The cockpit is dressed up with notable upgrades to create a more functional compartment that's stylish and comfortable.

The design team dressed up the cockpit with notable upgrades in materials and forms to create a more functional compartment that's stylish and quite comfortable.

A pair of sumptuous glove-tight seats flanks a spine-mounted center console. Each composite seat frame with an aluminum base pares weight from the C5 seat while improving in stiffness and lateral support.

The instrument panel shows round analog gauges rimmed in aluminum rings and arranged in three overlapping pairs with black faces, legible white lettering and bright red needles. The larger tachometer and speedometer stand in the center spot, with the speedometer notched way up there at 200 mph.

It also employs GM's keyless technology. Simply carry the key fob in pocket or purse and the car recognizes you electronically. Driver's door unlocks automatically when you touch the door handle.

To start the engine, step on the brake pedal and depress the Start button, located on the dashboard to the right of the steering column. Turn off the engine by pressing the same switch.

You must set the manual transmission stick in Reverse position before the driver's door unlocks for exit -- and instead of a lever to open the door there's an electronic button to push. Walk away with the key fob in pocket and doors lock automatically -- it's like having a magic genie on tap to lock the doors, and you'll never have to touch a key or fob.

Primary difference between coupe and convertible concerns the treatment of the roof, of course. The hatchback-style coupe has a detachable hard panel - either solid in magnesium or clear but tinted in polycarbonate - that stows in the rear bay.

The convertible has a five-layer fabric lid that tucks below a rigid tonneau topped by twin nacelle blisters trailing behind the seatbacks. It operates manually with ease, although electric power is available for folding the top automatically in 18 seconds.

Each version stocks the same engine, Corvette's new LS2 plant, an overhead-valve V8 cast from aluminum with a displacement of 6.0 liters. The plant delivers big numbers - 400 hp at 6000 rpm and 400 lb-ft at 4400 rpm.

Transmission link is a malleable six-speed manual gearbox by Tremec, which has two sets of gear ratios - the shorter ratios, designed for aggressive acceleration, comes with Corvette's optional Z51 performance suspension package. There is also an optional upgrade to the Hydra-Matic 4L65-E four-speed automatic transmission.

This new Corvette rolls on larger wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 GS extended mobility tires -- 18-inch front P245/40ZR18 and 19-inch rear P285/35ZR19.

The hydroformed-rail platform is lighter but more rigid than for predecessor C5, with stronger disc brakes aboard and a new independent short/long-arm suspension, plus a range of sophisticated chassis control systems available including three different suspension settings -- Standard, Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC) and Z51.

Here's the coolest aspect of the new C6: MSRP for a 2005 Corvette Coupe with the six-speed manual shifter tallies to $43,445, which is more than $1,000 less than the C5 coupe of 2004 with a manual transmission applied.

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