Chevrolet Corvette C06 and SSR

v1p3r · 14th June 2005, 19:40

Hey

To begin with, I didn't actually drive the cars. This is a first impression report.

Corvette - Blood red. Low slung. Sexy. Screams out to your senses in every possible way. Looks like 300kmh standing still. Turns out it gets to 299!

The Garuda guys had cordoned them off, but with a lot of persistence (and some threats), we got up close and personal. The 'Vette hits you. For us, starved for a sporty car, this is manna. Popped the hood to look at the largest engine I have ever seen - the 6.0 ltr V8, codenamed LS2, which puts out between 390 and 500 bhp, depending on state of tune. Twin air intakes from the front grille, each almost bigger than our engines, snake under the matte plastic engine cover. You are left to gawk at the sheer size of the thing.

SSR - In bright canary yellow, it hits you like a ton of bricks. Weighs considerably more. Huge is NOT the word! The damn thing's wheels are offset from the body by what seems to be close to a foot! The retractable roof looks bloody good, and you instantly go from a top-up closed bed pick up, to a wind-in-your-hair feel. Then the guy popped open the bed/trunk. All the accumulated junk from however long the twins have been in India, from Optra and Tavera brochures, to plastic seat coverings, were haphazardly piled around. Sad to see such poor treatment.

Got to check out the interiors on the SSR. For an American car, design wasn't too bad. But quality continues to scrape the bottom of the barrel. Pathetic, for a great (copied) external design. There is tons of space, but somehow because of the high sill on the front and sides, you don't really feel it. Not very enticing.

The Corvette interiors look equally cheap, right down to the painted silver console, a la Ford Ikon.

The exteriors are where American build quality really shows. Uneven shut lines on both of them abound everywhere. The Corvette's bumper, as famously pointed out by JC, can be poked concave with your little finger. The SSR has rubber beading straying out from the shut lines around the boot. The 'Vette has screws popping out of the rear lights. Suspension components were showing signs of oxidation.

But why pick on their quality. American cars and quality are like buying diesel Indicas for a drag. True bliss is rare. It is the cranking of an American V8. First the sharp crack of the starter motor. Then as the motor whines and fades out, you become aware of a deep bass rumble. Like a 300 pound gorilla clearing his throat. He keeps clearing. And clearing... and then he ROARS. Heavy metal thunder. Actually, there are no words to describe it. A V8 is a V8 is a V8. Period.

So after all that, the running from Sundaram to Garuda in mid-day traffic, the arguing with the showroom guys to start the engine up, the horrible build quality, what do I think? I loved it! After all, a V8 is a V8 is a V8!

iceman91 · 14th June 2005, 19:46

next time you wanna hear a v8...see it and sit in it...just give me a call

v1p3r · 14th June 2005, 20:50

Consider this a call! I wanna see a V8! Hear it! Sit in it! Forever!!!

ported_head · 14th June 2005, 22:31

Iceman, what about people who want hear flat-sixes?

v1p3r · 14th June 2005, 23:12

While we're at it, can I add a V10 and a V12 to the list?!

Gordon · 14th June 2005, 23:23

A picture of both of them at the Speed Run 2005.

Revvmaster · 15th June 2005, 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ported_head

Iceman, what about people who want hear flat-sixes?

And what about inline 6s and V-10s. For nothing is my signature anything else...

Mpower · 15th June 2005, 03:18

Trust me, the inline six from Munich sounds pretty gruff when its revved. What you want to hear is a flat plane V8.

islero · 15th June 2005, 07:41

You should see the V8 in an Impala, it looks sooooooooo delicious!!!!

