There’s no mistaking a Corvette – be it from 1953 or 2010 – with any other car on the road.  For me, the 2010 Corvette Convertible’s silhouette with the top down is the best representation of a true American icon.

Pressing the ignition button gives the driver a taste of what is to come as the engine comes to life with a mighty roar.  After such an auspicious start, it was difficult to just drive on city streets (although the ride was surprising smooth and refined) so I made it a point to plot routes using as many winding back roads as possible.  With the top down, the Vette was in its element, exhibiting excellent stability and grace in cornering and the ability to pass any car in its way.  The symphonic V-8 was the only entertainment source I needed under the open skies.

A new feature, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, allows the driver to choose between Sport and Touring modes, which seems to have a positive effect on handling.  This system uses a magnetic fluid in the shock absorbers that adjusts the damping based on a combination of driving style and prevailing road conditions.

It was surprisingly easy to get in and out of the car although it took a while to get used to the electronic door release, a system that opens the door at the push of a button.  The bucket seats were comfortable and nicely finished; the optional custom leather-wrapped interior would have been more elegant minus the stitching.  The Bose stereo was good considering the limited options for speaker placement.  It was easy enough to pair my mobile phone to the car’s Bluetooth system but its value was somewhat limited because it couldn’t access any of our phones’ contact lists.

My favorite accessory was the Head-up Display, which displays speed, tachometer, turn-by-turn directions, audio information, and g-force, which is a measure of acceleration.

While the Corvette Convertible lacks some of the refinements found in European sports cars, it’s significantly less expensive than other cars in its class.

All Corvettes come with a unique option: customers can take delivery at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, an experience that includes a tour of the Corvette Assembly Plant and membership in the museum itself.

THE DETAILS

–Jonathan B. Spira is the Editor of Executive Road Warrior and Chief Analyst at Basex, a knowledge economy research firm.

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