2005 Corvette: Serious Performance With Surprising Efficiency

GM Media Press Release

For Release: 29 February, 2004

2005 Corvette: Serious Performance With Surprising Efficiency

The sixth-generation Chevrolet Corvette represents a comprehensive upgrade to America's performance icon, delivering excellence in every aspect. But at its core Corvette is about performance and the 2005 Corvette achieves near "supercar" levels in a package attainable by many.

What follows are the preliminary performance numbers for the new Corvette, based on internal testing of a Coupe model with the Corvette Standard Suspension (unless otherwise noted) and the standard six-speed manual transmission.

Top Speed:

Acceleration:

Efficiency:
It is not surprising, given its pedigree, that the sixth-generation pushes Corvette performance to a higher level. What may surprise some is that Corvette achieves this performance with remarkable efficiency. With its low vehicle mass, world-class chassis dynamics and the 6.0-liter LS2 V-8 engine, Corvette delivers incredible real-world efficiency on a total vehicle basis. While the car's final fuel economy is yet to be officially certified, the 2005 Corvette is projected to mirror the 2004 model in fuel economy, with a combined city/highway mpg rating estimated at approximately 22 or 23 - in other words, fuel mileage is virtually unchanged despite a nearly 6-percent increase in engine displacement and a 14.5-percent increase in horsepower.

The 2005 Corvette has the best combination of horsepower and fuel economy among the world's top performance cars. When the LS2's 400 horsepower is multiplied by its combined city/highway mileage estimates, it yields an index of 9,040. Here's how the 2005 Corvette compares with some of its key competitors:

The bottom line? Corvette delivers power in the range of exotic cars that cost tens of thousands more, combined with fuel efficiency better than some family sedans.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs 342,000 people globally in its core automotive business and subsidiaries. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in more than 190 countries. In 2002, GM sold more than 8.6 million cars and trucks, nearly 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's consumer website at www.gm.com.

Contact:
Dick P. Braakhekke
Cadillac Europe
Tel: +31 (0)30 63 461 33
E-mail: Dbraakhekke@cadillaceurope.com

David Caldwell
GM Communications
Tel: +1 586-492-8100
E-mail: David.Caldwell@gm.com