More power for the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette

More power for the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette

For 2008, the Chevrolet Corvette is getting a boost in performance, more luxury features and, most likely, a higher price.

The changes are coming three years after the introduction of the current sixth-generation body style. They are aimed at keeping the Corvette ahead of the performance-car pack amid stiffening competition, says John Rydzewski, the Corvette's assistant chief engineer.

General Motors made the announcement Friday at the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

The new standard engine for the Corvette is a 6.2-liter aluminum push-rod V-8 called the LS3. It's rated at 430 hp and replaces the LS2, a 6.0-liter that made 400 hp.

When ordered with the optional two-mode exhaust system, horsepower rises to 436. The superhigh-performance Corvette Z06 returns for 2008, still boasting 505 hp.

The two-mode exhaust system has a valve that opens when the engine is accelerating hard. The valve reduces the pressure of the exhaust flowing through the system.

Despite the bump in power, Corvette's fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 28 highway is not affected, says Rydzewski. Emissions are lower, moving the new engine into a cleaner EPA certification category, he says.

The 2008 Corvette reaches 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph, GM says.

New Corvette engines are somewhat rare.

With the exception of the original Blue Flame six-cylinder engine, few Corvette motors have had shorter production runs than the LS2.

Says Rydzewski: "We were working on the next level of emission upgrades for the engine. And at the same time, the work we were doing would allow us to go one notch up on the competition.

"It's the right time for us to put this engine into production. We have a good product, and we want to get it out to the customers."

Other changes include upgrades to the manual and automatic transmissions. GM says the six-speed manual offers more positive gear changes, while the paddle-shifted automatic has new hardware and a new controller that delivers faster shifts when the driver presses the shift buttons on the steering wheel.

New features that were optional in 2007 and will be standard include OnStar with navigation, XM radio and mirrors that dim automatically. The interior also has been made more luxurious with bright trim on the center console and door sills.

Production of the 2008 Corvette begins in late July with sales scheduled to start in late August. Chevrolet has not announced prices. The 2007 Corvette Coupe starts at $44,995 including delivery charges.

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