2005 Corvette – Vette-net

Pricing: $44,245 (Coupe), $52,245 (Convertible)

Engine options: 346CI (6.0L), 400HP (LS2)

Transmission: 4-speed automatic, 6 speed manual

Units produced: 37,372

Top Speed: 186 MPH (factory declared)

Available colors: Arctic White, LeMans Blue, Precision Red, Torch Red, Black, Velocity Yellow, Machine Silver, Daytona Sunset Orange, Victory Red, Millenium Yellow, Monterey Red, Magnetic Red

Highlights of This Year:
The 2005 Corvette was the first model to feature exposed headlights since the 1962 model. It used Xenon high intensity discharge low-beam projector lenses, and tungsten-halogen high-beam projectors under clear polycarbonate covers. The covers also included parking lights, side-turn markers and daytime running lights, all set into body-color housings.

The car is capable of 186 mph (300 km/h), faster than any production Corvette in history. It reaches zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds, and in 4.1 seconds with the optional Z51 Performance Package, and covers the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds at 114 mph (183 km/h).

The standard engine for 2005 Corvettes was the 400 horsepower LS2, a 4th generation Chevy small block engine. The engine displacement increased from 346 cubic inches (5.7 liters) to 364 cubic inches (6.0 liters) by enlarging the bore from 3.9 inches to 4.0 inches. The LS2 featured numerous refinements including increased camshaft lift, a higher compression ratio (10.9:1), lighter exhaust manifolds and a wingless aluminum oil pan that improved oil control during high G-force driving while reducing oil capacity from 6.5 to 5.5 quarts with filter. Redline for the LS2 was 6,500rpm, compared to the LS1’s 6,000rpm.

For both the coupe and convertible models (including Corvettes equipped with the Z51 option), a number of other first-time options were presented to consumers looking to purchase a 2005 Corvette including General Motors useful OnStar system and an optional XM satellite radio. Torso side airbags were offered as standard equipment on convertibles but was only available on coupes as part of the 1SA Preferred Equipment Package that also included perforated leather upholstery, a six-way power passenger seat, and a cargo net and cover. An upgraded 1SB Preferred Equipment Package group added heated seats, a seat memory system, power telescopic steering-wheel adjustment, Bose audio with a six-dish, in-dash CD player, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a new, three-way heads-up display.

Despite all of its improvements – and in spite of the price, which scarcely changed from the 2004 model – sales of the new 2005 Corvette were, perhaps, not quite as earth-shattering as GM had hoped. A total of 37,372 Corvettes were sold in 2005, which included 26,728 coupes and a mere 10,644 convertibles. Still, the executives at Chevrolet noted the increase in overall sales, and began planning for the long-term future of the C6. It would become a future laced with some of the most powerful/highest performing Corvettes

Photos of the 2005 Corvette: