Fifth-generation Corvette (C5, 1997–2004)
1997–2004
The fifth-generation Corvette (1997–2004) was a clean-sheet design built around the new aluminum LS1 V8 and a rear transaxle for near-50/50 balance. It dramatically improved refinement and structure, and revived the Z06 badge for 2001 with the LS6 — eventually 405 hp — after a 38-year absence.
Photo: Cutlass / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1997–2004
Overview
The fifth-generation Corvette (1997–2004) was a clean-sheet design built around the new aluminum LS1 V8 and a rear transaxle for near-50/50 balance. It dramatically improved refinement and structure, and revived the Z06 badge for 2001 with the LS6 — eventually 405 hp — after a 38-year absence.
Milestones
Highlights
- Introduced the LS1, the first of GM's modern LS V8 family.
- Rear transaxle layout for improved weight distribution.
- The Z06 returned for 2001 (LS6, up to 405 hp from 2002).
Model years in this generation
Browse scale models for this generation. Check each listing for its actual year, trim and scale.