2012 Chevrolet

2012 Chevrolet

The old saying "the rich get richer" can be changed to "the fast get faster" when talking about the 2012 Corvette.

Chevrolet is letting it be known that they are going to "elevate" the performance of 2012 Corvette with performance and interior upgrades to the Z06 and ZR1 models. This "elevation" will be debuted at a special event at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky. with production beginning 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.”

One of the ways the new Corvette is going to achieve higher performance levels can be found in the wheel wells. The Z06 and ZR1 will be available with optional Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires which are advertised to be “competition-oriented tires, optimized for warm, dry conditions to increase cornering and handling capability”.

Chevrolet is reporting that when combined with the Corvette’s exclusive Performance Traction Management technology which manages torque delivery,  the new tires are expected to achieve an estimate 8-percent gain in maximum lateral acceleration to more than 1.1g. Of course, the better grip supplied by the new tires will also improve braking distance and performance. According to tests done at Virginia International Raceway, the new tires improved lap times approximately three seconds per lap. The Performance Traction Management will be offered on the Z06 for the first time in 2012.

Developed by the same Michelin engineers who develop tires for Corvette Racing in the American Le Mans Series, the Cup ZP tires 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.

Other performance upgrades include a full-width racing-style spoiler for improved aerodynamics which is included in both the Z07 and PDE packages. Also, the Z06 model will now offer Magnetic Selective Ride Control and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes will be  part of the Z07 chassis package (they are standard on ZR1).  A carbon fiber hood will be an available option on 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.

Inside, 2012 Corvette will have a new seat design and a new steering wheel. The seats feature larger bolsters on the seat back and cushion areas. Microfiber suede seat inserts are optional and improve tactile feel, as well as add additional support. There is also a 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 which is available with the custom leather-wrapped interior.

For your ears there 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.

Last but not least, customers can now select brake caliper colors for more personalization of their Corvette. The calipers are offered in the red, yellow, silver or gray.