2011 Corvette – Vette-net

The Chevrolet Corvette, America’s sports car, celebrated its 58^th year in 2011 by again enticing consumers with a broad lineup of returning models, and introducing a new special edition Z06 for the discerning Corvette collector – the base Corvette coupe and convertible, the Corvette Grand Sport coupe and convertible, the Corvette Z06 coupe, including the introduction of the all-new Carbon Edition Z06 coupe, and the crowned jewel of the entire paddock, the return of the ultra-powerful Corvette ZR1. While Corvette had offered a limited number of model choices just a few years before, Corvette now offered a model to meet every consumer’s needs – from the casual cruiser to the weekend track warrior, and beyond.

Type: 2 Door Coupe/Convertible, Grand Sport Coupe/Convertible, Z06 Coupe, Z06 Carbon Ed. Coupe, ZR1 Coupe

Pricing: $49,900 (Coupe), $54,550.00 (Convertible), $55,740.00 (Grand Sport Coupe), $59,950 (Grand Sport Convertible), $75,255 (Z06 Corvette), $90,960.00 (Z06 Carbon Fiber Edition), $110,750.00 (ZR1 Corvette)

Engine options: 376 C.I. (6.2L) LS3 Engine (Coupe & Convertible, Grand Sport Coupe & Convertible), 427 C.I. (7.0L) LS7 Engine (Z06 & Z06 Carbon Edition), 376 C.I. (6.2L) LS9 Engine (ZR1 Coupe)

Transmission: 6 Speed Manual Transmission, 6 Speed Paddle Shift Automatic Transmission

Top speed: 196mph (Z06)

Units Produced: 13,596

Available Colors: Arctic White, Blade Silver, Inferno Orange, Black, Velocity Yellow, Cyber Gray, Torch Red, Jetstream Blue, Crystal Red, Supersonic Blue

Highlights of the year:

The Grand Sport Coupe ($54,790) and Convertible ($58,600) were equipped the same as the base models but with wider-body styling to cover their wider track, racing-tuned suspension, and Z06-sized tires and brakes.

To commemorate both the milestone anniversary of the company as well as the incredible evolution of the small-block V-8 engine, Chevrolet offered a new option to Corvette owners for the 2011 model year. Designated by Regular Production Option (RPO) PBC, future Corvette owners could now purchase the Engine Plant Build Experience when purchasing either a Z06 or a ZR1 Corvette.

Refinements to the Corvette base model coupe and convertible were very limited for 2011. Both the coupe, convertible and Grand Sport models came equipped with the 430 horsepower LS3 engine, and came standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, AM/FM/XM stereo with CD, a three-month trial subscription to XM radio, an MP3 jack, OnStar, leather seats, a power driver’s seat, active handling, traction control, tire pressure monitors, and driver, passenger and side airbags.

For 2011, the Corvette Grand Sport received the same refinements as the coupe and convertible with one notable addition – the Corvette Grand Sport could be equipped with Magnetic Ride Control as an option. When equipped with both Magnetic Ride Control and a manual transmission, the car also came equipped with four Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires. The optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension featured magneto-rheological dampers that can detect road surfaces, and adjust the damping rates to those surfaces almost instantly for optimal ride control. It included larger, cross-drilled brake rotors

Corvette Z06 ($74,305) came with a 7.0-liter V8 producing 505 horsepower, with dry-sump lubrication and coolers for the power steering pump, gearbox, and rear differential. Beyond the engine, the Z06 package included a host of high-performance components. The Z06 hardtop was fixed in place. Its brakes were upgraded, its tires are huge (Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar P275/35ZR18 fronts and P325/30ZR19 rears), and it was offered only with the 6-speed manual transmission.

Options included the Z07 Ultimate Performance package ($9,495) with ceramic brakes with dark gray calipers, Competition Gray aluminum spider wheels, Michelin PS2 tires (P285/30ZR19 front, P335/25ZR20 rear), Magnetic Selective Ride Control and enhanced cooling. The CFZ Carbon Fiber package ($3,995) features a black-painted carbon-fiber roof, rocker panels, and splitter, plus a body-color ZR1-style spoiler. The 2LZ package ($2,665) included a power telescoping steering column, heated seats, memory for the seats, mirrors and steering wheel, Bose audio, universal garage door opener, cargo net, and cargo cover. The 3LZ package ($7,170) had the 2LZ equipment plus power sport seats and a premium leather package similar to the 4LT. There was also a variety of wheel choices, including painted aluminum and chrome finishes.

Corvette ZR1 ($109,800) had a supercharged 6.2-liter version of the Z06 V8, utilizing an Eaton four-lobe supercharger. To deal with the additional stresses and loads, every appropriate piece of the engine was upgraded. The ZR1 was available only as a coupe, and only with a heavy-duty 6-speed manual transmission. The ZR1 came with huge Brembo brakes, 15.5 inches in front and 15.0 inches in the rear, and made of special heat-resistant carbon-ceramic material. The tires were Michelin Pilot Sport 2 ZP run-flats, sized 285/30ZR19 in front and 335/25ZR20 in the rear; the rims are 10 inches wide in front and 12 inches in the rear. The ZR1 also had the lighter-weight aluminum chassis components of the Z06, and carbon fiber for the roof, hood and front fenders. In addition, the ZR1 hood came with a transparent panel.

While sales of the C6 Corvette had seen a steady decline in the total number of units since 2008, the 2011 model year saw sales numbers begin to rise once more, though only slightly. A total of 13,848 Corvettes were sold in 2011, and of those, the Z06 accounted for 1,156 units (coupe and convertible) while the ZR1 totaled 806 units. While these numbers were still significantly lower than the first couple of years of the C6, where sales averaged between 38-40 thousand units, Corvette continued to forge ahead with the manufacturing of their iconic sports car, though with a growing certainty that the decline in C6 sales tied directly to the still-recovering economy and, more concernedly, the age of the C6 itself.

Unbeknownst to most, a seventh-generation Corvette was already in the works. While working in conjunction with data created by, and collected from, the C6.R Corvette Race Car each race day, the engineers behind the next generation Corvette were looking to the race track in an effort to better design (and eventually manufacture) the most capable, track-ready Corvette ever created.

Photos of the 2011 Corvette: