Cherlet Corvette compartment test drive since 2008 compartment
Heretic
Chevrolet Corvette. Price: Not defined. Sales start: will not be sold The groan of the beeping rubber echoed along an empty road. The snow -white compartment, like a shot, fell off the place. Pressure, colleague, I'm writing down! I met the first impressions of the magnificent Chevrolet Corvette, which the GM concern is in no hurry to bring to Russia. But we still hope, still believe
The screens of the tires stopped. It is difficult to imagine what efforts it took the Chevrolet Corvette to a colleague sitting at the wheel to calm the adrenaline fuse. Soon, I myself became convinced how hard to control emotions, driving this car, a real car with the largest letter. Paul Ricard, where we are heading, led by the navigation system, lies only a few tens of kilometers from Marseille. And you should arrive on the track at a certain time: according to the organizers, it is there that you have to enjoy the machine and fully feel the driving madness of revolutions. Understanding that there is a pleasure in a slightly different kind there, we, to the extent of the capabilities and road circumstances, delay the arrival to the destination.
City landscapes quickly dissolved in the historical cleanliness and modern elegance of the new Corvette lines. The reflection of houses and snow-white yachts ran through the sloping wings of a 2-seater coupe, the Mediterranean breeze patted the flags on the emblem, the 19-inch wheels counted the last kilometers of the metropolis. Under approving-vast glances, and Marcel seemed to concentrate all the native attention on our car, we leave the hospitable city. And here Chevrolet Corvette, like an IF Count Monte Cristo, who escaped from the castle of the castle, is already neatly screwed upward through a picturesque serpentine. The car constantly provokes an active ride, and only sanity and abundance of wreaths on the fences restrain the urge to crush the accelerator. The human mind so far prevails over the technical genius: a new engine of 6.2 liters develops a power of 437 hp. And truly crazy torque at 586 Nm. I do not want to think about the dynamic qualities of the model, and the road abundant with insidious turns does not somehow help to verify the realism of the declared 4.6 seconds of overclocking to a hundred. It remains just to believe the word for the creators. And we are weaving with an average speed of fifty miserable kilometers per hour by car, for which 300 km/h is not the limit. Thanks to the 6-speed Corvette assault rifle, it duties such a mockery of itself, quietly alternating the first and most calmly absorbing road flaws with a suspension. Only a tight, but very understandable steering wheel in vihi recalls the sports purpose of the car.
After low -proceedings, a multi -lane highway seems to be a saving good: adrenaline stagnant in the arteries makes itself felt. The car spurred by the hard and informative pedal of gas rushes to where its possibilities will accurately appreciate. A sense of speed changes the driver with a sense of boundless freedom almost instantly. I did not calculate the effort a little and on the speedometer already 200 km/h. This figure is projected onto the windshield, which at least somehow can moderate the driver's ardor, without bringing the matter to the police proceedings. Entrance to Paul Ricard grew on the horizon faster than expected. Here Corvette will easily splash the energy accumulated under the hood. The asphalt of the Avtodrome still stores the heat of the formula tires until the 1990s. The car was regularly polished by the rubber track here, and then the track became training. The restrictions inspired by the Road Code of Honor in the form of traffic rules were removed, and instead of a judge put on the Polisky uniform, all your actions are strictly controlled by the instructor sitting on the right. He will introduce the highway, and will help with a good word, and will analyze the mistakes. But it will not allow you to freeze. All turns passage are specified in advance: how, at what program, at what speed. Ready? Forward!
On the track only cars with a mechanical gearbox. A powerful motor picks up right from idle. The stretched gear rates allow Corvette with a margin to accelerate to hundreds per second (and the sixth on a straight line is easily pulled by 70 km/h almost without loss of dynamics). It seems that there is no error with seconds. At least, judging by the power with which, when accelerated, you are imprinted to the contour leather chair. Dynamic extravaganza! On the Corvette highway goes smoothly and clearly, as if predicting the actions of the driver. The car lively reacts to small steering deviations: according to the developers, the steering of the novelty has become more clear and responsive compared to the predecessor. A small demolition of the front wheels in a steep turn quickly levels the stabilization system. Simulted the speed! And on the next circle you will pass the coveted arc without flying into the security strip. With instructor parting words, the second set for the same goal was easier. And more carefully with the brakes! The force on the pedal must be thoroughly dosed: the braking efficiency is so great that at first it is more often hanging on belts than you want.
But all the good ever ends. Our full impression ended the visit to Paul Ricard. As a acquaintance with Chevrolet Corvette has shown, the car really does not fit into the General Motors model concept, therefore it is perceived and positioned by the concern itself as a separate brand. This indirectly confirms the words of the Russian representative office GM that a couple of hundred cars sold in a year are not worth the model to certify, prepare individual showrooms and one hundred for it. However, heretics and in former times were persecuted Racing brothers
Four champion titles in the American ALMS series and 38 victories in both sides of the ocean, three of which were won in the legendary Marathon of 24 hours of Le-Man is the result of the performances of the Corvette C6 racing brothers in the 21st century. Although most of their Corvette awards were gathered in the USA, in European races, the brand also has something to boast of. C5R first appeared on the routes of the FIA \u200b\u200bGT International Championship in 2005 a year after its first victory in Le Man. Despite its 590 -horsepower
the motor, neither C5R, nor a year later C6R in clean power and speed on straight lines could compete with recognized leaders of the GT1: Maserati MC12, Ferrari 550 and Aston Martin DBR9. But the racing Corvette was distinguished by enviable controllability and economy. Where more powerful competitors had to make three refueling for the race, Corvette sometimes bypassed two. Corvette pilots also received some advantage due to better ventilation of the cabin, which is especially important during hot Asian races. And the combination of a hard suspension and much larger than that of the same Maserati MC12, a road clearance, gave Corvette the opportunity to attack the squads of the high curbs of old European tracks. These trump cards allowed Corvette to collect a crop of five victories at the stages of FIA GT over the past three seasons, including in the famous daily marathon of 24 hours of spa. Driving
A powerful engine and hurricane dynamics have long been the key to the success of this model. The latest generations are famous for the honed controllability.
Salon
Egoistically 2-seater, with high-quality materials and understandable ergonomics.
Comfort
No worse than in business class cars. Climate control and MP3 player are in the database, you can optionally install the navigation system.
Safety
Up the opportunity.
Price
Not determined.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Enviable dynamic properties, engine power and obedience to the steering wheel, bright appearance.
- The car will not appear on the Russian market. At least in the foreseeable future.
Specifications
Mark and model - Chevrolet Corvette C6
Dimensions - 4435x1844x1244 mm
Engine - gasoline, 6162 cm3, 437 hp/5900 min -1
Transmission - automatic (mechanical), 6 -speed
Dynamics - Max 306 km/h; 4.6 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Porsche 911
Our opinion
In vain, General Motors, retires from Corvette sales in Russia. Yes, sports cars are not in great demand with us. But such cars usually become part of the company's image, and GM with its single -platform, similar design and the aggregate part of models would not hurt at all.
Author: Dmitry Tytyuchenko
Source: Magazine 5 wheel [May 2008]