For 2008, the Chevrolet Corvette will undergo what the professionals call a mid-cycle freshening. Usually that amounts to a facelift, but in this case the heartbeat of America gets a transplant, a brand new engine.

The new Corvette engine features a new cylinder block, new high-flow cylinder heads, a new valve train, and new intake and exhaust systems, among other changes. It’s rated at 430 horsepower, an increase of 9 percent over the 400 hp in the 2006 version, which was already an extremely quick and fast sports car.

Chevrolet says the 2008 Corvette can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about four seconds flat, it can cover the standing quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at 117 mph, and tops out at 190 mph.

As before, the Corvette will be offered in coupe and convertible models, although the coupes are targa tops, with lightweight, easily removable top sections in either tinted clear plastic or body-color plastic.

The 2008 Corvette will have two new six-speed manual transmissions to choose from, one for street driving and one for weekend competitions. And a six-speed automatic transmission is available with a floor shifter and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The transmission software has been upgraded to provide faster, more positive upshifts and downshifts, blipping the throttle automatically on every downshift to match engine rpm to the selected gear.

Two suspensions are available: The F55 suspension features fast-acting magnetic shock absorbers that automatically adjust to road surfaces and vehicle conditions such as pitch, dive, roll and yaw, to keep the tires planted on the pavement. The Z51 suspension uses higher rate springs and shock absorbers, heavier anti-roll bars, Goodyear F1 Supercar EMT run-flat tires, and quicker steering. We’re guessing this will result in racier handling and a stiffer ride quality.

If all the 2008 Corvette offered was acceleration, braking and handling equal to high-dollar exotics, it would still be the darling of car buffs everywhere. But a surprising level of utility comes along for the ride, too. The Corvette offers a user-friendly cockpit, a massive amount of luggage space and a ride quality that’s comfortable enough for daily commuting and long freeway slogs.

The only quibbles we have with the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette are few and relatively minor. Although the base interior is better than years past, it’s still somewhat plain and has too much plastic trim for a car in this price range. Nor can the Corvette match the nimble handling of European models like the BMW M coupe and roadster. But for the majority of shoppers in this segment, those items will likely be minor issues. For the money, it doesn’t get any better than the Corvette.
Standard Engine:
6.2L V8, 16 valve, 430 hp @ 5900 rpm
6 speed manual (standard) or 6 speed automatic transmission

Standard Features for LT1:
Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor
All-Speed Traction Control
In-Glass Radio Antenna
Standard Features for LT2, LT3 and LT4:
Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags
All-Speed Traction Control
In-Glass Radio Antenna