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Corvette Web Central News, Issue #008 June 2011
May 01, 2011

Congrats to the March Hat Winner Paul!

Congratulations to our winner Paul and to everyone who signed up for our newsletter and hat giveaway! As a special bonus and thank you, we would like to extend to you, our valued reader, 20% off the C5 Corvette Book of Knowledge Owners/Buyers Guide & Membership!! Simply enter the discount code, "20percent" (without the quotation marks) at checkout when you visit, https://www.corvette-web-central.com/Corvette-buyers-guide.html Use the code as soon as possible as this exceptional offer will expire one week after release or 5/8/11.

Check us out in the back of the periodical Corvette Magazine promoting both the C5 and C6 E guides! Look for us in the June issue!

In addition, for a limited time, we're giving away free cool Corvette hats in our online store, http://corvettewebcentral.myshopify.com/ We offer already low prices on top of these exceptional free hats and can't afford to run this promotion forever!



Corvette Racing News

Corvette Racing survived two hours of street fighting to finish second and fifth in the American Le Mans Series at Long Beach California. The race was completed under a yellow flag one of only two for a normally crash laden race. Luckily for the BMW team the yellow flag flew since the #4 piloted by Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin were gaining in the Compuware Corvette C6.R.

Corvette Racing's next event is the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Le Mans, France, on June 11-12, 2011. The race will start at 3:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 11. Read More at Corvette Racing>>>

C7 Corvette

The latest rumor is that the C7 will not be coming out until 2013. Also that it will be more of an evolution of the C6. The next interesting thing is that it will most likely have a short production run like the midyears. The new Corvette will still be built in the Bowling Green Plant. Equipment upgrades have begun and union contracts have been signed.

C6 Corvette 2012 Changes

2012 New Features:

• Exterior colors: (58U) Carbon Flash Metallic (included and only available with [ZLC] Chevrolet Centennial Special Edition) (GLF) Carlisle Blue Metallic • (ZLC) Chevrolet Centennial Special Edition Commemorates Chevrolet’s 100thanniversary. Available on 3LT, 4LT, 3LZ and 3ZR. Includes (58U) CarbonFlash Metallic exterior color, special Chevrolet Centennial Black wheels (specific to model) with special center cap logos, Satin Black graphics, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Red brake calipers, special badging, Ebony seating surfaces with suede accents and Red stitching, Custom Leather wrapped instrument panel and doors (except 3LT), seat embossment, steering wheel badge and special interior trim plate. • New 2LT Technology Package featuring Bluetooth1 for select phones, Head-Up Display, Bose, navigation and USB port2 • (34T) Blue convertible top (interim introduction during 2011MY) • (RUL) 5-spoke, Chevrolet Centennial Black with Red stripe aluminum, 18" front and 19" rear wheels (included and only available on Coupe and Convertible with [ZLC] Chevrolet Centennial Special Edition) • (RUM) Grand Sport Chevrolet Centennial Black aluminum, 18" front and 19" rear wheels (included and only available on Grand Sport with [ZLC] Chevrolet Centennial Special Edition) • (RUR) Chevrolet Centennial Black with Red stripe, cup style aluminum, 19" front and 20" rear wheels (included and only available on Z06 and ZR1 with [ZLC] Chevrolet Centennial Special Edition) • (RUV) Black cup style lightweight aluminum, 19" front and 20" rear wheels (included and only available on Z06 with [F55] Magnetic Selective Ride Control or [Z07] Z06 Ultimate Performance Package; also included and only available on ZR1 with [PDE] ZR1 High Performance Package) • (Q5V) Machined-face, cup style aluminum, 19" front and 20" rear wheels, available on Z06 (with F55 or Z07) and ZR1 • (XFH) Michelin PS Cup tires (included and only available with [Z07] Z06 Ultimate Performance Package or [PDE] ZR1 High Performance Package) • (PDE) ZR1 High Performance Package, includes (RUV) Black cup style lightweight 19" front and 20" rear wheels, (XFH) Michelin PS Cup tires and (MH3) 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission • New (F55) Magnetic Selective Ride Control available with Z06, includes Performance Traction Management (PTM), (RUV) Black cup style lightweight aluminum wheels and (XFG) Michelin PS2 tires • Z07 now includes Performance Traction Management (PTM), (XFH) Michelin PS Cup tires (optimized for warm, dry weather performance with reduced tread wear rating), (RUV) Black cup style lightweight aluminum wheels, (F55) Magnetic Selective Ride Control and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes • (B92) Carbon fiber hood available for Z06 • Colored calipers available in (J6D) Dark Gray Metallic, (J6F) Red (standard on Z06), (J6C) Silver (standard on Grand Sport) and (J6E) Yellow • (PIN) Customer selectable VIN (restrictions and approval required, available for SOLD orders only)

Changes from 2011:

• Front and rear tires are now represented with 1 RPO code • (MM6) is now the RPO code for the 6-speed manual transmission for Coupe, Convertible and Z06 • (MZ6) is now the RPO code for the 6-speed manual transmission for Grand Sport • (ME2) is now the RPO code for the 6-speed manual transmission for ZR1 • (MYC) is now the RPO code for the 6-speed automatic transmission • 3LT, 4LT and 2LZ now include (U3U) navigation1 audio system and USB port2 • New steering wheel design • Suede seat inserts included on 4LT, 3LZ, 3ZR • Bose audio upgrade to 9 speakers with new subwoofers • (J55) Brake calipers painted Black

Deletions from 2012:

• Exterior colors ––(41U) Black ––(85U) Jetstream Blue Metallic Tintcoat • (US9) AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer

2012 New Corvette Seat Design (Centennial Edition Shown)



Official Press Release: Chevrolet announced April 28th 2011 that it will once again elevate Corvette’s performance capabilities with a series of improvements for the 2012 model year that improve on-track performance and on-road comfort. They include enhancements to the high-performance Z06 and ZR1 models as well as interior upgrades across the Corvette lineup.

Sports car fans will get their first look at the 2012 models – including the racing-inspired appearance of the Chevrolet Centennial Edition – at a special event this weekend at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky. Production begins in July.

“We constantly strive to make the Corvette a better car on the road and the track,” says Tadge Juechter, Corvette vehicle line director and chief engineer. “For 2012, the Corvette lineup achieves its highest performance level ever, while at the same time being easier to drive and enjoy thanks to several changes and new features inside the car.”

New Michelin Cup ZP tires elevate Z06/ZR1 performance

Corvette’s greater performance for 2012 begins with the new, optional Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires, which are available on the two highest-performing models, the lightweight, 505-hp (377 kW) Z06 and the maximum-performance, 638-hp (476 kW) supercharged ZR1. They are competition-oriented tires, optimized for warm, dry conditions to increase cornering and handling capability.

When combined with the Corvette’s exclusive Performance Traction Management (PTM) technology – which manages torque delivery for maximum performance – the tires are expected to help set new benchmarks for Corvette performance. Engineers estimate an 8-percent gain in maximum lateral acceleration, to more than 1.1g, and improved braking distance. Testing at Virginia International Raceway has demonstrated improvement of approximately three seconds per lap.

The Cup ZP tires were developed by the same Michelin engineers who develop tires for Corvette Racing in the American Le Mans Series and are essentially street-legal versions of a racing tire. They are included in the optional Z07 performance package on the Corvette Z06 and a new PDE performance package on the ZR1. The 285/30-19 (front) and 335/25-20 (rear) tires are matched with all-new aluminum Cup-style wheels in satin black or machined finishes. They are about five pounds lighter (2.2 kg) and stronger than the 20-spoke wheel offered in 2011.

Performance Traction Management (offered on the Z06 for the first time in 2012) is an advanced system that optimizes traction for greater and more consistent on-track performance. The system also integrates traction control, active handling and selective ride control systems to enhance race track driving consistency and overall performance. When full throttle is applied upon exiting a corner, it automatically manages acceleration dynamics.

A full-width racing-style spoiler for improved aerodynamics is also included in both the ’12 Z07 and PDE packages. The Z06 model will now offer Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology – an innovation Corvette pioneered several years ago. And as before, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes will be a part of the Z07 chassis package (they are standard on ZR1). Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires remain standard on the ZR1.

A carbon fiber hood will be an available option on 2012 Z06 models, while the standard manual transmission for ZR1 will include taller gearing in fifth and sixth gears, for a 2-mpg improvement in highway fuel economy.

Interior and feature changes

All 2012 Corvette models will include a new seat design and a new steering wheel. The seats feature larger bolsters on the seat back and cushion areas, which provide better driver support, especially in high-performance driving while remaining comfortable for daily street driving. Microfiber suede seat inserts are optional and improve tactile feel, as well as add additional support.

The new seats are complemented by the revised steering wheel, featuring model-specific badges, streamlined switch trim and wrapped spokes. Padded center console and armrests for all models are now included for 2012. An additional visual touch inside the car is contrasting color stitching – in red, blue and yellow – which is available with the custom leather-wrapped interior.

Also coming in 2012 is a new Bose uplevel audio system, which includes nine speakers (compared to seven in 2011) for improved audio quality that is more precisely tuned to the cabin’s acoustics. New tweeters located in the instrument panel and improved Bose Nd next-generation bass performance is the main benefit that Corvette drivers will hear.

A new Technology Package (2LT trim level) brings together many of the Corvette’s popular infotainment features and makes them available for more models. The package’s equipment includes the navigation radio, head-up display, Bose premium audio system, Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity and a USB port.

Wrapping up the new features for 2012 is the availability for customers to select brake caliper colors, for more personalization of their Corvette. The calipers are offered in the red, yellow, silver or gray.

2012 Centennial Edition

Official Press Release: Chevrolet, founded by a racing pioneer 100 years ago, celebrates its performance heritage with the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette, which features a sleek black color scheme, unique design elements and Corvette’s trademark sports car technology.

The 2012 Centennial Edition package will be available on all Corvette models – including Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 – starting this summer.

