2009 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
NADAguides.com 'Car of the Month' for May
Selecting a “Car of the Month” can sometimes be a tricky task. With hundreds of cars on the market, from SUVs to sedans, trucks to minivans, the selection process can sometimes be challenging and this month was no exception. We usually work to target new cars that consumers know little about and try to make our review process simple by providing a quick synopsis of our likes and dislikes for the chosen car.
The featured car for May came with some question marks. During the selection process, somebody on the team threw out the name Corvette. It was immediately overshadowed by the growingly popular and all-new Chevy Camaro. We did some research and, of course, every media outlet has some sort of story that features the new Camaro. The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe quickly became the right vehicle to spotlight for May.
The Corvette name is as American as Mom’s apple pie and with a 55-year history, it is without question, one of the best-selling high performance sports cars of our time. With three models for 2009, the standard Corvette competes primarily with the Dodge Viper. The Corvette Z06 and ZR1 could arguably compete with Ferrari and Porsche in the supercar performance category.
First Drive
So, while the C6 Corvette body style has been out for some time, the 2009 version comes with some new bells and whistles. New standard features include variable ratio steering and steering wheel audio controls, but the bulk of the “standard features” are packed neatly under the hood.
Our first drive with the 2009 Corvette was, dare I say it, too comfortable. The continued suspension refinement is noticeably softer. What used to be a jarring driving experience is now a soft and comfortable ride. Freeway driving is smooth and the vehicle absorbs every bump without exhibiting body roll through the corners. With the spring weather feeling more like summer in the Southwest, I immediately took advantage of the removable roof panel to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. What a great feature! You get the convertible experience without opening up the entire rear of the vehicle. What I also like is the option to put the roof panel in the trunk of the Corvette or leave it behind at home, which allows for more functionality and greater trunk space.
The horsepower under the hood of the 2009 Corvette, or any Corvette for that matter, is always something to brag about. The Corvette we tested has a massive…wait…read below!
Under the Hood
(continued from above) massive 6.2L V-8 LS3 power plant. This puppy produces 430 horsepower and 424 lb.-ft pounds of torque. Mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox, the Corvette gets a decent 15 city street and 25 highway miles per gallon. Given the size of the engine, that’s not bad in my book. We didn’t take it out on the track, but we’re sure it would have been blazingly fast. Chevy quotes a 0-60 at 4.2 seconds and we believe it. The Z06, which has a 7.0L V-8 LS7 engine, has a 0-60 of 3.7 seconds. Top speed for the Corvette hovers around 200 miles per hour. The Coupe’s top speed is 190 mph and the Z06 maxes out at 198 mph.
The Interior and Exterior
The interior of the Corvette is very Chevy. The leather seats are soft, but you can immediately tell the difference between Corvette seats and Ferrari seats. On the other hand, if you go for the Ferrari you will see a major difference in your pocketbook as well! What I really liked about the Corvette interior is the head-up dash display that provides the driver with a second-by-second digital readout of your speed, RPMs and oil pressure. I found this very functional and a great way to keep your eyes on the road.
The rest of the interior was clean and comfortable. I did notice the headrests in particular. For some reason, many automakers develop hard headrests. The Corvette headrests are actually very soft and while making my way down the freeway I was able to rest my head against it without feeling every crack in the road. If you planned on using your Corvette as a daily driver or touring vehicle, the headrests will actually pay dividends for you!
The exterior design of the newest generation Corvette was one of the reasons we selected this vehicle for our May “Car of the Month.” When Chevrolet introduced the newest model with body integrated front headlights and smoother lines, the industry applauded them for bringing a sexier “vette” to market. We couldn’t agree more, and the multiple thumbs up we got while driving were proof of its stardom. To maintain that sexy look, Chevy staggered the wheel and tire package with P245/40ZR18 on the front and P285/35ZR19 on the rear resulting in a strong and aggressive look. The large brake rotors are cross-drilled and the ever present Corvette branded calipers are clearly visible through the 5-spoke chrome wheels.
The Bottom Line
Sure, we could have picked the newest car off the production line to feature for our May “Car of the Month”, but given that it’s spring and the weather is getting warmer, why not feature an American classic like the Corvette? Its power under the hood, open roof panel and clean interior continue to make the Corvette one of the best sports cars in the world.
Price as tested: $63,960
For more information on the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe, visit NADAguides.com.