The 2008 edition of the sixth-generation Corvette, available as a coupe or convertible, has an all-new, larger and more powerful LS3 6.2 L V8 engine. The pre-eminent American sports car also benefits from refinements in driving characteristics. A host of exterior and interior refinements raise the Corvette’s luxury status and enhance the feeling of craftsmanship.

“Corvette is an uncompromising sports car that rewards its owners with impeccable performance and great comfort,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The changes and enhancements to the 2008 Corvette reflect continual improvements that speak to Chevrolet’s unflagging commitment to building the best sports car – and with nearly 55 years of experience, the Corvette just keeps getting better and better.”

Engine

A new, 6.2L LS3 small-block V-8 is the standard engine in both the coupe and convertible models. It is preliminarily rated at 437 hp (321 kW) and 586 Nm of torque. The LS3 with the six-speed paddle-shift is the fastest automatic-equipped Corvette ever.

This new member of the storied small-block family features a revised, larger-bore cylinder block – 103.25 mm vs. the previous 6.0L’s 101.62 mm bores – high-flow, LS7/L92-style cylinder heads; larger-diameter pistons; revised camshaft and camshaft timing; revised valvetrain with offset intake rocker arms; high-flow intake manifold; high-flow fuel injectors from the Z06’s LS7 engine; and a new engine cover.

The LS3 features an aluminum cylinder block with cast iron cylinder liners. In addition to its larger bores, which help create the 6.2 litre displacement, the block casting also features revisions and machining in the bulkheads that enhance its strength and improved bay to bay breathing. While the bore of the 6.2L engine is increased when compared with the previous 6.0L engine, the engine’s stroke remains at 92 mm. The pistons for the larger 6.2L engine also are new and are designed for its high-rpm performance capability.

Breathing for the new 6.2L engine is accomplished via new, high-flow cylinder heads. They’re based on the large port/large valve design found on the LS7 engine and other GM L92 engines, with larger-capacity, straighter intake ports. The design optimizes intake flow to the combustion chamber and the exhaust ports are also designed for better flow.

Complementing the larger-port design of the heads are commensurately sized valves. The intake valve size alone increases from 50.8 mm to 55 mm – an increase of nearly 9 percent. The intake valves feature lightweight hollow stems, which enable the engine’s 6,600-rpm capability. The exhaust valves also are large, measuring 40.4 mm in diameter.

To accommodate the engine’s large valves and enable more direct intake port flow, the intake-side rocker arms are offset 6 mm between the valve tip and the push rod. Actuating the valves is a new camshaft, with intake-side lobes providing more than a 5-percent percent in increase in lift, from 13.25 mm to 14 mm. Exhaust-valve lift remains unchanged from the LS2. The camshaft timing was revised to optimize performance with the higher-lift intake cam profile.

Ensuring the cylinder heads receive all the air they can handles falls to a new, acoustically tuned intake manifold. The composite design is manufactured with a “lost core” process that improves runner-to-runner variation and reduces airflow losses. An acoustic foam material is used to reduce radiated engine noise; it is sandwiched between the outer top of the manifold and an additional “skull cap” acoustic shell. Also new beauty covers atop the engine shield the rocker covers and also feature a noise-reducing, acoustically tuned insert to provide a more refined engine sound.
Transmission and steering system

The shifting efforts for both the six-speed manual transmission and paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmissions have been improved in ’08 Corvette models. The manual transmission shifting improvements include a more positive and direct feel during gear changes, with better gate-to-gate location.

The six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission on both the coupe and convertible is improved with new hardware and a new controller calibration that deliver quicker shifts. This change bolsters the feeling of performance and driver control when using the shifting paddles.

Also new for ’08 models is the 2.73 performance axle ratio with the automatic transmission.

The Corvette’s precise rack-and-pinion steering system is revised to provide improved feel at all speeds. The revisions are due to a new, premium machining process of the system’s internal components, a new, stiffer intermediate shaft and controller calibration changes.

Wheels and exterior colors

Corvette coupe and convertible models come with a new split-spoke wheel design for ’08. The standard 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels feature a Sparkle Silver finish, with a Competition Gray version optional. Also new is a distinctive, performance-oriented forged five-spoke aluminum wheel for the Corvette models. It comes in a polished finish.

There are two new premium exterior colors available with 2008 Corvette models: Jetstream Blue Metallic Tintcoat and Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat; they replace Le Mans Blue Metallic and Monterey Red Metallic Tintcoat.

Custom leather-wrapped Interior Package

Available on coupe, convertible and Z06 models, the new Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package offers a stylish, two-tone leather-appointed cabin with details that enhance the feeling of Corvette’s craftsmanship. Details include:

Two-tone, leather-wrapped upper and lower instrument panel, door pads and seats
Choice of new, exclusive colors: Linen or Sienna, with unique color breakup
Padded door panel armrests
“Corvette” embroidered on passenger-side dash pad
Embroidered crossed flags logo on headrests
Unique center trim plate with Bias pattern.

Equipment enhancements

All Corvette models feature a new wrapped instrument panel center trim plate, with bright surrounds for the shifter and cupholder. There are also new metal-finish door sill plates that greet passengers as they step into the vehicle, as well as a new lighted control knob for the available Magnetic Selective Ride Control. Other refinements include an audio input jack on all radio systems except navigation and a new keyless access fob, which features the key and remote-function controls integrated in a single unit.

Corvette Z06

The Corvette Z06 is the fastest, most powerful production car ever offered by General Motors. The Z06 was developed alongside the Corvette C6.R race car, for the enthusiastic driver seeking supercar performance in a vehicle that can be used daily, and offers an unmatched horsepower-to-price ratio.

The Corvette Z06 combines the attributes that have made the sixth-generation Corvette a sales success across Europe, with raw power, endurance and race-winning know-how. Derived from the Corvette racing program, the Z06 is a totally unique vehicle that has its own powertrain, body structure and chassis system and a different body structure compared to the Corvette coupe and convertible. The phrase “technology transfer” has never been more appropriate than when used to describe Corvette Z06 road car.

LS7: GM’s most powerful passenger car engine ever

The Corvette Z06’s 7.0L V-8, LS7 engine delivers 512 hp (377 kW) at 6,300 rpm and 637 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. In a car weighing 1,418 kg, that adds up to 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 3.9 seconds in first gear and a top speed of 320 km/h (approximately 198 mph). The engine is also designed to rev to an unprecedented 7,000 rpm limit.

Unlike the previous 427-cubic-inch (6,997 cm3) engine, which was a big-block design, the LS7 is a small-block V-8, the largest-displacement small-block ever produced by GM and a tribute to its 50 years as a performance icon. The LS7 is easily identified under the hood by red engine covers with black lettering.

Clear examples of the LS7’s race-bred technology are its titanium connecting rods; a forged- steel crankshaft; forged-aluminum flat-top pistons; racing-derived CNC-ported aluminum cylinder heads with titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves; and titanium pushrods and valve springs. The engine also features deck-plate honing of the cylinders, a procedure normally associated with the building of racing engines and almost unheard of in a production-vehicle engine.

The LS7 has a dry-sump lubrication system designed to keep the engine fully lubricated during the high cornering loads the Corvette Z06 is capable of producing. An engine compartment-mounted reservoir delivers oil at a constant pressure at cornering loads exceeding 1g. At the rear of the LS7 engine, a single-mass flywheel and lightweight, high-capacity clutch channel torque to the rear-mounted six-speed manual transaxle with upgraded limited-slip differential. Stronger axle half-shafts with tougher universal joints transmit power to the rear wheels.

Unique body structure and distinctive, efficient styling

The Z06 has a unique fixed-roof body-style, with an aluminum body structure for optimum
stiffness while maintaining the vehicle’s light weight. Perimeter rails are one-piece hydroformed members featuring castings, stampings and extrusions that replace many welded steel components on other Corvette models. Advanced structural composites featuring carbon fiber are bonded to the aluminum structure in key areas.

The Z06 retains the 2,686-mm wheelbase of other Corvette models, but it rides on all-new wheels, tires, brakes and rear spring and roll stabilizer. Distinctive 10-spoke, 9.5 x 18-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels carry 275/35ZR18 tires in the front, and 12 x 19-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear. Using Goodyear Extended Mobility run-flat technology, they are the largest wheel-and-tire combination ever offered on a Corvette. These make room for huge 355-mm cross-drilled front disc brakes with six-piston calipers and 340-mm cross-drilled rear disc brakes with four-piston calipers.

A cold air scoop in front of the hood and a large air extractor located behind the wheel are functional features that help distinguish the Z06. Wider rear fenders with flares cover the massive rear tires, while a rear spoiler both houses the center high-mounted stop light and provides sufficient down force to balance the front splitter without adversely affecting aerodynamic drag. The Z06’s coefficient of drag is 0.31. Four, larger-diameter stainless steel exhaust tailpipes provide a final visual identifier.

Z06 features include a Bose audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer, a telescoping steering wheel, side-impact air bags and a navigation system with GPS, along with dual-zone air conditioning, cabin air filtration and head-up display (HUD) with standard track mode and g-meter. Heated seats with available two-tone leathering surfaces, Z06-logo embroidery and contrasting stitching have fixed side bolsters that are shaped to better hold the driver when cornering. The acoustic package is revised to reduce weight and allow more aural feedback from the powertrain.