Taking the wheels of this mighty fine car through the hilly roads of Abha in the Aseer region is an experience to remember. Apart from the curious stares of onlookers as I drove this bright yellow baby in and around Abha, there were many who flagged me down and asked for more on this powerful machine.
For more than 50 years, the name Corvette has been synonymous with a uniquely exhilarating world class, high performance sports car driving experience. Be it the Coupe or the Convertible, the Chevrolet Corvette stirs the performance enthusiast’s soul -- whether it’s during a daily commute to the office or a weekend at the track.
The 2007 Corvette’s new features refine a groundbreaking sports car, with equipment enhancements and refinements that include available two-tone perforated leather seating surfaces with crossed flag embroidery and contrasting stitching, in Red, Cashmere or Titanium. In addition, steering wheel-mounted audio controls are included with Bose premium audio systems and there is a larger glove compartment space.
Also new for 2007, Corvette customers can now combine heavy-duty brakes, previously only available with the Z51 performance package, with the comfort of Magnetic Selective Ride Control technology. The Chevrolet Corvette’s power top is now included with the Convertible 3LT option package. A range of new exterior colors is added for the new model year.
Coupe and Convertible models come with the LS2 6.0 liter V8 engine that produces 400 horsepower @ 6000 rpm, and 542 Nm of torque @ 4400 rpm. It is matched to a rear transaxle that helps improve vehicle weight balance — a six-speed manual is standard and a six-speed paddle shift transmission with automatic modes is available. The front and rear short/long arm suspensions reflect the most competition-influenced suspension tuning in the Corvette’s history.
Dramatic fender forms and exposed headlamps combine with the grille to create a strong visual identity for the Corvette, while the tapered rear deck and fascia improve high-speed performance. The lean rear design sports round tail-lamps and centre-exit exhaust. The fixed Xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps provide superior lighting performance. With a 0.286 coefficient of drag, the Coupe models are the most aerodynamic Corvettes ever, enabling a super car-level top speed of over 200 km per h.
The 2007 Corvette Convertible features a power-operated soft top with 3LT package; an easy-to-operate manual top is standard. Both configurations use a five-layer fabric that conceals the underlying structure for a good top-up appearance, plus it helps preserve the car’s excellent aerodynamics and reduces road noise.
Corvette’s interior is inspired by the car’s dual-cockpit heritage. High-quality materials, craftsmanship and functionality help deliver premium quality meant to enhance performance driving. The instrument panel and doors are covered with cast-skin foam-in-place trim that looks like a leather-wrapped, padded panel. It is warm and inviting and has double the life of conventional trim materials.
Designers were able to provide a larger glove box by removing the frontal passenger airbag on and off switch that was required before the GM Passenger Sensing System was introduced in the 2006 model year.
Available for 2007 is an AM and FM radio with CD player and MP3 capability, which is now standard. New technology enhances conventional radio reception. An improved optional Bose audio system with an in-dash six-disc changer adds to the choices available to the audiophile owner.
Corvette Coupe and Convertible have a hydro-formed steel rail backbone structure, which features cored composite floors, an enclosed center tunnel, rear-mounted transmission and aluminum cockpit structure. Suspension cradles, control arms, knuckles, springs, dampers, bushings, stabilizer bars and steering gear have all been redesigned. New Goodyear Extended Mobility Tyres (EMT) take advantage of the latest sidewall design and compound technology for run-flat capabilities.
Three suspension choices allow drivers to choose the setup that best suits their driving style. The standard suspension is tuned for a balance of ride comfort and precise handling. Corvette is now more poised at even higher handling levels, yet easier to drive.
The optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension features magneto-rheological dampers able to detect road surfaces and adjust the damping rates to those surfaces almost instantly for optimal ride control. For 2007, cross-drilled brake rotors are now included when this feature is selected, to allow customers to combine the larger brakes from the Z51 performance package with the comfort of Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
The Z51 Performance Package brings Coupe and Convertible performance very close to the widely admired previous generation Z06. The Z51 offers more aggressive dampers and springs, larger stabilizer bars, Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar EMT tires, enhanced cooling and larger cross-drilled brake rotors (340 mm in front and 330 mm in rear) for optimum track performance while still providing a comfortable ride.
With each suspension, three standard dynamic chassis control systems — anti-lock braking, traction control and Active Handling — operate in concert. In all, the dynamic chassis control systems are smarter, less intrusive and more adept at making the total driving experience precisely what drivers have come to expect from their Corvette.
