Chevy Changes Mind, Gives ‘Vette New Life

Fri., Feb. 13, 1998

SHOWSTOPPERS NO. 2

Chevrolet put the automotive world on its ear last year with the introduction of the fifth-generation Corvette (impress the cognescenti - call it the C5).

For a car that was rumored to be heading for history’s trash heap, the ‘Vette sure rebounded in fine style; everyone agrees this is one of the best vintages yet. It’s powerful (345-hp), solid as a rock and more comfortable than any ‘Vette before it.

Late in the year, a good-looking convertible joined the family, and in a world of power softtops, Chevrolet stuck with a manual lid, thus saving weight, space and money. The good news is that it works like a dream.

The Corvette’s sibling, the Camaro, finally lives up to its promise with the fortuitous combination of a more civilized ride and more power, via a 305-hp V-8 (the Z28 and SS models both get a 320-hp iteration of the Corvette LS1 engine and the trust 3.8-liter V-6 remains the base engine).

The Camaro also gets a mild facelift, featuring new headlights and a cool, new grille.

In other GM news, the Geo nameplate goes away this year, though its cars stick around. Yep, the economical Metro and the Toyota-build Prizm are now Chevrolets. The Prizm gets a subtle facelift, more power and optional side-impact airbags for the front seats.

The subcompact Cavalier LS convertible will be replaced by a 150-hp Z24 model, the compact Malibu gets optional leather seats and Lumina sedans and Monte Carlo coupes feature optional on-board communications systems.

Venture minivans now get side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and, on short-wheelbase models, an optional driver’s-side rear sliding door

Trucks and SUVs

A boldly freshened Blazer joins the ‘98 model year, with a new grille, composite halogen headlights and bodyside moldings. A passenger-side airbag and four-wheel ABS are now standard, there’s a new instrument panel, better seats and a long list of detail improvements.

A single 4.3-liter, 190-hhp V-6 continues as the only powerplant, though a 5.7-liter V-8 is rumored (but apparently not imminent).

S-10 trucks get the same changes, with the addition of a switchable passenger-side airbag.

In addition to the redesigned seats, there’s a better audio system and a couple more ponies for the base 2.2-liter inline four - it’s up to 120 hp.

If you like those automatic 4WD systems that do the thinking for you, you’ll appreciate the availability of the full-time AutoTrac system on the full-size SUV Tahoe - it sends power to the wheels that need it without you having to lift a finger. Otherwise, there’s a new Comfort and Security package which includes many detail improvements.

Now that the Geo division has folded, Tracker becomes an official Chevrolet model. Other than a new logo, not a lot changes.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.