More 2012 Corvette stuff and new tires...
04-28-2011, 04:34 PM
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More 2012 Corvette stuff and new tires...
Originally Posted by GM
Interior enhancements, new performance packages highlight upgrades
2011-04-28
DETROIT – Chevrolet announced today 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 theChevrolet 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.
2011-04-28
DETROIT – Chevrolet announced today 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 theChevrolet 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.
I'm sort of confused about a few things like when they mention the Magnetic Selective Ride control being offered as an option for the first time on the Z06... they must mean individually as it was part of the Z07 package. Also is the full width spoiler any different than the ZR1 spoiler that you could get with CFZ? Hood looks like it is an individual option now too.
04-28-2011, 04:36 PM
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Re: More 2012 Corvette stuff and new tires...
Video about tires:
http://youtu.be/CR__Xxu3xzw
http://youtu.be/CR__Xxu3xzw
Last edited by HAZ-Matt; 04-28-2011 at 04:41 PM.
04-28-2011, 09:14 PM
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Re: More 2012 Corvette stuff and new tires...
I'll have to check out the Michelin Cup tire? I guess its an evolution of the Sport Cup (ZP design not withstanding).
They've also introduced the Pilot Super Sport which should eventually replace the Pilot Sport 2. If only they had a 285/35R19 in the PSS as the PSS is supposed to not only out perform the PS2 but last longer as well.
Anyways, the new Cup tire on the vette should be interesting.
They've also introduced the Pilot Super Sport which should eventually replace the Pilot Sport 2. If only they had a 285/35R19 in the PSS as the PSS is supposed to not only out perform the PS2 but last longer as well.
Anyways, the new Cup tire on the vette should be interesting.
04-28-2011, 11:56 PM
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04-29-2011, 09:25 AM
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04-29-2011, 03:27 PM
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Re: More 2012 Corvette stuff and new tires...
It wont be. In GM's press release it said "revised" steering wheel, as in the one in the pics of the cenntenial black car. They carried the leather or suede wrap onto the spokes and have new bezels around the radio controls and bottom spoke, as well as new diamond stitch pattern. Thats the revision. No chance in hell are they gonna certify a new airbag this late in the C6 lifecycle.
I have never been a Vette fan really, but I lust for a C6 Z06 and c6's in general. They just keep better and better....the price keeps rising, but still.
I have never been a Vette fan really, but I lust for a C6 Z06 and c6's in general. They just keep better and better....the price keeps rising, but still.
04-29-2011, 06:52 PM
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Re: More 2012 Corvette stuff and new tires...
04-29-2011, 07:22 PM
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Re: More 2012 Corvette stuff and new tires...
I like those seats....
Man, this sucks. They keep upgrading this car! I was about a split decision away from purchasing a sti, and decided to just get a vette instead. I was bent on getting a 06/07 Z06, but then the grand sport came out... which is appealing because the roof comes off. It's however too new/expensive for me at the moment. Now for 2012 they give the car some upgrades which I like an man, really can't afford one! A 2012 Grand Sport would be pretty perfect.
Waiting for a 2012 to drop to my price point would push my purchase plan out a few years as I need the car to drop under $40,000. Oh well... Guess I'll wait till the end of 2012 and see how those older Z06's are looking price wise...
Getting a Vette is a pre-requisite to me ever getting married!
04-29-2011, 07:54 PM
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