At
this stage almost no details about the C6 have been officially
confirmed by GM, however there has certainly been plenty of
speculation and some spy photos taken. GM is due to unveil the
C6 at the Detroit Motor Show 10th January 2004. C6 will go on
sale round mid-year 2004, perhaps as early as April 2004.
The C6 will platform share with the already
unveiled Cadillac XLR and will be built in the same plant.
Platform apparently will be largely unchanged from the C5.
Sources claim the C6 will benefit from the Cadillac involvement
as this means quality control, paint, panel and interior improvements
for the Cadillac assembly line will also be utilized by the
Corvette. The Cadillac XLR will have different motor/gearbox
to the Corvette and performance won’t be as high but
will have extra luxurious features. Styling of the Cadillac
is also a probable indication of the C6 direction.
Expect the C5 styling to be very evident in
the C6, however the C6 will be more angular and daring with
more of the syling from the C3. Styling lines from the C5
will be more emphasized and pronounced giving the car a more
aggressive look. One thing that s definitely known is that
the C6 won’t have pop-up headlights.
Engine for the C6 will definitely not be overhead
cam, other than that reports on engine configuration are widely
varying however it generally seems to be agreed that the base
C6 will put out around 400—440 HP and will have a displacement
of between 5.7 and 6.3 litres.
Gearbox
options again are just rumours, but common reports are a 6 speed
manual and 5 or 6 speed auto. Curb weight and dimensions will
stay about the same as the C5.
One of
the big questions for Australians is will it be available
in Right Hand Drive. Currently the answer appears to be unknown.
It would seem probable that if the Cadillac XLR isn’t
available RHD drive then the Corvette wouldn't be either.
To date there has been contradictory reports this year from
Auto Express in the UK that the XLR will be RHD and from the
Sydney Morning Herald that the XLR won’t be offered
in RHD. Directly concerning the C6, Ward’s Autoworld
reported in August 2000 that the C6 would be offered RHD.
More recently there is word from the Corvettes of Southern
California Club that RHD drive C6 Corvettes will be available.