Montoya · 15th June 2005, 11:00

Quote:

next time you wanna hear a v8...see it and sit in it...just give me a call

Which V8 you talking about Ice.. is your baleno having 1.8V8

v1p3r Man lucky you the dealership dont have them anymore atleast in mumbai but saw the corvette none the less in motor show..

iceman91 · 15th June 2005, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montoya

v1p3r Man lucky you the dealership dont have them anymore atleast in mumbai but saw the corvette none the less in motor show..

the reason being montoya the same ones are here in bangalore now. its a nationwide publicity event

14th June 2005, 19:40	#1
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	Chevrolet Corvette C06 and SSR Hey To begin with, I didn't actually drive the cars. This is a first impression report. Corvette - Blood red. Low slung. Sexy. Screams out to your senses in every possible way. Looks like 300kmh standing still. Turns out it gets to 299! The Garuda guys had cordoned them off, but with a lot of persistence (and some threats), we got up close and personal. The 'Vette hits you. For us, starved for a sporty car, this is manna. Popped the hood to look at the largest engine I have ever seen - the 6.0 ltr V8, codenamed LS2, which puts out between 390 and 500 bhp, depending on state of tune. Twin air intakes from the front grille, each almost bigger than our engines, snake under the matte plastic engine cover. You are left to gawk at the sheer size of the thing. SSR - In bright canary yellow, it hits you like a ton of bricks. Weighs considerably more. Huge is NOT the word! The damn thing's wheels are offset from the body by what seems to be close to a foot! The retractable roof looks bloody good, and you instantly go from a top-up closed bed pick up, to a wind-in-your-hair feel. Then the guy popped open the bed/trunk. All the accumulated junk from however long the twins have been in India, from Optra and Tavera brochures, to plastic seat coverings, were haphazardly piled around. Sad to see such poor treatment. Got to check out the interiors on the SSR. For an American car, design wasn't too bad. But quality continues to scrape the bottom of the barrel. Pathetic, for a great (copied) external design. There is tons of space, but somehow because of the high sill on the front and sides, you don't really feel it. Not very enticing. The Corvette interiors look equally cheap, right down to the painted silver console, a la Ford Ikon. The exteriors are where American build quality really shows. Uneven shut lines on both of them abound everywhere. The Corvette's bumper, as famously pointed out by JC, can be poked concave with your little finger. The SSR has rubber beading straying out from the shut lines around the boot. The 'Vette has screws popping out of the rear lights. Suspension components were showing signs of oxidation. But why pick on their quality. American cars and quality are like buying diesel Indicas for a drag. True bliss is rare. It is the cranking of an American V8. First the sharp crack of the starter motor. Then as the motor whines and fades out, you become aware of a deep bass rumble. Like a 300 pound gorilla clearing his throat. He keeps clearing. And clearing... and then he ROARS. Heavy metal thunder. Actually, there are no words to describe it. A V8 is a V8 is a V8. Period. So after all that, the running from Sundaram to Garuda in mid-day traffic, the arguing with the showroom guys to start the engine up, the horrible build quality, what do I think? I loved it! After all, a V8 is a V8 is a V8!
	() Thanks

14th June 2005, 19:46	#2
iceman91 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: melbourne/banga Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	next time you wanna hear a v8...see it and sit in it...just give me a call
	() Thanks

14th June 2005, 20:50	#3
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	Consider this a call! I wanna see a V8! Hear it! Sit in it! Forever!!!
	() Thanks

14th June 2005, 22:31	#4
ported_head Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 2,387 Thanked: 20 Times	Iceman, what about people who want hear flat-sixes?
	() Thanks

14th June 2005, 23:12	#5
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	While we're at it, can I add a V10 and a V12 to the list?!
	() Thanks

14th June 2005, 23:23	#6
Gordon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,546 Thanked: 483 Times View My Garage	A picture of both of them at the Speed Run 2005.
	() Thanks

15th June 2005, 03:18	#8
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Trust me, the inline six from Munich sounds pretty gruff when its revved. What you want to hear is a flat plane V8.
	() Thanks

15th June 2005, 07:41	#9
islero Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,574 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	You should see the V8 in an Impala, it looks sooooooooo delicious!!!!
	() Thanks