New Car Overview of the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Sports Car

Description: Sports Car
Base MSRP Range: $43,445 - $51,445
Invoice Price Range: $38,014 - $45,014
Where built: USA

Chevy's svelte two-seat sports car shows up in the 2005 line on a new platform with coupe and convertible versions. There's a sportier posture for the next Corvette as designers lop five inches off the length and an inch in width. There's edgy body styling apparent too with always-visible headlamps on a pointed prow with xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps.

And beneath the hood this 'Vette stocks a new LS2 V8 engine pumping 400-hp. Top speed climbs to 186-mph, making this the fastest production model ever.

New Corvette rolls on larger wheels and tires (18-inchers up front but 19s in back), with stronger brakes and a range of sophisticated chassis control systems available including three different suspension settings.

The standard gearbox is a Tremec T56 six-speed manual, with an upgraded Hydra-Matic 4L65-E 4-speed automatic optional.

The coupe has a removable roof panel on top, while the convertible's five-layer fabric lid operates manually or with optional power controls. An AM/FM stereo radio with CD deck and MP3 capability drops into Corvette's revamped cockpit, which contains form-fitting sport bucket seats divided by a front-to-rear console.