An entirely new Corvette, the C5 was introduced in 1997 and ran through 2004. Customer expectations and performance standards had changed in recent years and the C5 Corvette delivered. Prior to the C5 high performance meant a noisy and uncomfortable ride, with advancements in technology this was no longer the case.

Although the C5 styling, structural rigidity and much more curvaceous design was new there was no mistaking it was a Corvette. Despite the fact the door sills were almost four inches lower the chassis was much more ridged than its predecessors allowing for more precise handling and less potential for rattles. The wheel base increased more than eight inches which gave the C5 a roomier passenger area.