The C6 Corvette, 2005–2013

C6 Corvette history

The C6 kept the C5's basic layout — hydroformed frame, rear-mounted transaxle, aluminum small-block — but was shorter overall and brought back exposed headlamps for the first time since 1962. Its LS2 6.0L V8 was rated at 400 hp and 400 lb-ft.

The 2006 Z06 used the 7.0-liter LS7, rated at 505 hp — the largest-displacement small-block GM had produced. For 2008 the base car moved to the 6.2L LS3 (430 hp), and the 2009 ZR1 introduced the supercharged LS9 at 638 hp, which Chevrolet called the most powerful small-block it had installed in a production car.

From 2010 the Grand Sport combined the base engine with the Z06's wider body and chassis parts. The 1.5 millionth Corvette was built during the C6 run in 2009, a year when the recession cut production to 16,956 cars.[1],[2],[3],[4]

Years and production numbers

Generations and key variants

Engine and drivetrain facts

• The LS2 was a 6.0L aluminum small-block rated at 400 hp at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm.
• The LS7's 7.0-liter (427 cu in) displacement made it the largest small-block GM had produced; it was rated at 505 hp at 6,300 rpm.
• The ZR1's LS9 was a supercharged 6.2L V8 rated at 638 hp at 6,500 rpm.

Sources:[1],[2]

What changed, generation by generation

1. 2005Sixth generation launches with the 400 hp LS2 and exposed headlamps; convertible follows.
2. 2006Z06 with the 505 hp 7.0L LS7; six-speed automatic with paddle shift for base cars.
3. 2008LS3 6.2L replaces the LS2 at 430 hp.
4. 2009Supercharged 638 hp ZR1; the 1.5 millionth Corvette is built.
5. 2010Grand Sport returns, combining the base engine with Z06-width bodywork.
6. 2013Final C6 model year.

Sources:[1],[2],[3]

What to check before you buy one

• Confirm which engine the car has — LS2 (2005–2007), LS3 (2008–2013), LS7 (Z06) or LS9 (ZR1) — and that the badges match the VIN and paperwork.
• On LS7 Z06 cars, ask for records of any cylinder-head or valve-train inspection or work, and consider an inspection by a shop that specializes in LS engines.
• Listen for driveline clunks from the rear-mounted transaxle on the test drive and check for fluid leaks.
• Look for modifications and tunes, and inspect the composite body and frame rails for accident repair.
• Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and ask a dealer to confirm open campaigns are complete.

Engine guides: LS3 6.2L V8, LS7 7.0L V8.

How to verify a C6 Corvette's factory options

On a C6, the difference between a base coupe and a well-optioned car lives in RPO codes — Z51, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the 3LT/4LT interiors, the dual-mode exhaust and Grand Sport content. CarWhere checks for licensed VIN-level build data and decodes the ordered-option RPO codes it holds for the VIN; it is not necessarily the complete Service Parts Identification list.