Crystal Ball: 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
Independent Thinking
As with the C5's underpinnings, the new C6's reengineered suspension will be a fully independent short-and-long arm type, composed of forged- and cast-aluminum pieces with computer-designed bushings. The lower arms will be heavily bushed into the front and rear subframe brackets and the upper arms will attach to a meaty section of the frame rail.
Chevy's sticking with the composite leaf springs that have been a Corvette mainstay for some time--for better or worse. Damping will be handled exclusively by magnetorheological shocks controlled by a high-speed computer via steering and body sensors. This should yield exceptional ride compliance, with the kind of tight body and wheel control enthusiast drivers appreciate. Like the best sports roadsters from Europe, the Corvette will be covering the driver's every move with an even more sophisticated version of the StabiliTrak active handling control system used in the XLR.
Hauling a Vette down from speed is as important as going and turning. In this case, the C6's Brembo braking will consist of massive, vented four-wheel discs augmented by traction control and a new anti-lock system that we predict will help the standard Vette consistently nail stops of just under 110 feet.
That's what we know so far. The C5 was an enormous leap forward over the previous-generation ('84-'96) Corvette. Many of that car's structural, ride, and handling problems were solved the last time around.
The C6 will move the needle almost as far, but not through radical engineering change. Instead, improvements will come via careful refinement of the existing powertrain and chassis architecture. Its performance should be a match for all but the most expensive competitors--and not just in a straight line, but through the corners or when coming to a stop. The new exterior design will reach far ahead of the handsome, yet conservative, C5 appearance. And the interior should finally offer something better than you'd find at the bargain end of the rental fleet.
Long live the all-American Corvette.