2003 Chevrolet Corvette

Corvette says "fast" in any language. But for the '03 model year, it'll also mean "smoother ride." Even for its 50th-anniversary year, GM hasn't messed with the C5's looks or powertrains all that much. The news is a technologically advanced damping system that provides body and wheel control verging on that of a fully active suspension.

This technology, developed by GM Research and supplier Delphi Corporation, is called Magnetic Selective Ride Control, or F55. A version of it is already found in the '02 Cadillac Seville STS, and MSRC will be fitted to the upcoming XLR roadster. A rotary switch on the console allows the driver to select Tour and Sport modes. Corvette engineers told us that the Sport setting (they call it "ground hook") is strictly for ultra-smooth racetracks. On Germany's bumpy, challenging Nuerburgring circuit--an increasingly popular suspension-development venue--they report that the F55-equipped Corvette is actually quicker in the Tour mode.

Sensors monitoring wheel position, lateral acceleration, vehicle-speed, steering-wheel angle, and brake-pedal angle talk to a powerful computer that sends electrical energy to special magneto-rheological fluid inside the shocks. Increasing the power (up to 5 amps) thickens the fluid as it goes though a small electro-magnetic ring. These shocks don't contain conventional valves.

We drove base-suspension, F51-sport suspension, and F55 MagneRide-equipped Corvettes back to back on a brutal durability loop at GM's Michigan Proving Ground. On corduroy-like-surfaced bends that had the standard cars going wide of the cornering line and activating their stability- control systems, the magnetic-ride Vette happily carved clean arcs. It glided across 100-mph bumps that had the regular underpinnings rebounding awkwardly at the top and bottom of suspension travel.

The F55 suspension will be standard on 50th Anniversary models and optional on all other Corvettes (except the Z06). It's estimated to cost around $1500.