'97 Vette Hits A NerveI've just finished reading your article on the new C5 Vette (Feb. '97). One word sums it all up: Wow! Not only does it blow away the previous C4 models, but it outperforms cars twice its price. With more power available from the LS1 engine in future years, no supercar will be safe from the sub-$50,000 American icon.Joseph A. HallVogelwegh, Germanyvia Motor Trend Online
As an avid Mustang fan, I'd have to say I was a bit reluctant to open the February issue to see the new Corvette. Judging from its previous redesigns, I was sure not to like what I was about to see. Much to my surprise, I find myself giving the C5 Corvette two thumbs up. I must compliment the design team for coming up with such a great package. It looks fabulous from every angle, complete with a much improved interior, road-hugging handling, and stout engine. We'll have to wait and see if the new Corvette will put a dent in the Saleen/Allen success on the SCCA circuit.Francois Di MarzioNorth York, Ontario, Canada
You just had to get that last dig in.-Ed.
Well, I have to congratulate Chevrolet on the job it did on the Corvette's mechanical aspects. The chassis is state of the art, and the engine is sweet. Too bad they had to cover it with just about the worst-looking Corvette body ever to come off a computer screen.
It looks as if the Chevy designers cut and pasted parts of an RX-7, NSX, and even GM's own Firebird! A few words of advice to those responsible: Start redesigning now because the chassis alone won't sell the Corvette. Oh, and next time, show some guts, guys.Eric BertrandEmbrun, Ontario, Canadavia Motor Trend Online
My family owns a '95 Corvette, and I can assure you that after reading your article, we're itching to test drive the '97. Hats off to GM. This is a truly beautiful machine. Any area of the Vette that could have been improved was.Wes RobertsonWashougal, Wash.
Being a true Corvette fan has been somewhat hard during the last few years. There's been nothing to look forward to since the introduction of the ZR-1 in late 1989. Probably, much like you guys at Motor Trend, I didn't think that the new Corvette could be a good replacement for the king of the hill. Also I figured that the 0-60-mph time would be the usual low five-second range that numerous cars are capable of getting close to.
It seems that if a car can't hit 60 mph in less than five seconds, then it's not a true world-class sports car. That's why I fell out of my seat when I saw the 4.7-second 0-60-mph time and 13.3-second quarter mile. I thought I couldn't be surprised much more until I saw the luggage capacity of the new car. But the real heart-stopping surprise was that you don't have to pop bones out of place to get in to your fiberglass chariot anymore. Cheers to Chevrolet, and sign me up for a convertible.Thomas RistBeckley, W. Va.via Motor Trend Online
You didn't look forward to the LT4-powered Grand Sport?-Ed.
The new Corvette is a nice car, but I think the designers at Chevy got a little carried away in the wind tunnel. They could improve the styling a little bit and sacrifice a little more wind drag. The people at Chevrolet had better pray, however, that the Dodge designers don't go to the wind tunnel that much. If a car with as much power as a Viper GTS had a very low wind drag, it would be certain death for the Corvette.Justin RivetCincinnati, Ohiovia Motor Trend Online
When will GM wake up and build a big-block Corvette again? GM should be ashamed. With 450 horsepower and quarter-mile times in the low 12s, the Viper kicks its butt. GM had an all-aluminum big-block in the '60s. So what's stopping them now?Joe ArcuriPrinceton, N.J.via Motor Trend Online
What's stopping them is, mainly, the gas-guzzler tax, which GM brass has decreed none of their cars will pay. The Viper currently carries a $2600 guzzler penalty. But we'd guess there are more than a few people who'd gladly pay the extra bucks for more power.-Ed.
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