2008 Chevrolet Corvette

The mid-cycle C6 Corvette gets a "freshening" this year. Introduced three years ago, this sixth generation Corvette went on to set performance records with two class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans beating Vipers and Aston Martins. Yet the competition in this category continues to press. The Corvette people, pressing back against the Euro-rockets, made improvements to both the Vette's performance and the luxury features.

Already considered the best performance bang for the buck, the 2008 Corvette goes even faster. Chevrolet tossed the 2007 6-liter, LS2 engine and replaced it with the bored out LS3. At 6.2-liters, the strengthened V8 all-aluminum block got new cylinder heads derived from the 7-liter Z06 engine with low-restriction, large-capacity intake ports. 9% larger, lightweight, hollow-stemmed intake valves work with a new high-lift camshaft. Z06 injectors with a new intake manifold top things off producing 430-hp at 5,900 rpm - that's 30-hp more than last model year. And don't forget option code NPP - for an extra $1,200 you can have the Z06 exhaust system. At 3,500 rpm, butterfly valves in two of the four exhaust runners open, backpressure reduces by 80%, and six more horsepower sally forth to the sound of a V8 unleashed.

The reworked standard six-speed manual (a competition six-speed manual exists) shifts lighter and more precisely. And the reprogrammed six-speed automatic paddle-shifted transmission upshifts 30% quicker and downshifts 50-75% faster with throttle blips - how Euro! The fastest automatic transmission production Corvette ever rips through 0-60 regimen in 4.3 seconds. The manual can turn it in 4-seconds flat, topping out at 190 mph. The Vette boys have also revised the steering to be lighter and more precise. One review claims it now approaches BWM territory.

The interior received a thorough going over with double-seem stitched leather everywhere with new two-tone leather trim patterns available. New metalwork further brightens the living quarters.

The C6 and a half Corvette adds power and beauty continuing to secure its place as the best performance investment on four wheels.