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Corvette is a supercar that's ready to rumble
Here's a power trip that's relatively cheap at $52,000, and it's fun
By Larry Printz Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
Published on Sunday, Oct 14, 2007
There are cars you drive because you have to, and there are cars you drive because you can't help yourself.
The latter would include the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette, a car that captures the imagination and invites a far different stare than a Toyota Corolla.
Style is lithe yet large, with a swooping beltline that hearkens to the very first Corvette. The hood is a sea of sensuous curves, the fenders and hood bulging with promise of insane servings of power and speed.
Still, the Corvette is a cheap date for a supercar. And is it ever a supercar.
Hit the starter button and the 6-liter V8 rumbles to life, delivering 400 horsepower to the rear wheels through a six-speed transmission, manual or automatic with shift paddles that allow for manual shifting.
Hit first gear and, before you know it, you'll be going 30 mph. You'll hit 75 mph in second gear. There's so much power, the only analogy one can make comes from the aerospace industry.
Despite that, it's also surprisingly fuel efficient, returning about the same mileage as a Toyota Camry with a V6 engine. Drive it carefully and you'll get 25 mpg. Otherwise, you may have to settle for 16-18 mpg. You don't even have to use premium unleaded, although GM recommends that you do.
The steering has a hefty, burly feel that telegraphs the car's intentions. Driving through corners, the 'Vette remains flat, with a ton of grip from the meaty 19-inch rear wheels. But if you prefer making the tail dance through corners, you'll find the Corvette a most enjoyable dance partner.
But there's more to this car's goodness than its rumbling, muscular athleticism.
There's a surfeit of amenities: XM satellite radio, Bose audio system, GPS navigation system, heated leather seats, power tilt-telescopic steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted radio controls, and selective ride control which varies the firmness of the ride. Many more are available. My favorite is the optional head-up display, which projects the speed onto the windshield in front of the driver. It helps prevent you from getting carried away in this car.
Unfortunately, those luxuries are housed in a functional interior that fails to arouse the senses the way the rest of the car does. The instrument panel's unremarkable design is just plain boring.
The test car sent by General Motors, a convertible, featured an optional power top that is easy to open, but can be hard to pull shut. Luggage space is decent with the top up, marginal with it down.
The car's starting price is just over $52,000. But its performance is identical to that of the coupe which starts at under $45,000.
Considering this bad boy can run with cars three times the price, any Corvette is a bargain.
And that gives the Corvette its powerful allure: supercar looks and performance at a Chevrolet price.
Here's a power trip that's relatively cheap at $52,000, and it's fun
By Larry Printz Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
Published on Sunday, Oct 14, 2007
There are cars you drive because you have to, and there are cars you drive because you can't help yourself.
The latter would include the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette, a car that captures the imagination and invites a far different stare than a Toyota Corolla.
Style is lithe yet large, with a swooping beltline that hearkens to the very first Corvette. The hood is a sea of sensuous curves, the fenders and hood bulging with promise of insane servings of power and speed.
Still, the Corvette is a cheap date for a supercar. And is it ever a supercar.
Hit the starter button and the 6-liter V8 rumbles to life, delivering 400 horsepower to the rear wheels through a six-speed transmission, manual or automatic with shift paddles that allow for manual shifting.
Hit first gear and, before you know it, you'll be going 30 mph. You'll hit 75 mph in second gear. There's so much power, the only analogy one can make comes from the aerospace industry.
Despite that, it's also surprisingly fuel efficient, returning about the same mileage as a Toyota Camry with a V6 engine. Drive it carefully and you'll get 25 mpg. Otherwise, you may have to settle for 16-18 mpg. You don't even have to use premium unleaded, although GM recommends that you do.
The steering has a hefty, burly feel that telegraphs the car's intentions. Driving through corners, the 'Vette remains flat, with a ton of grip from the meaty 19-inch rear wheels. But if you prefer making the tail dance through corners, you'll find the Corvette a most enjoyable dance partner.
But there's more to this car's goodness than its rumbling, muscular athleticism.
There's a surfeit of amenities: XM satellite radio, Bose audio system, GPS navigation system, heated leather seats, power tilt-telescopic steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted radio controls, and selective ride control which varies the firmness of the ride. Many more are available. My favorite is the optional head-up display, which projects the speed onto the windshield in front of the driver. It helps prevent you from getting carried away in this car.
Unfortunately, those luxuries are housed in a functional interior that fails to arouse the senses the way the rest of the car does. The instrument panel's unremarkable design is just plain boring.
The test car sent by General Motors, a convertible, featured an optional power top that is easy to open, but can be hard to pull shut. Luggage space is decent with the top up, marginal with it down.
The car's starting price is just over $52,000. But its performance is identical to that of the coupe which starts at under $45,000.
Considering this bad boy can run with cars three times the price, any Corvette is a bargain.
And that gives the Corvette its powerful allure: supercar looks and performance at a Chevrolet price.
