2008 Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette is America’s undisputed high performance icon, and the main reason for that is under the hood, where for decades pushrod V8 engines have pumped out the kind of serious horsepower and torque that the ‘Vette faithful demand. That powerful tradition continues for 2008 with a new LS3 small block, and it has our resident Corvette fans chomping at the bit.

If you’re a fan of traditional American horsepower, you know the saying “there’s no substitute for cubic inches,” and that obviously guided Chevrolet designers as they developed the LS3 small block V8 that powers the updated 2008 Corvette.

Now measuring a big 6.2-liters, or 376 cubic inches for traditionalists, the LS3 punches out 430 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque. That’s a jump of 30 horses and 24 pound-feet over the previous 6.0-liter engine. Add on the Z06 inspired dual-mode exhaust, and the new engine delivers an even rosier 436 horsepower.

With its stronger big-bore alloy block, high flow heads, more sophisticated overhead-valve train, and acoustically-tuned composite intake manifold, the LS3 offers pushrod purity, with just enough modern engineering to keep it competitive.

Transmissions are a 6-speed manual, or our car’s 6-speed automatic with manual paddle shifters. Both trannys have been tweaked to deliver more positive shifts, and the automatic can now be mated to an optional 2.73 rear axle as part of the Z51 package.

The rack-and-pinion power steering also gets a boost, with new internals, a stiffer intermediate shaft, and recalibrated controller. Run flat performance tires shod 18-inch front and 19-inch rear alloy wheels available in split and solid spoke designs.

All of which comes together when you punch the pedal, as our 2008 Corvette Convertible jumps to 60 in 4.5 seconds. That’s three tenths quicker than the ‘05 6.0-liter manual we tested. The quarter-mile time is also lower, ending in 12.8 seconds at 116 miles-per-hour.

As expected, the LS3 ‘Vette leaps off the line, delivering huge torque from idle to redline. New hardware and software for the paddle shifters paid off with quicker and sharper gear changes, though some of our drivers didn’t care for the push-for-up and pull-for-down shift pattern.

But few shifts were needed as we pounded around the curves of Georgia’s Roebling Road Raceway. The LS3 engine delivers tremendous flexibility, pulling hard from any point in the power band, and displaying quick but refined throttle response.

The Corvette’s suspension combo of double wishbones and transverse-mounted composite leaf springs is unchanged for 2008, and it continues to deliver the fine balance and world class sports car handling that the Corvette is known for.

With no top and over 3,200 pounds behind it, the Convertible’s front end did seem to exhibit a bit more push in corners than the slightly lighter coupe.  Now, that’s without the Z51 upgrade, but with GM’s latest driver adjustable Magnetic Ride Control shock damping system.

So equipped, our Corvette delivered tons of grip and plentiful feedback from both suspension and steering, keeping driver confidence high and making direction changes fuss free.

The Magnetic Ride Control package also adds larger cross-drilled brake rotors which easily haul the ‘Vette down from triple digit speeds. Stops from a more sane 60, average a short 113 feet, with the same level of confidence and feel.

Out on the street, Magnetic Ride Control makes the Corvette almost pothole friendly, and at saner street speeds, a Corvette automatic will also register government fuel economy ratings of 15 city/25 highway on premium grade gas. That’s better highway fuel economy than a V6 Nissan 350Z.

All for a price that is still something of a bargain where world-class sports cars are concerned. $46,950 for the Coupe, and $55,425 for the convertible. Of course, options can push that to 70-grand or more.

But even the base price includes all the Corvette’s attributes you expect, including our convertible a smooth operating power soft top that hides completely out of sight.

Our car included the new two-tone leather on the dash, doors, and heated seats. Plus, power telescoping steering column, keyless entry and start, OnStar, DVD navigation, Bose premium audio with XM satellite radio, and dual zone automatic climate controls.

Of course for our resident Corvette fans, the only equipment that really matters is the LS3 V8. An engine that easily lives up to the heritage of all its Chevy small block pushrod predecessors.

The new LS3 ensures that the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette will continue as America’s favorite high performance icon, and one of the finest sports cars anywhere.