The Best 'Vette Yet!

Few cars create such an immediate mental image as Chevrolet's Corvette. Simply say the word, and an picture of sleek power springs to mind.

The current Corvette, which is the fifth iteration, is now available as three distinct cars. The classic convertible lets you drive with the wind in your hair but without the classic flexing and squeaks. That's because this generation Corvette was designed as a convertible first.

The Corvette Coupe comes as a hardtop or with a removable roof panel, and has the definitive wedge shape and room for golf clubs. And the newest of all is a notchback, on which you can get the highest performance Corvette package - the Z06.

In any guise, the current Vette gives you serious road holding, endless power, and maturity never before seen in Chevy's plastic wonder car.

Your maturity may vary.

A 'Vette that's Set for the Wet.

Not too long ago, the prospect of a 345 horsepower car on a rainy day would send you looking for the Parcheesi board. Better to play a nice quiet board game than tempt fate.

Then we took the Chevrolet Corvette out on an awful, puddly, rainy day, and it seemed not to notice.

Not only can you get traction control on the current Corvette, it comes with anti-spin technology. The car can sense when the back end is starting to come around, and apply differential braking to bring it back into line.

We took the Corvette out onto a sloppy parking lot and tried to break the rear end free. Switch the system off, and it would make tire smoke in just about any direction. Switch it back on, and the Corvette accelerated with little fuss or drama.

It still might not be your first choice to take to the store on a rainy day, but it's nice to know that you can leave the garage with a bit of confidence. But you might want to put the top up first.