The Corvette has been General Motors flagship for some time now. It has always sported the best performance that Chevrolet had to offer that not only enables it to be a power hungry monster, but also enables it to be a sleek roadster to take to shows and drive on Sunday.
At the 2004 SEMA show they unveiled two show cars that captured the audience. These two Corvettes are the concepts of what is to come in the future of Corvette. The 2005 “Corvette Show & Go” is the platform for new performance parts. This new concept comprises of a list of new features such as:
- LS2 V-8 with CNC-machined cylinder heads that increase engine’s horsepower from standard 400 to approximately 425 hp
- Short-throw shifter for the six-speed manual transmission
- Modified Z51 suspension with heavier spring rates, larger diameter anti-roll bars, adjustable dampers and high-rate bushings
- Cross-drilled brake rotors
- Modified production seats
- Aluminum door sill plates and touch points for shifter and parking brake
- Custom mesh screens for side coves, exhaust system and grille
- High-tech interior trim components
- Carbon fiber trim for:
- Underhood components
- Hood with center-section rise
- Exterior mirrors
- Rocker panel extensions
- Rear wing
With all of these highlights the new 2005 “Corvette Show & Go” has sparked some controversy with the styling cues of this powerhouse. Some people feel that the deck lid spoiler may be a touch on the “import” side; however with this being said the current C5R has its own deck lid spoiler. Only time, the public, and GM will tell the future of the Corvette. It will be very interesting to see what GM releases to production.
The counter part to the high performance competition version of the 2005 Corvette was the “Corvette Convertible Street Appearance” which added the convertible concept to the Corvette line-up. This sixth-generation corvette is considered to be the “benchmark” for 2005. This concept not only adds power, but it also has additions to its style, and comfort. Some of the vehicle highlights consist of:
- LS2 V-8 with custom air box and CNC-machined cylinder heads that increase the engine’s horsepower to approximately 425
- Short-throw shifter for the six-speed manual transmission; shifter is topped with an aluminum shift knob
- Aluminum parking brake handle complements new look of shifter
- Suspension dropped to lowest level recommended by factory specifications
- Free-flow exhaust system engineered by Borla Performance Industries
- Storage options increase with addition of pouches behind front seats
- Rear-mounted CD/DVD system facilitates inclusion of a DVD-based navigation system
- 10-spoke polished aluminum wheels
- Body-colored engine trim covers
- Body-colored interior trim pieces
- Aluminum door sill plates
- Functional wind screen / blocker
- Tasteful body stripe
General Motors has created two concepts for the 2005 model year that not only improve horsepower, but introduces new styling and comfort that will appeal any sports car enthusiast.
Jacob Niese |
