click above image to view our first drive of the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
Torque is good! More torque is better. For anyone who likes to drive, an engine with a stratospheric red-line is fun for a while, but a fat torque curve means acceleration is just a squeeze of the right pedal away. Compared to a Ferrari engine, GM's classic small block V-8 may seem crude and unsophisticated, but the latest variation is anything but. The basic architecture of the 2008 Corvette power-plant dates back to 1955, but aside from some of the basic dimensions, this is a whole new beast.
In the engine bay of the C6 Corvette, the new 6.2L LS3 V-8 now cranks out 430 HP @ 5,900 rpm and 424 lb-ft of twisting force @ 4,600 rpm. That's 25 hp more than the pricey and complex Lotus-designed LT5 in the old ZR-1, and the base price of this car starts at about $45K. At its 2008 model intro, GM offered up a base 'Vette with the six-speed manual gearbox to toss around. Find out what the latest version of America's oldest sports car is like after the jump, including a VIDEO.
Torque is good! More torque is better. For anyone who likes to drive, an engine with a stratospheric red-line is fun for a while, but a fat torque curve means acceleration is just a squeeze of the right pedal away. Compared to a Ferrari engine, GM's classic small block V-8 may seem crude and unsophisticated, but the latest variation is anything but. The basic architecture of the 2008 Corvette power-plant dates back to 1955, but aside from some of the basic dimensions, this is a whole new beast.
![](https://s.aolcdn.com/commerce/blogcdn/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/gm_vette-7_220.jpg)
The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.
click on any image to enlarge
![](https://s.aolcdn.com/commerce/blogcdn/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/gm_vette-14_opt.jpg)
It's actually been over a decade since I sampled a Corvette, having skipped over the C5 generation. The last 'Vette I drove was a late C4 model and the transformation over that time period is simply amazing. While C4 'Vettes had tremendous performance relative to competing models of the time, refinement was not part of the equation. From a functional standpoint, the biggest flaw of the C4 was a severe lack of structural integrity. The chassis flexed so much that it did most of the work allowing the wheels to follow the contours of the road, not the suspension.
![](https://s.aolcdn.com/commerce/blogcdn/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/gm_vette-8_220.jpg)
![](https://s.aolcdn.com/commerce/blogcdn/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/gm_vette-11_220.jpg)
![](https://s.aolcdn.com/commerce/blogcdn/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/gm_vette-6_220.jpg)
The shift quality of the six speed transaxle wouldn't qualify as silky, but the lever could be moved rapidly through the gates allowing us to make use of the surprisingly quick revving LS3. When the time came to stop, the 'Vette decelerated as though an anchor had been driven into the ground beneath it.
![](https://s.aolcdn.com/commerce/blogcdn/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/gm_vette-10_220.jpg)
The 2008 Chevrolet Corvette now has better performance than any previous iteration in a form that is actually usable without punishing the driver. This is the base model, people! Hopefully we'll soon get a chance to see what it's like to live with on day to day basis.
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