The special package was inspired by Chevrolet’s racing-bred foundation, which continues with Corvette’s international racing excellence and production sports car prominence.

“Racing and performance are the roots of Chevrolet, a tradition carried forward today by Corvette,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The Centennial Edition not only celebrates our 100 years, it once again pushes Corvette forward for a new generation of sports car fans.”

Chevrolet will auction a Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in West Palm Beach, Fla., on April 9, with the proceeds to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. It will be the 100th 2012 Corvette off the assembly line, with a vehicle identification number ending in “00100.”

The Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette expresses racing heritage, but does so with a sleek, modern, even sinister-looking appearance. The Centennial Edition package comes exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic, with satin-black graphics and unique Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers. The wheels are constructed of lightweight cast-spun aluminum and include a thin red outline around the perimeter of its surface on the Z06. The wheels are specific to the respective Corvette models, including 18-inch/19-inch for Coupe, Convertible and Grand Sport; and 19-inch/20-inch for Z06 and ZR1.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension and a technology advance initiated by Corvette, is included on all Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette models.

The Centennial Edition also features special badges that signify Chevrolet’s racing history. A graphic logo featuring an iconic image of Louis Chevrolet appears on the B-pillars, the center caps of the wheels, and the center of the steering wheel. The seat headrests also carry an embossed centennial logo.

Aficionados will note one other small detail: The historic crossed flags badge contains a small adaptation, with “100” in place of the traditional fleur-de-lis symbol, only for the Centennial Edition.

The exterior color scheme is reinforced inside the car, with the Ebony leather-wrapped instrument panel and doors complimented by red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, console and shifter. Microfiber suede accents on Centennial Edition seats, steering wheel, shifter and armrests were first used on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Limited Edition.

The Chevrolet Centennial Edition will be available on all Corvette models via order code ZLC. Pricing will be released this summer prior to the start of availability.

“Louis Chevrolet was a fearless racing pioneer who also designed our first car,” Scheidt said. “Corvette is a natural fit to honor that legacy, while creating a compelling new package for sports car drivers.”

Barrett-Jackson auction details

Chevrolet chose to debut the Centennial Edition Corvette at Barrett-Jackson to enable the auction proceeds to go to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. The foundation supporting children and families dealing with cancer is a key partner with the American Le Mans Series, in which Corvette Racing is an integral participant.

The 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette Z06 (VIN 100) to be auctioned is based on the production 3LZ model with the Z07 performance package, new Z06 carbon fiber hood and CFZ carbon fiber package, which includes:

* Bose premium sound system, with one-year XM subscription, navigation and USB * Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity * Power-adjustable and heated seats * Memory package, home remote, Head Up Display and power-telescoping steering wheel * The Custom Leather Wrapped Interior Package, with leather-wrapped upper instrument panels, upper door trim panels and console storage cover and red contrasting stitching * Z07 performance package, including Brembo ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control and 19-inch/20-inch wheels and Michelin tires * CFZ package includes carbon fiber rockers, front splitter and roof * New Carbon Fiber raised hood option for Z06, which was introduced on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Edition.

The winning bidder will also receive the Corvette Engine Build Experience program – which allows Z06 or ZR1 buyers to build their own engine alongside expert technicians – as well as the opportunity to take delivery of the car at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky.



corvett2@corvette-web-central.com

Corvette Buyers Guide News

Just Released the C6 Corvette Buyers Owners Guide "C6 Corvette Book of Knowledge". This book expands the buyers guide series to 2 books! Combined they have 250 pages and almost 60,000 fact filled words!

The C5 Corvette Buyers Owners guide, "C5 Corvette Book of Knowledge," continues to grow! We just sent out revision 1 free of charge. We updated the inspection, storage and road test checklists. In addition we added some more great recommended products.

We are rapidly expanding the members area that comes with the E guide. The members area is designed to be easy to use and contain links and information vital to C5 Corvette ownership and maintenance. We just added a video player with helpful information. This is in addition to a parts manual and pdf versions of official owners manuals and DIY links.

For the past several months we have been working on the next E guide in the series of Buyers Owners Guides. This E guide will continue on the great success of the C5 Book of Knowledge. The new E guide will be for the C6 and will stay with the same title. The "C6 Corvette Book of Knowledge" will be unique to C6 Corvettes. We will also be in the back of the periodical Corvette Magazine promoting both the C5 and C6 E guides! Look for us in the June issue!

Corvette Museum 2011 Events

Click here for all the 2011 Corvette events!

C5 Corvette Book of Knowledge Buyers & Owners Guide

Well, we did it! After years of research and hard work we finally finished the C5 Book of Knowledge! The book evolved into more of a well round ownership experience book. Consider it a bible for C5 Corvette owners!
It instills the tools to empower every Corvette enthusiast to purchase, own and maintain their dream C5 Corvette. The book also teaches you what makes the C5 generation unique along the way. We provide you with the tools and the knowledge to keep your life easy! You only need to provide enthusiastic passion... The C5 Corvette Book of Knowledge! This link lists more details on the E Publication!


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