No model in Chevrolet’s lineup is more famous than the Corvette. It stands as the brand’s performance flagship since its launch in 1953, despite some very potent Camaros produced over the years.
For 2012, the C6-generation Corvette soldiers on with another round of improvements. The seats have been redesigned with improved driver lateral support, there’s a new steering wheel, an optional Bose nine-speaker sound system, new colours and – included on our test car – a Chevrolet Centennial Edition package celebrating the 100th anniversary of the brand.
The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Cabriolet may not be the most sophisticated, the most equipped or the most powerful car your $100K can buy, but its raw power and brutal behaviour are welcome to those who like a supercar that doesn’t drive itself using a bunch of CPUs.
Earth-shaking exhaust sounds
A dual-mode performance exhaust costs $1,555; we say take it. When you do, the 6.2L LS3 V8 belts out 436 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, connected to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Hooray for GM: premium fuel is not required.
The optional exhaust makes the Corvette behave audibly at low speeds; you know, for cruising around town while the cops watch you pass by with squinty eyes. Hammer the throttle, and the LS3 unleashes an aural fury that no one would find repulsive. Zero to 100 km/h dashes take just over four seconds.
Compared to the run-of-the-mill Corvette, the Grand Sport models get the Z06’s dry-sump engine lubrication, suspension, bigger brakes with cross-drilled discs, six-piston callipers up front and four-piston pinchers at the rear as well as wider wheels and fenders. Our tester also includes the Magnetic Ride shocks, available on every Corvette. This car can handle and stop on a dime, but amazingly isn’t a bruiser around town.
Don’t go looking for any modern-day gizmos like blind-spot monitors, lane-change warning systems and collision warning systems ’cause the Corvette ain’t got ’em. Good drivers don’t need all this junk, right?
Cheapo interior
Despite the constant improvements, we’ll probably have to wait until the C7 Corvette to witness a more upscale cabin. The simplistic atmosphere isn’t the problem, but the quality of the material used is.
Sure, the optional custom stitching on the dash and door panels helps, and the anniversary package adds red contrast stitching here and there, but cheap plastics are hard to conceal. The audio and navigation system faceplate looks like it was designed in 1985, and despite its suede covering, the new steering wheel still looks like it was stolen out of a Chevy Cobalt.
On the other hand, the seats are wonderfully supportive and comfortable, the seating position is excellent and the shifter/clutch combo works extremely well. The more critical aspects of a performance car are well taken care of.
In addition, you get a very usable 295-litre trunk for those weekend getaways accompanied by a deserving passenger.
Grand Sport model not quite a bargain
Our test car looks absolutely stunning with its cloak of Carbon Flash Metallic black paint, only available by choosing the Chevrolet Centennial Edition Package. The latter also adds badging and graphics featuring founder Louis Chevrolet, a body-colour spoiler borrowed from the mighty ZR1, red brake callipers and gorgeous black alloy wheels.
This specific Corvette GS costs just under $100,000. For a few thousand more, you could get yourself a 400-hp BMW 650i Cabriolet or a new-generation 350-hp Porsche 911 Cabriolet. These two cars are technologically superior to the ’Vette, although not necessarily more fun to drive.
For 2012, the C6-generation Corvette soldiers on with another round of improvements. The seats have been redesigned with improved driver lateral support, there’s a new steering wheel, an optional Bose nine-speaker sound system, new colours and – included on our test car – a Chevrolet Centennial Edition package celebrating the 100th anniversary of the brand.
The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Cabriolet may not be the most sophisticated, the most equipped or the most powerful car your $100K can buy, but its raw power and brutal behaviour are welcome to those who like a supercar that doesn’t drive itself using a bunch of CPUs.
Earth-shaking exhaust sounds
A dual-mode performance exhaust costs $1,555; we say take it. When you do, the 6.2L LS3 V8 belts out 436 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, connected to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Hooray for GM: premium fuel is not required.
The optional exhaust makes the Corvette behave audibly at low speeds; you know, for cruising around town while the cops watch you pass by with squinty eyes. Hammer the throttle, and the LS3 unleashes an aural fury that no one would find repulsive. Zero to 100 km/h dashes take just over four seconds.
Compared to the run-of-the-mill Corvette, the Grand Sport models get the Z06’s dry-sump engine lubrication, suspension, bigger brakes with cross-drilled discs, six-piston callipers up front and four-piston pinchers at the rear as well as wider wheels and fenders. Our tester also includes the Magnetic Ride shocks, available on every Corvette. This car can handle and stop on a dime, but amazingly isn’t a bruiser around town.
Don’t go looking for any modern-day gizmos like blind-spot monitors, lane-change warning systems and collision warning systems ’cause the Corvette ain’t got ’em. Good drivers don’t need all this junk, right?
Cheapo interior
Despite the constant improvements, we’ll probably have to wait until the C7 Corvette to witness a more upscale cabin. The simplistic atmosphere isn’t the problem, but the quality of the material used is.
Sure, the optional custom stitching on the dash and door panels helps, and the anniversary package adds red contrast stitching here and there, but cheap plastics are hard to conceal. The audio and navigation system faceplate looks like it was designed in 1985, and despite its suede covering, the new steering wheel still looks like it was stolen out of a Chevy Cobalt.
On the other hand, the seats are wonderfully supportive and comfortable, the seating position is excellent and the shifter/clutch combo works extremely well. The more critical aspects of a performance car are well taken care of.
In addition, you get a very usable 295-litre trunk for those weekend getaways accompanied by a deserving passenger.
Grand Sport model not quite a bargain
Our test car looks absolutely stunning with its cloak of Carbon Flash Metallic black paint, only available by choosing the Chevrolet Centennial Edition Package. The latter also adds badging and graphics featuring founder Louis Chevrolet, a body-colour spoiler borrowed from the mighty ZR1, red brake callipers and gorgeous black alloy wheels.
This specific Corvette GS costs just under $100,000. For a few thousand more, you could get yourself a 400-hp BMW 650i Cabriolet or a new-generation 350-hp Porsche 911 Cabriolet. These two cars are technologically superior to the ’Vette, although not necessarily more fun to drive.
The question is, do you really need the Grand Sport edition? For cruising around town and blasting around the countryside, a base Corvette Cabriolet is fine, and will cost you about $72,000. