Corvette C5
| Chevrolet | |
|---|---|
 Corvette C5 Coupe
|
|
| C5 | |
| Sales designation: | Corvette |
| Production period: | 1997-2004 |
| Class : | Sports car |
| Body versions : | Coupé , convertible |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 5.7 liters (257–303 kW) |
| Length: | 4570 mm |
| Width: | 1870 mm |
| Height: | 1200 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2660 mm |
| Empty weight : | 1400-1500 kg |
| Previous model | Corvette C4 |
| successor | Corvette C6 |
The Corvette C5 is the fifth generation of the US sports car series .
The market launch of the fifth Corvette was planned for 1993 for the 40th anniversary, but the presentation was delayed due to internal problems at General Motors, among other things . For these reasons, Chevrolet only presented the successor to the Corvette C4 , which had been built since spring 1983, on January 6, 1997 . On March 7, 1997, GM officially began shipments and sales.
Although the classic configuration as a two-seater coupé with a removable roof, an eight-cylinder engine installed in the front and rear-wheel drive was retained, the new Corvette was completely redesigned. In the history of the Corvette, the C5 was the first newly developed model, as parts from other GM models had previously been used. The “Fifth Generation” therefore got a completely new design, a new frame, a new 350 HP engine made of aluminum alloy and a new chassis. In addition, higher quality materials were used and the quality of workmanship improved.
The C5 was produced until the beginning of 2004 and was replaced by the successor Corvette C6 a year later .
Awards
In 1998 the Corvette C5 was voted "Car of the Year" in the USA. In the same year the C5 was named “ North American Car of the Year ” at the “ North American International Auto Show ” in Detroit .
body
The C5 body with the newly developed shape had a C w value of 0.29. The C5, initially only available as a coupé with a removable Targa roof , later came onto the market in two other versions. For the first time in the history of the model, Corvette buyers (at least in the USA) had the choice between three body styles. In addition to the coupé with a removable roof center section and the convertible , which had been available since model year 1998, a version with a fixed roof was available on the US home market since model year 1999. Dave Hill officially introduced this fixed roof model in August 1998.
This so-called Fixed Roof Coupe (FRC) with a fixed roof, which was never offered in Europe, was priced below the normal coupé. The fixed roof made the structure 12% more torsion-resistant than the simple coupé and the C5 “FRC” weighed 41 kg less than this. The top version "Z06" released in 2001 was based on this "Fixed Roof Coupé", which is why the roof of the Z06 cannot be removed. This should increase the torsional stiffness of the body.
With its dimensions, the C5 is the widest production Corvette model to date. The successor model C6 decreased both in length and in width compared to the C5. The width of the Corvette C5 increased by 110 mm at the front and by 76 mm at the rear compared to the previous C4 . The length also increased by 90 mm to 4570 mm. The wheelbase also grew significantly by more than 220 mm to 2665 mm. Thanks to weight-saving materials, the new C5 was still 36 kg lighter than its predecessor. Following tradition, pop-up headlights and four taillights were installed again, which were now more rounded or oval.
In contrast to the C4, the deeper bonnet enabled a better view of the road. In the previous model, the C4, the fenders were integrated into the bonnet and formed a unit with the front part of the body that could be opened completely (so-called clamshell hood ); on the C5, on the other hand, the bonnet was again made separately and can be opened conventionally. The rear part of the car, which in the Corvette C4 was often criticized as too big and too "shaved off", was given a more harmonious design in the C5 without the aerodynamics having to suffer. Entry has become more convenient and the space in the interior has been significantly improved. The trunk, accessible through a large tailgate, is almost twice as large as that of the C4, as there is no spare wheel or jack. Instead, the C5 special awarded Goodyear - flat tires , so-called run-flat tires.
Cabriolet
A year after the appearance of the new C5, there was again a convertible in 1998. It was significantly lighter than the C4 convertible, but had four times the rigidity of the chassis. Another new model variant was the replica of the “Indianapolis 500 Pace Car” - also a convertible.
The hood was developed in such a way that it did not require any reinforcements. As a result, the convertible was only slightly heavier than the coupé and little more than the same with its removable targa roof . The trunk with a capacity of 393 liters offered more than any other cabriolet of its time. In order to make this additional space possible, an electric convertible top was dispensed with; it was also not available for an extra charge.
Interior or equipment
The interior has also been fundamentally revised compared to the previous model and functionality and usability have been improved. The entire control and display equipment behind the steering wheel has been renewed and the often criticized digital displays of the C4 have been replaced by four analog, black and white, more easily readable round instruments. In addition, there is an on-board computer called the “Driver Information Center” (DIC) with a digital display as standard, on which various parameters (such as the air pressure of each individual tire) can be displayed. Entry has become more convenient and the space in the interior has been significantly improved. The handbrake handle on the left of the driver in the previous model has been relocated to the center console. The trunk is almost twice as large as its predecessor and holds up to 707 liters. By dispensing with the spare wheel and a jack, the weight was also reduced. To compensate, tires developed by Goodyear with run-flat properties are used.
The C5 has extensive standard equipment, including six electrically adjustable sports leather seats, a Bose sound system with radio, cassette player and 12-disc CD changer (in the trunk), an automatically controlled 2-zone air conditioning system , cruise control , electric Window lifters, automatic lights , electronic immobilizer , a rear axle locking differential and a memory function that saves the seat position, the position of the exterior mirrors, the air conditioning settings and the radio station for up to three drivers. A switchable head-up display (HUD) was optionally available (standard in Europe from model year 1999), which projects information such as speed, engine speed and fuel gauge onto the windshield as a supplement to the analog instruments.
Compared to the Corvette C4, the safety equipment has been expanded to include airbags for driver and front passenger, side impact protection in the doors and vehicle dynamics control (ESP).
chassis
In the Corvette, the transmission was relocated to the rear axle using the transaxle design for the first time . With this design, the four-speed automatic transmission or the manually shifted six-speed transmission, which is optionally available from 1998, is not flanged to the engine, but forms a unit with the rear axle differential. Combined with the engine's installation position oriented towards the center of the car ( front mid-engine ), this results in a weight distribution of around 51.4 percent at the front and 48.6 percent at the rear. A completely redesigned steel frame with a four-fold increase in torsional stiffness is hidden under the body.
The box frame of the C5 is made from a single piece. Since there are no joints, this frame is stronger and more rigid than conventional automobile frames. In addition, the high-strength frame, the load-bearing cross members and the roll bar protect the driver and front passenger in the event of an accident. Starting with the C5, the drive train was decoupled from the chassis, which eliminated one of the criticisms of the previous models. The drive shaft is made of metal matrix composite material , a metallic composite material made of aluminum, aluminum oxide and ceramic to achieve high strength in a lightweight construction.
landing gear
The chassis of the C5 is also a new development. Transverse leaf springs made of composite material in lightweight construction are used at the front and rear . A new technology is used in the wheel suspension to improve the balance between suspension, comfort and driving characteristics. The lower wishbones at the front and rear and the upper wishbones at the rear are made of cast aluminum in order to achieve high strength with low weight. The front upper transverse and wishbones made of forged aluminum contribute to the directional stability and enable central steering behavior. With the newly designed chassis with front and rear wheels on double wishbones, the result is safe, neutral and easily controllable driving behavior even at high cornering speeds. The independent suspension of all four wheels is based on the SALA concept (Short Arm Long Arm - one shorter and one longer wishbone), which is also known as " double wishbone axle with arms of unequal length". This type of suspension is preferred for use on racing cars.
The new variable power steering (MAGNASTEER II) adapts the required steering force to the speed and driving conditions. The light, hollow anti-roll bars at the front and rear are part of this comprehensive equipment package. Alloy wheels made of aluminum (front: 8.5 × 17 inches / rear: 9.5 × 18 inches) complete the standard equipment of the Corvette. Magnesium rims were also optionally available at an additional cost.
In addition to the traction control system ( ASR ), a new electronic "Active Handling System" ( ESP ) provides improved control of the vehicle. Internally ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels and warning lights are standard equipment on the Corvette C5. The anti-lock braking system Bosch 5.3 is a further development to achieve better coordination with the "Active Handling System" ( ESP ). In addition, new brake software was used, which guarantees increased stability on the rear axle.
Z51
The FE3 sports suspension could be ordered as an additional Z51 option. This optional "FE3" -Sportfahrwerk was "Z51" -Sportpaket contained and included transverse leaf springs with higher spring rate (stiffer springs), firmer shock absorbers , stiffer anti-roll bars with a larger diameter. This chassis was standard in the C5 Z06.
F55
The electronically adjustable F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control was optionally available for the C5 . It regulates the shock absorbers with a response time of 1 millisecond.
Tire system
Goodyear developed the “Eagle F1 GS” in close collaboration with Corvette . It is a so-called “Extended Mobility” tire (EMT) or “Run Flat” tire with emergency running properties. These specially manufactured tires can be driven up to 160 km at a speed of 90 km / h even when completely empty, so that no replacement tire is necessary. The "Goodyear Eagle F1 GS" is intended as standard tires for the C5, front as P245 / 45ZR17 and rear as P275 / 40ZR18. However, normal tires from other manufacturers can also be fitted.
The standard equipment of the Corvette C5 also includes a system for monitoring the internal tire pressure. It works with battery-powered sensors that are mounted inside the valve stem of each tire. If an overpressure or underpressure occurs in a tire, a warning message appears automatically on the “Driver Information Center” (DIC). With the "DIC", the driver can also check the internal air pressure of individual tires at any time.
engine
The C5 is powered by a completely newly developed V8 aluminum engine with a displacement of 5.7 liters. The new engine with the designation LS1 was the most powerful Chevrolet small block that had ever been produced in series: It developed 257 kW (350 hp) at 5400 rpm and delivered a torque of 483 Newton meters at 4200 rpm . From model year 2001, the performance of the LS1 engine has been increased slightly, as different engine components from the Z06 were used. It now developed 261 kW (355 hp) at 5200 rpm and 508 Nm at 4000 rpm. The automatic version had a slightly lower torque of 489 Nm at 4000 rpm.
The so-called LS1 unit is made of all-aluminum construction. In addition to the engine block, the cylinder heads are also made of aluminum. The intake tract, with its ducts of exactly the same length, is made of plastic; the ignition controlled by the electronic engine management system now has individual ignition coils for each cylinder. The main features of the LS1 engine include: an aluminum engine block and cylinder head, a compression ratio of 10: 1, a new composite intake manifold and a modern sequential fuel injection system (SFI). The spark plugs of the LS1 engine have platinum electrodes and therefore no regular maintenance is required up to a driving distance of 165,000 km.
Performance
According to the factory, acceleration is 4.7 s from 0 to 100 km / h for models with the optional manual six-speed gearbox and 5.1 s from 0 to 100 km / h for models with standard four-speed automatic transmission. For the models from model year 2001, the Corvette C5 was specified by the factory with 5.0 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h for the automatic version due to some technical modifications. Depending on the version, the top speed is between 275 km / h for the Z06, 281 km / h for the Cabriolet and up to 297 km / h for the Coupé. With this performance, the new Corvette C5 was even superior to the top model of the previous version, the Corvette C4 ZR-1, in all disciplines.
Although the Z06 is more powerful and accelerates faster than the normal C5, it reaches a lower top speed because of the sports transmission, which has a shorter gear ratio.
The small course in Hockenheim was lapped by the C5 in a test by a car magazine in 1: 15.9 minutes. The lap on the Nordschleife lasted 8:18 minutes. A Porsche 911 (993) needed about 2 seconds more than the C5 for the Hockenheim circuit in 1997: 1:18 minutes. For the Nordschleife the Porsche needed 8:28 minutes, i.e. 10 seconds more. The Porsche has about 2 liters less displacement and 70 hp less, but about the same weight.
C5 Z06
On April 30, 2000, Dave Hill, Corvette's chief engineer, presented the Z06 model with the "LS6" engine with an initial 283 kW (385 hp) engine. The Z06 was the modified version of the "FRC" Coupé with a fixed roof and replaced this variant in 2001, two years after its model launch. The Z06 is the sportiest variant and thus the top version of the C5, it was never officially imported to Europe. With the Z06, the “Fixed Roof Coupé” variant went from the previously cheapest to the most expensive Corvette model.
The heart of the Z06 is the revised LS6 engine , which is an optimization of the LS1 engine of the basic model with newly developed unit components. In addition to the titanium silencer system, the tires of the “Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar” brand are some of the numerous equipment features in contrast to the normal C5. The steering was designed to be much more precise than the standard Corvette, the weight was reduced by around 80 kg, and the stabilizers at the front and rear were reinforced. The fixed roof structure was retained by the FRC. As with the FRC version, the roof was firmly welded to the body, thus increasing the vehicle's rigidity .
Awards
On December 5, 2000, the Corvette C5 Z06 received the “2001 Car of the Year Award” in the “Best New Sports” and “Performance Car” categories from the Canadian Association of Automobile Journalists - against the competition from Audi TT Roadster and Mercedes-Benz SLK 320. The Z06 received the “Automobile of The Year Award” from “Automobile Magazine”.
engine
The Z06 got a revised, more powerful engine. The name of this actually modified LS1 motor of the normal C5 is LS6 . The displacement remained the same, but the LS6 had, among other things, a higher compression ratio (10.5: 1 instead of 10.1: 1) and a "sharper" camshaft . A titanium silencer system and a transmission temperature sensor with a corresponding display in the cockpit completed the revised drive train.
The power of the first model presented in 2001 was 283 kW (385 hp) at 6000 rpm and 522 Nm at 4800 rpm. From the 2002 model year, the engine was slightly modified and now developed 302 kW (411 hp) and 542 Nm.
Performance
The sports version of the Corvette C5 lapped the small circuit in Hockenheim in 1: 14.9 minutes, the same time as a 2000 Porsche 911 GT3 . A Ferrari 360 was about the same speed with 1: 15.2 minutes. The Nordschleife is driven in just over 8 minutes (depending on the test driver and conditions between 8:00 and 8:03 minutes).
General Motors reported a time of 4.0 seconds for the acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km / h). Various tests by car magazines gave about 4.2 to 4.5 seconds for the sprint from 0-100 km / h and about 16 to 17 seconds from 0-200 km / h.
The top speed is reached in fifth gear because of the long sixth gear and is 275 km / h. Since the gearbox is also differently graduated than in the normal C5, the Z06 is up to 20 km / h slower than the normal C5 despite the additional power of up to 42 kW. Here a maximum acceleration was preferred to a higher top speed.
Z06 Cabrio / Convertible
From 2002 to 2004, a Z06-based C5 convertible version was available in limited edition (60 copies worldwide) for $ 86,000. It had 302 kW (411 PS) and 542 Nm from a displacement of 5.7 liters. This limited version was manufactured exclusively in the Millennium Yellow color scheme .
Z06 Commemorative Edition
The Z06 was also delivered as a "Commemorative Edition". A total of 2025 pieces of these Z06s with the special option called "Z16" were produced. The "Z06 CE" is painted in the color "LeMans Blue", with racing stripes on the body like the normal C5 CE. The limited coupé can be recognized by these two red-framed, silver racing stripes that stretch from the bonnet over the roof. The Z06 CE was also equipped with a new CFRP engine hood to save weight . With a mass of only 9.3 kg, it was 34 percent lighter than the otherwise standard GRP version.
The Z06 CE and the “normal” Z06 were not officially sold by GM dealers in Europe. This "Commemorative Edition" called "Reminder Edition" as an option for the Z06 cost 4,335 US dollars extra.
The auto magazine "Motor Trend" noted in an issue at the time that this Z06 CE was the fastest Corvette C5 that it had tested until then.
50th anniversary
In 2003 the limited 50th Anniversary Special Edition of the C5 was offered for the 50th birthday of the Corvette . A special exterior in anniversary dark red and champagne-colored rims with the official anniversary emblem are the optical features of this limited special edition.
However, all other C5 models produced for the USA in 2003 also rolled off the production line as "50th Anniversary" and were named accordingly. These unlimited 50th Anniversary models were available in all colors in return for the limited "Special Edition" (Anniversary dark red).
Accordingly, a distinction is made in the 2003 production year between the limited Anniversary red “50th Anniversary Special Edition” and the unlimited “50th Anniversary” available in all colors.
An emblem with the number "50" can be found on all 2003 US models both on the body (additional logo on the side of the fender only for the limited special edition) and in the interior (speedometer).
The limited “Special Edition” can be recognized from the outside by the special color “Crimson Tintcoat Metallic” (dark red) and the anniversary badge. The interior is kept entirely in neutral / shale (beige). The “50 years Corvette logo” is embroidered on the headrests, and door handles and armrests are color-coordinated. The model also has aluminum rims in a special color and floor mats with the “50 years emblem ”.
The adjustable "F55" chassis with Magnetic Selective Ride Control system, which is normally subject to a surcharge, is standard in the Special Edition. It reacts to uneven road surfaces in a millisecond and offers better shock absorber dynamics as well as more maneuverability and stability in all driving conditions.
Commemorative Edition
The press was already in possession of a few photos showing the new C6 when Corvette announced the “souvenir edition” of the C5. For the last C5 model year 2004, the exclusive special series Commemorative Edition (abbreviated to: CE ) based on the racing version C5-R, which was very successful in the American Le Mans Series and in 2001 and 2002 in Europe at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a double winner in the GTS class. The "Commemorative Edition" was developed to commemorate the victories of the Corvette at Le Mans.
