CHANGES FOR 2013: - New 427 Convertible Collector Edition with LS7 7.0L engine available. - 60th Anniversary Design Package (Base, GS, Z06, ZR1) - Available black-painted five-spoke aluminum wheels (Base, GS) - Available black-painted spider-design aluminum wheels (Z06) - Available black-painted aluminum wheels (Z71) - ZR1-style rear spoiler is available (Base, GS, Z06) - Exterior colours: return of Black and new Night Race Blue Metallic (Base, GS, Z06, Z71) Due for replacement with an all-new model, America’s seminal sports car marks its 60th anniversary and continues to offer outstanding performance and great value. The 6.2L 430-hp V8 gives the Vette supercar mojo right out of the box. The Grand Sport with its extra cooling, bigger brakes and stiffer suspension bridges the gap between the base Corvette and the track-focused Z06. The king-of-the-hill supercharged 638-hp ZR1 with its standard magnetic ride is actually more civilized than the Z06, but all Vettes suffer from cheapish interiors and sub-par seats. Joining the base and Grand Sport drop-top Vettes is the 2013 427 Convertible Collector Edition featuring the Z06’s monstrous 505-hp 7.0L V8 engine. More than just an engine transplant, the 427 gets a combination of Z06 and ZR1 chassis/suspension components that make this car really handle. And the soundtrack is beyond description. Soft-top Vettes show good structural integrity with minimal cowl shake. The fabric top has a manual release at the windshield header, after which it powers automatically under the sculpted tonneau cover. Unlike many modern convertibles, the roof won’t operate while on the move, but trunk space is a generous 311 L. The Corvette is available with the LS3 6.2-litre V8 in the coupe and convertible, as well as the Grand Sport coupe and convertible; the LS7 7.0-litre V8 in the Z06 and 427 Convertible; and supercharged LS9 6.2-litre V8 in the ZR1. The 6.2-litre uses a six-speed manual that can be optioned to a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, while the 7.0-litre and supercharged 6.2-litre are six-speed manual only. Features on the base coupe include LS3 6.2-litre V8, six-speed manual transmission, 18-inch front/19-inch rear five-spoke alloy wheels, OnStar and included services, fully automatic HID headlights, remote keyless entry, four-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS, airbags (front and front seat), Active Handling System, Driver Information Centre, speed sensitive steering, limited slip differential, 3.42 rear axle ratio, composite body materials, fog lights, rear liftgate hatch, dual power mirrors, auto-dimming driver side mirror, removable manual targa top, front lip spoiler, dual-zone automatic climate control, compass, cruise control, metal-look console insert, leather/metal-look shift knob, power windows with express down, power locks, push button start, analog instruments, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt leather steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, leather sport 6-way power seats, seven-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio, satellite radio, steering wheel audio controls, amplifier, and equalizer; convertible adds manual cloth top and traditional trunk. Grand Sport adds premium shocks, rear-mounted battery, upgraded braking system, differential cooling (manual coupe only), dry sump oil system (manual coupe only), upgraded manual transmission, heavy-duty cooling system, stiffer springs and stabilizer bars, upgraded tires, and wider wheels. 427 Convertible Collector Edition adds (to Grand Sport Convertible) LS7 7.0L V8 engine, composite and carbon fibre body panels, ZR1-style rear spoiler, Magnetic Ride Control suspension, 19-inch front/20-inch rear Machined Cup wheels with grey pockets, contrasting-colour headlight housings, Michelin PS2 tires, and other pieces from both the Z06 and Z71. The Z06 adds (to Grand Sport) LS7 7.0L V8 engine, engine oil cooler, performance exhaust, power steering cooler, transmission oil cooler, carbon fibre body panels, upgraded tires, heads-up display, and unique seats. The ZR1 adds supercharged LS9 6.2L V8 engine, Brembo carbon ceramic cross-drilled brakes, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Performance Traction Management system, carbon fibre hood, upgraded tires, 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels, Universal Home Remote, and custom leather-wrapped interior package.
