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The solutions proffered to Chevrolet’s plummeting sales in the '50s birthed the legendary Corvette. The car was seen for the first time as a show car for the General Motors Motorama held at the New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in January 1953. An instant favorite among the car enthusiasts at the show, Corvette was swiftly lined up for production, with the then Chevrolet general manager Thomas Keating announcing it’ll be production-ready in less than a year. This event signaled the emergence of the Corvette automotive dynasty.
Currently, the Corvette is in its 8th production generation, and it has evolved from its relatively humble beginning to become one of the world’s most coveted two-door, two-passenger luxury sports cars. For the flurry of amazing features and attributes it ushered in, the fifth-generation Corvette is quite significant in the evolution of the model. Popularly known as C5, here are some of these features and attribute we love about the iconic fifth-generation Corvette.
10 Potent Engine Options
The C5 was launched in 1996 with an all-new 5.7-liter LS1 V8, an improved version of the 5.7-liter V8 engine powering the preceding C4 generation. The engine had an initial output of 345 horsepower, which was later boosted to 350 horsepower in 2001. There is also the LS6 variant introduced in 2001 with an output of 385 horsepower.
Notably, the C5 adopted the 4L60-E automatic transmission from the preceding models, while a Borg-Warner T-56 6-speed replaced the manual transmission option, earning it a top speed of about 175 mph.
9 Competitive Performance
Performance numbers are bragging rights for most performance-oriented vehicles, and the C5 didn’t let its enthusiasts down in that regard. For its era, the C5 delivered quite impressive 0-60 mph acceleration times in comparison to several premium sports cars that include the Ferrari 355 and the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage.
For the C5s equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, the performance figures for the base-model coupe and convertible show an acceleration from rest to 60 mph time of about 4.5 seconds and to a quarter-mile time of about 13.3 seconds, at 108 mph.
8 Improved Handling
The C5 is optimized for improved handling in comparison with the preceding Corvette models. Unlike what is obtainable in the C4, the C5’s transmission was repositioned, thereby forming an integrated, rear-mounted transaxle assembly. This new transmission position when connected to the all-new LS1 engine gives an engine/transmission setup of 50% to 50% front-rear weight distribution.
For driving enthusiasts, a balanced distribution of weight is an enthralling automotive attribute as it ensures great cornering, proper grip, as well as improved acceleration and deceleration.
7 Body Style Options
Chevrolet left its enthusiasts spoiled for choice with the available options of body styles for the C5. In 2006, the first year the C5 model was offered, Chevrolet produced the car only as a fastback coupe. However, in the following year, the company released the convertible version for the 1998 model year.
Notably, the 1998 model was the first Corvette to be provided with a trunk space after the 1962 model. In 1998, for the 1999 model year lineup, Chevrolet added the hardtop as the third body style.
6 Drive-By-Wire Throttle
Drive-by-wire throttle is another feature that makes the C5 such an alluring car. Also, the model was the first Corvette to use this technology, and it generally entails the adoption of electrical or electro-mechanical systems in performing vehicular tasks that were hitherto performed through mechanical linkages.
Specifically, in a drive-by-wire throttle system, the throttle plate’s movement is optimized by combining accelerator-position signal with parameters like road speed, engine rpm, and coolant temperature, all for a smoother cruise even in diverse conditions.
5 Impressive Fuel Economy
Corvettes are generally considered high-performance luxury sports cars. As such, and as generally expected of high-performance cars, fuel economy has always been a problem for the sports car. However, in contrast, the C5 has quite a good fuel economy when compared to other Corvette models.
With an automatic transmission, it has an EPA rating of 18 mpg and 25 mpg for city and highway respectively, while it is rated at 19 mpg and 28 mpg for the manual variant. Consequently, the favorable EPA rating earned the C5 a comparatively lower tax.
4 Lightweight
There are several factors responsible for the C5’s amazing fuel economy, and one of them is the model’s relatively lighter weight in comparison to the Corvette models that precede it. Notably, the C5 has quite a low curb weight of 3,300 lbs which was achieved by the adoption of a myriad of weight-saving measures.
One of these measures was to delete the C5’s spare tire, choosing instead to fit the model with run-flat tires. It also adopted lightweight components such as modular body panels and aluminum LS1 overhead valve engine, among others.
3 Pop-Up Headlights
As kids growing up back in the days, several car features fascinated us. Some of these include the mechanism of retraction observed in convertible roofs, as well as pop-up headlights. Notably, pop-up headlights were indeed quite fascinating. Sensationally introduced at the 1935 New York Auto show with the Cord 810, pop-up headlights, however didn’t gain mainstream adoption until the '60s.
The design was adopted by several companies including Ferrari, Porsche, and Lotus. Significantly, the C5 along with Lotus Esprit V8 became the last cars to be offered with pop-up headlights.
2 Heads-Up Display
We also love the C5’s heads-up display. Introduced on the Corvette model in 1999, the heads-up display projects important driving information on the windshield. The heads-up display helps drivers to keep abreast of vital vehicular information while staying focused on the road ahead.
Some of the information that is displayed includes the rpm, mph, fuel gauge, and the likes. Also, the C5 heads-up display system has a control used to change the information being displayed and to adjust the height of the projection.
1 Affordability
For its amazing performance prowess and awesome features, the C5 was quite affordable in comparison with other rival brands in its era. The introductory 1997 C5 was sold for $37,495 while the next two models were sold below the $40,000 price mark. Thereafter, the year 2000 Corvette C5 was sold for a little above $40,000 while the next two models sold for $41,475 and $42,450, respectively.
However, special C5 models were sold in 2004 for about $46,000. Notably, the C5 has great resale value, and a decent example can be acquired for as low as $10,000.