wheels, a revised treatment of the center stack, metal-finished door sills, and an optional two-tone leather interior (including the dash). Jetstream Blue has replaced Le Mans Blue, and Crystal Red displaces Monterey Red. Green with Envy is now the official name of all previous-C6 Corvette owners.

TOP 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2008 CORVETTE

1. 6.2-liter engine replaces previous LS2’s 6.0-liter, now has 430 horses or 436 horses with the two-mode exhaust.
2. Bigger intake valves and higherlift-intake cams improve inhalation.
3. Z06’s bigger-capacity fuel injection has been commandeered.
4. Manual transmission is slickershifting; paddle-shift automatic is faster-acting.
5. Steering feel is further refined.
6. New split-spoke wheels are now standard; polished wheels are optional.
7. Interior is freshened with revised center-stack design and brushed-aluminum accents.
8. Upgrade interior offers two-tone leather dash, seats, and doors panels.
9. Now even the “regular” Corvette can hit 190 mph.
10. Expected on sale in late August.