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