The successful Corvette C5-R was the inspiration for the new Corvette C5 CE, the top model of the C5, which was officially exported to Europe. This new edition brought many innovations from the American Corvette Z06 to European roads for the first time. This model was painted in the special color Le Mans Blue Metallic with two broad silver and narrow red stripes, which run parallel over the bonnet and roof as so-called racing stripes .
The "Commemorative Edition" had a new bonnet made of carbon fiber and a special paint finish that exactly corresponded to the Corvette C5-R , which was the defending champion in the GTS class at the time. With this bonnet, a highly developed material such as carbon fiber was used for the first time in a US production vehicle. The special color “Le Mans Blue” with silver stripes and red border was only available for the C5-R racing car in Le Mans 2003 and a limited number of the “Commemorative Edition”. A special badge in the interior shows all Le Mans victories of the Corvette, and black leather sports seats from the Z06 are also part of the equipment.
In the USA the coupé and the convertible were available under the RPO code "Z15" with the Commemorative Edition package. In addition to the special coloring, leather seats in the color shale (slate / beige), special emblems and seat embroidery as well as highly polished five-spoke aluminum rims were part of the equipment. The soft top of the convertible was also kept in shale. Production figures for the Z15 package have not been released. The CE version of the Z06 Coupé was called “Z16” and was equipped with a new CFRP engine hood to save weight . With a mass of only 9.3 kg , it was 34% lighter than the otherwise standard GRP version. A total of 2025 pieces of these "Z16" were built. Neither she nor the "normal" Z06 was officially sold by GM dealers in Europe.
These high-tech features made the Corvette C5 Commemorative Edition (CE) with manual 6-speed gearbox, sporty Z06 suspension, Z06 brakes, high-speed tires and black Z06 sports seats a sports car that impressively captured the spirit of Le Mans brought the road. The road holding and the associated driving performance have been significantly improved by the better suspension components compared to the normal C5.
The rarest and most special version of the Commemorative Edition , however, is the one with the option code "Z18"; it represents a mixture of "Z15" and "Z16", which was only available for the European market. It was built as a coupé in the characteristic CE design and has the carbon bonnet and the black sports seats of the "Z16", a six-speed manual transmission, the braking system of the Z06 and its chassis in an even more sporty version and Goodyear Eagle-F1- Supercar tires. The LS1 engine was not changed compared to the basic Corvette. Although around 150 were originally planned, only 46 were produced and only the chassis numbers of 45 cars have been published, which makes the Z18-CE a coveted collector's item.
In 2004 there was this Z18 option for the limited "Commemorative Edition" (CE) in the last model year and to complete the C5 series in Europe.
A press kit from May 2003 for the C5 Commemorative Edition shows the differences to the "normal" C5 in the European version:
- LeMans Blue paintwork, which was only available on the C5 with the CE
- Glued-on racing stripes in white-red-blue
- Carbon bonnet
- special CE emblems on the front and rear
- Sports seats without lumbar support, which were otherwise not available on the European models
- C5 logo embroidered in the headrest
- FE4 chassis from the Z06
- Non-EMT Goodyear F1 supercar tires in normal C5 format (ex-works only on these 46 cars)
- Sticker on the wheel hub cover.
All vehicles are exclusively equipped with polished aluminum wheels and manual gearboxes. The only option that could be ordered was the side molding. There is also a Goodyear presentation on the supercar tire in the press kit, stating that it is 3kg lighter at the front and 3.5kg at the rear than the normal Goodyear F1 EMT .
These are all the differences between the limited “Commemorative Edition” and the normal Corvette C5 in Europe, as the engines of both vehicles are identical.
Technical specifications
| Model name | C5 coupe / convertible | C5 Z06 |
|---|---|---|
| engine | 5.7 L V8 LS1 | 5.7 L V8 LS6 |
| Bore × stroke | 99 × 92 mm | 99 × 92 mm |
| Power at 1 / min | 260 kW (355 PS) / 5200 | 302 kW (411 PS) / 6000 |
| Max. Torque at 1 / min | 508 Nm / 4000 | 542 Nm / 4800 |
| transmission | 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
6-speed manual |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h (Aut.) | 4.7 s (5.1 s) | 4.2 s |
| Top speed | 281 km / h (convertible) 297 km / h (coupé) |
275 km / h |
| Rims front / rear | 8.5 × 17 / 9.5 × 18 | 9.5 × 17 / 10.5 × 18 |
| Front / rear tires | 245 / 45ZR17 / 275 / 40ZR18 | 265 / 40ZR17 / 295 / 35ZR18 |
| Empty weight | 1460 kg | 1409 kg |
| Tank capacity | 70 liters | 70 liters |
