Coverking Satin Stretch Car Cover for the Corvette
Whether you live in Boston or Miami, San Diego or Calgary, when it comes to keeping your Corvette clean, a Corvette Car Cover goes a long way. There are few things more frustrating than washing your car, waxing it, giving it a good chamois job, rolling around for the day, then parking it in the garage only to come out the next morning and find that sometime that afternoon your neighbor's cat decided that your car would make an excellent dance floor. While feline companions make kind of cool house guests, they more often than not, are less welcome on the top of your $XX,000 Corvette.
While most of us prefer to store the beast (the one with wheels, not paws) inside, the garage door might be open from time to time while you're mowing the lawn, or taking in the groceries, or a myriad of other times. Basically the point I'm trying to get across is the fact that whether you know it or not- light, dust, cat hair etc are all contributing to wearing down the finish on your car. The only way to keep that showroom shine on your 'vette, is to keep it covered when it's not in use. Think of it this way- when you were little, Mom kept the "nice dishes" (you know - the ones you weren't allowed to use for hot dogs, cartoon macaroni, and grape drink) for guests in a special cabinet, out of reach from your grubby little fingers, much the same way that your Corvette should be treated.
What the crew at Coverking has done, is make a car cover out of the softest fleece available inside the cover that not only protects your paint and clear coat, but is specifically designed NOT to rub off onto convertible tops. They also implement their own "Fewest Seams" design that limits the amount of seams that the cover has overall-while maintaining their unique contour following car cover style. The material implemented in the construction of the outer shell of the cover is Lycra, the same material used in form fitting lingerie, bathing suits, and other applications where stretching is needed in both directions from the material. Most of the time the covers are limited to only three seams on the entire cover, all the while using the blind stitch on all seams to hide any thread used to bind the panels together.
All in all, the Coverking Satin Stretch car cover is just what the doctor ordered for keeping the beast clean in the garage, all the while protecting it from all the nicks and kitty paws that find their way to our cars like magnets.
Keep it clean,
-CN
Airaid Corvette Intake for C6
In the world of automotive intakes, everyone has an opinion on what brand, what style, what you should spend, and how much power you should be able to extract out of each motor by bolting on an intake. I have always been of the philosophy that word of mouth is the best advertising, yet at the end of that philosophy there is always a very large asterisk. Word of mouth is a great tool, but most of the time the source seems to be hearsay and therefore the following advertisement is more often than not greatly exaggerated. After hearing rumblings of great things about the Airaid intake system from numerous sources, I scouted out some real facts for myself.
As with most intakes for most stock motors, the stock intake for the 2006 up C6 Corvette is unnecessarily restrictive for my purposes. Granted the millions of dollars that Chevy put 
into coming up with this motor, they also had to meet stringent emissions requirements laid down by our fellow Men in Blue. So, when you take a look at the stock intake and realize that it has served its purpose, and you are ready for a little bit of extra oomph, take a peek at the Corvette C6 Airaid intake system. Here they are side by side 
below:
The obvious differences in immediate appearances are the enormous oval filter element and the large, angled, and broad plenum immediately following the filter element are greatly improved over the shorter, straighter stock piece. The open filter element will provide for an increased airflow as well as a nice hint of a gnarly growl for the ears of passersby. Also of note, the two winged-looking pieces on the outside of the plenum are actually the opposite of anything winged. They actually serve to block the enormous filter element off from sucking in any hot air from the engine compartment on the other side of the radiator support. This way the hood and forward space create a pocket of incoming air to be ingested by the motor that stays as close to ambient air temperatures (AAT) as possible. Below you will find the dyno readings provided by Airaid on their website:
In all fairness however, most intakes will net you close to the same gain in power and torque in most possible scenarios. Whether one intake will grab an extra couple horses is always open for debate, and probably will be until the end of time, but the Airaid system excels in one particular category: price. This intake seems to be well below those that gain similar power for our beloved Corvettes. However this intake doesn't skimp on quality or the horsepower gains. It simply seems that the guys over at Airaid forgot the "Corvette Tax" that we've grown so accustomed to. And this secret is quickly getting out among the Vette community. Over here, we're all about bang for our buck — otherwise, why own a Corvette in the first place? Being that all the available intakes for the Vette will net you 7-15 HP to the wheels, all things being equal the major discriminating factor between the Airaid system and all its competitors is price. With the Airaid clocking in at generally $80-$200 cheaper than the competition, it just seems silly to go any other route.
Keep it under the limit,
-CN
Corvette C6 Carbon Fiber Rear Diffuser
APR started producing a new line of rear diffusers for the C6/ C6 Z06 Corvettes at the beginning of this year. As some of you may know, the material carbon fiber is not only stronger than steel, but exponentially lighter as well (far lighter than even aluminum). As the technology becomes more readily available, the cost benefit to the average consumer goes increasingly up. 10 years ago, carbon fiber was limited to the extremely wealthy, the factory funded teams with astronomical budgets, and, well…NASA.
Today, however, APR has engineered a brilliantly crafted Corvette C6 Carbon Fiber rear diffuser for the 2005-up Corvette. A rear diffuser acts in much of the same way that a spoiler does, in that it reduces drag, and produces down force by way of reducing lift. If you imagine placing your palm perpendicular against a body of water and moving it through the surface of the water partly submerged with some force, there will be an area of depression and turbulence behind your hand. It will create a wake of low pressure, and disturbed water. This same effect occurs behind the body of your car at speed only with high and low pressure areas of air. The way a diffuser works is to help smooth the "wake" of your car, and make it easier for the car to pass through the air it is displacing as it travels forward. Think of it as an underbody wing for your car.
And, on top of its incredible functionality, it is incredibly good looking. APR has a knack for whetting our appetites over here at Corvette News with great looking pieces with anything from canards and mirrors, to fenders and front splitters. The benefits on and off the track of a diffuser are numerous, ranging from increased gas mileage (even if it is ever so slight, it's a great point to bring up to the wife/girlfriend if the occasion presents itself…), to faster lap times, and higher trap speeds.
I spoke to David and Matt over at Southern Car Parts and they informed me that they started stocking this little guy as soon as the New Year began which was music to my ears. For budget minded, they also offer the rear Corvette C6 Rear Diffuser in FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic).
Until next time…
-CN
2011 Corvette Carbon Z06 Edition MSRP Released
Its official, looks like pricing on the highly anticipated 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition has leaked out. If you remember, the Z06 Corvette Carbon Edition has been in the media since last March and MSRP pricing has remained a mystery. The Z06 Carbon Edition features the Brembo Dark Grey Metallic Calipers, carbon ceramic rotors, and black spoke 20" front, 19" rear wheels. The Z06 Carbon edition also includes magnetic ride control and enhanced cooling features. Exterior enhancements include choice of color, Inferno Orange or Supersonic Blue, as well as Black headlamps and mirrors, a ZR1-style body color spoiler, body color door handles, carbon fiber raised hood, and black carbon fiber rockers and splitter. Inside the new Corvette Carbon Z06 there is ebony and suede interior with blue or orange stitching, very nice!
Production is supposed to begin in January of 2011….Pricing is going to start at $90,960 MSRP, fully loaded you can expect to be set back $99,925
2011 CORVETTE LINEUP – MORE CAPABLE AND DIVERSE THAN EVER
DETROIT – 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.
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 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.
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.
Z06 details
With its racing-inspired powertrain and suspension features, along with an aluminum frame and carbon fiber fenders and floor panels, the Corvette Z06 delivers exceptional levels of capability and technology. And with a curb weight of only 3,175 pounds (1440 kg), it's the lightest, best-balanced Corvette model and one of the most svelte super cars on the market.
Indeed, racing is in the Corvette Z06's DNA and many owners' cars see double duty as daily drivers and weekend road course warriors. It's what the car was designed for and, compared to other sports cars that cost up to double – or more – the Z06 offers competitive levels of performance at a lower price.
Chevrolet brings significant updates to the Z06 for 2011, with special packages and new options that enhance performance and styling, while also offering greater personalization choices. They include:
• New standard Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires and exhaust system tuning
• New Z07 Performance Package
• New CFZ Carbon Fiber Package
• Z06 Carbon Limited Edition model
• Two new exterior colors: Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue, bringing the total to 10 exterior color choices for all models
• Available contrasting-color headlamps, in Cyber Gray, Black or Blade Silver
• New interior custom color stitching option, in red, blue or yellow
• USB port and input jack included with the navigation radio.
The Z07 Performance Package brings greater handling and braking capability to the Z06, with:
• Brembo ceramic brakes, with gray metallic calipers, similar to those offered on the Corvette ZR1
• Magnetic Ride Control
• Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires
• Twenty-spoke wheels in competition gray (19 x 10-inch front, 20 x 12-inch rear).
The CFZ Carbon Fiber Package gives the Z06 lightweight aero enhancements similar to those found on the ZR1. Included in the optional package is a black-painted carbon fiber front splitter, rockers, roof panel and a body-color full-width rear spoiler.
The Z06 Carbon limited-edition model blends the performance features of the Z07 package and the styling cues of the Carbon Fiber package. In addition to the features included with both new packages, this sinister-looking Z06 also includes:
• A raised carbon fiber hood
• Black wheels, outside mirrors and headlamp housings
• A special engine cover
• A leather and suede interior with body-color stitching
• Special graphics commemorating 50 years of Le Mans racing (installation left to the customer's discretion)
• Special vehicle identification number sequence.
