Thursday, July 9, 2009
Corvette C6
The best selling sports in the world is now coming from the European taunt on their own land. With a lot of changes in stock.
A legend
The Corvette is a legend in itself. The mere reading of his pedigree reveals a world where reason is swept away by passion. An example? The architecture of the V8 tumbled, from the first generation appeared in? 1953 alongside the latest high-tech as the head-up display, borrowed from the world of military aviation! But as good wine, Corvette improves with age. Launched in May 2005, the sixth generation to enjoy the new vintage of change. And to better appreciate what most beautiful jewel that the Paul Ricard circuit at Castle!
A car or an airplane?
Slip into the cockpit of the Corvette is still a feast for the senses. At a time when engineers Ergonomists simplify everything to the extreme, the U.S. has a cockpit of fighter aircraft. There are buttons everywhere and it takes at least five minutes to understand what purpose they serve. This mimicry with aeronautics is reinforced by the famous head-up display. A command to set the interface of his choice, projected onto the windshield. The rpm and "km / h" float before the eyes of the driver. There is even the possibility of reading the number of G that we cash in every turn!
33 hp and more
Starting the car via a button on the center console. The roar of the V8 erupts. Yum! And it is under the hood that is the second amendment to our 2008 version. The architecture of the V8 flipped (two valves per cylinder, one camshaft central) does not change, but it rolled from 6.0 to 6.2, to win passage 33 hp (or 437 horsepower total). The couple also progressing from 41 Nm to 585 Nm That figures. But when cars reach such a power, it is above all the feelings that prevail. Ca tombe bien, the Paul Ricard available to us. First step: two laps to take the temperature of the track and see what the Vette was in the belly. Out of the stands.
Faster than the Mistral!
Provided, however, not to play with the basic laws of physics? In this case, the armada of electronic safeguards (all adjustable or disconnectable) said the order quickly. Optionally, the Corvette is equipped with a magnetic suspension selective (2450). Electromagnetic dampers are able to recognize any coating, the system adjusts its setting to provide an optimal behavior. So, on the trail of Castellet Corvette plays billiards, threading curves with an ease bordering on provocation. Output chicane. Line from Mistral. The head-up display flirts with 200 km / h. On paper, his peak speed exceeds 300 km / h with a 0 to 100 km / h in 4.5 s.
Unbeatable prices!
It is 0.7 s less than a Jaguar XKR for 416 hp and as much as a Mercedes SL55 AMG 517 hp. It must be said that the Vette weighs 500 kg less than the roadster to the Star! But no time to go higher: already have the technical profile of the circuit? and the end of turn. Confidence increases, as the pleasure and the Corvette always fulfills his contract with flying colors. Happiness! But back down to earth and approach the "painful." Burning in absolute terms (from 65,850?), The note remains a trifle when compared to its rivals, much more expensive (at least 25,000? More). And 10,700? Further, the same Vette rises up! As for the more fortunate (and daring), it is to the monstrous 512-hp Z06 they will turn. A different story?