2011 CORVETTE AND CORVETTE GRAND SPORT: MORE PERSONALIZATION CHOICES ENHANCE THE CORVETTE EXPERIENCE

Chevrolet Corvette, America’s sports car, enters its 58th year with a broad lineup and more personalization choices than ever. The lineup includes Corvette coupe and convertible; Corvette Grand Sport coupe and convertible; Corvette Z06 and Corvette ZR1.

Corvette and Grand Sport models are powered by the 430-horsepower (321 kW) LS3 V-8, while the racing-inspired Corvette Z06 is equipped with the 505-horsepower (377 kW) LS7 engine and built on a lightweight chassis. The Corvette ZR1 is powered by a unique, supercharged LS9 6.2L engine, and is the fastest, most powerful car ever offered by Chevrolet. (Please see the separate releases for complete details on the Corvette Z06 and Corvette ZR1 models.)

The Corvette Grand Sport was a knockout hit in its debut last year, accounting for approximately half of all coupe sales and 70 percent of convertibles. Customers were drawn to its blend of the Corvette’s capable chassis and powertrain, with enhanced handling attributes. It also featured wider fenders, specific front fenders, unique wheels and other exclusive cues.  

Corvette Grand Sport returns for 2011 with Magnetic Ride Control as an option – with new Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires included when the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission and Magnetic Ride Control.

New features offered on all 2011 Corvette and Grand Sport models include:

• Two new exterior colors: Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue, bringing the total to 10 exterior color choices for all models
• Available contrasting-color headlamp housings, in Cyber Gray, Black or Blade Silver
• New interior custom color stitching options: blue, red or yellow
• USB port and input jack included with the navigation radio
• Larger cross-drilled brake rotors available on Corvette coupe and convertible (even larger cross-drilled rotors, with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers, are standard on Grand Sport).

Corvette performance

The 6.2L LS3 small-block V-8 is the engine in Corvette and Grand Sport models. It is rated at 430 horsepower (321 kW)* and 424 lb.-ft. of torque (575 Nm)* with the standard exhaust system. An optional dual-mode exhaust system brings a power rating increase to 436 horses (325 kW) and 428 lb.-ft. (580 Nm). A standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional six-speed automatic paddle-shift automatic are offered.

Launch control is standard on manual-transmission-equipped models, and optimizes performance for full-throttle starts on a track. In competitive mode, the system will hold a predetermined engine speed while the driver pushes the throttle to the floor. That allows the driver to quickly release the clutch and the system modulates engine torque 100 times per second to maximize the available traction. The system is capable of approaching a skilled driver’s best effort and repeats it consistently.

Corvette and Grand Sport models have a hydroformed steel rail backbone structure, which features cored composite floors, an enclosed center tunnel, rear-mounted transmission and aluminum cockpit structure. Suspension cradles, control arms, knuckles, springs, dampers, bushings, stabilizer bars and steering gear deliver low mass, direct response and great driver feedback.

Coupe and convertible models offer two suspension choices that allow drivers to choose the setup that best suits their driving style. The standard suspension is tuned for a balance of ride comfort and precise handling. The optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension features magneto-rheological dampers able to detect road surfaces, and adjust the damping rates to those surfaces almost instantly for optimal ride control. It includes larger, cross-drilled brake rotors.

Corvette interior and features

Corvette’s interior is inspired by the car’s dual-cockpit heritage. High-quality materials, craftsmanship and functionality help deliver premium quality meant to enhance performance driving. The instrument panel and doors are covered with cast-skin foam-in-place trim with the look of a leather panel. It is warm and inviting and has double the life of conventional trim materials.

An AM/FM/XM radio with CD player and audio input jack is standard. An optional Bose audio system or an in-dash six-disc changer is available. Steering-wheel mounted audio controls are on all models. XM Satellite Radio with a one-year subscription is included with the Bose audio system.

A full-function OnStar system with Turn-by-Turn Navigation capability is standard, and an onboard navigation system with voice recognition is available. It is a DVD-based system that uses a 6.5-inch (165 mm) color touch-screen display.

Corvette also features keyless access. When the owner touches the door’s touch pad, the key fob’s signal unlocks the door. The system’s emergency key and other remote-function controls are integrated in a single unit.

A custom leather-wrapped interior package is offered on all models. It offers a stylish, two-tone leather-appointed cabin with details that enhance the feeling of Corvette’s craftsmanship. Details include:

• Leather-wrapped upper and lower instrument panel, door pads and seats
• Choice of exclusive colors: Dark Titanium, Ebony, Cashmere or Sienna, with unique color breakup
• Padded door panel armrests
• “Corvette” embroidered on passenger-side dash pad
• Embroidered crossed flags logo on headrests
• Unique center trim plate with a gunmetal pattern.

Corvette Grand Sport details

The Grand Sport combines the Corvette’s LS3-based powertrain with wide-body styling, a wider track and a racing-bred suspension for a distinctive model that delivers a greater degree of handling performance, with wider wheels and tires; revised shock, stabilizer bar and spring specifications; and specific gearing.

Zero-60 performance of four seconds, skid pad adhesion of 1 g and an EPA-estimated 26 mpg on the highway make for a rare combination of performance, handling and efficiency.

Grand Sport coupe models equipped with the manual transmission are uniquely outfitted for track events, too, with a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery. Magnetic Ride Control is available and with manual-transmission models, includes Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires.

The complete list of content and special features for the Grand Sport includes:

• Wider front and rear fenders – including specific front fenders with integrated Grand Sport badges
• Z06-style front splitter and tall rear spoiler
• Functional brake ducts and extra cooling
• Eighteen-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels; painted finish standard and chrome finish optional
• Large 275/35ZR18 tires in front and 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear
• Z06-size brakes, including 14-inch (355 mm) front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340 mm) rear rotors with four-piston calipers
• Specific manual transmission gear ratios
• Specific rear axle ratio on automatic-equipped models.

With its special equipment, the Grand Sport offers a unique blend of performance and amenities. Its suspension package approaches that of the Z06, but includes a removable roof on coupes (Z06 has a fixed roof) and, of course, the availability of a convertible body style. Also, the paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission is offered, while a manual transmission is the only choice with the Z06.

All of Corvette’s exterior colors are offered on the Grand Sport, and an available Heritage package adds iconic front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. The Grand Sport can be ordered with 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim packages, too.