The Z06 Carbon is designed to be the best Corvette for track events, with the chassis and aerodynamic features of the ZR1 complemented by the lower curb weight and balance of the naturally aspirated Z06. Chevrolet will build no more than 500 examples of the Z06 Carbon; it is available in Supersonic Blue or Inferno Orange.
ZR1 details
With its performance and cultural credentials intact, the Corvette ZR1 enters its third year of production with minor changes aimed at broadening the personalization options for customers. That includes a pair of new exterior colors – Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue – which brings the exterior color roster to 10; available contrasting-color headlamps, offered in Cyber Gray, Black and Blade Silver; and a new interior custom color stitching option.
It's beneath the skin, of course, where the ZR1 earns its street cred. Highlights include:
• LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 rated at 638 horsepower (476 kW), and 604 lb.-ft. of torque (819 Nm)
• Six-speed, close-ratio, race-proven manual transmission
• High-capacity dual-disc clutch
• Higher-capacity and specific-diameter axle half-shafts; enhanced torque tube
• Specific suspension tuning provides more than 1g cornering grip
• Twenty-spoke, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels
• Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires – P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear – developed specifically for the ZR1
• Standard Brembo carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors – 15.5-inch-diameter (394-mm) in the front and 15-inch-diameter (380-mm) in the rear
• Blue-painted brake calipers
• Standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension
• Launch Control system with Performance Traction Management technology
• Wider, carbon-fiber front fenders with ZR1-specific dual ports
• Carbon-fiber hood with a raised, polycarbonate window – offering a view of the intercooler below it
• Carbon-fiber roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with clear-coated, visible carbon-fiber weave
• ZR1-specific full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections
• Specific gauge cluster with boost gauge (also displayed on the head-up display) and 220-mph (370 km/h) speedometer readout
• Curb weight of 3,333 pounds (1,512 kg).
The specialized components of the new ZR1 work harmoniously to deliver the most powerful and fastest automobile ever produced by General Motors. It has a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).
About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., the Chevrolet portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly" solutions, such as the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco model that is expected to deliver up to an estimated 40 mpg highway, and 2011 Chevrolet Volt that will offer 25-50 miles of electric driving and an additional 310 miles of extended range with the onboard generator (based on GM testing). Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security, and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response, and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
2011 Corvette Grand Sport Overview
The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport returns after a very successful reintroduction as a 2010 model year vehicle. The Corvette Grand Sport was originally criticized as it was 'just a replacement for the Z51 handling package' but when the 2010 Grand Sport hit the market; it did so with rave reviews.
The 2011 Corvette Grand Sport offers Z06-like handling qualities and styling without the higher horsepower and high price tag of the 2011 Corvette Z06. The 2011 Grand Sport is powered by the same 430 horsepower LS3 as the standard 2011 Corvette but unlike the high performance Z06 and ZR1, the 2011 Grand Sport is available as a convertible so you can have your world class handling in a drop top Vette. Also, the Grand Sport offers an optional paddle-shifted automatic transmission in addition to the standard 6-speed manual transmission (Z06 and ZR1 are manual only).
The exterior of the 2011 Grand Sport features wider front fenders wide integrated Grand Sport badges with wider rear quarter panels as well. This wider body allows for a more aggressive stance and allows more room for the Grand Sport's massive high performance tires. For 2011, the Grand Sport (and all other 2011 Corvette models) is available in two additional colors - Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue – and there is a new option of selecting headlight housing painted in contrasting colors (Cyber Gray, Black or Blade Silver) to the exterior color. Finally, the 2011 Grand Sport wears the same front end splitter and rear spoiler that is found on the Z06.
The 2011 Corvette Grand Sport offers an automatic transmission and convertible option that is not available in the Z06 but the Grand Sport shares a massive brake system the pricier Z06, featuring 14-inch front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch rear rotors with four-piston calipers. The Grand Sport also has functional ductwork to keep this high end braking system cool. Next, the 2011 Grand Sport has a race-tuned suspension very similar to the setup found in the Corvette Z06 with tuned shocks, springs and stabilizer bars to make this Corvette very capable on the track with skid pad adhesion over 1g. New for 2011, Grand Sport buyers can select the Magnetic Ride Control System from the Corvette ZR1 supercar – giving this low priced Corvette Grand Sport a suspension system that is nearly unparalleled around the world.
The goal for the 2011 Chevrolet Grand Sport is to offer handling capabilities that allows a buyer to take the car to the track on the weekends but the LS3 V8 offers improved fuel economy to make the 2011 Grand Sport a friendlier daily driver. Also, the use of the standard Corvette engine allows new Grand Sport buyers the handling capabilities of the Z06 and ZR1 in either a coupe or convertible with a price starting around $55,000 (coupe) to $59,000 (convertible). This is around a $5,000 markup from the base Corvette but falls well short of the $75,000 price tag of the Z06.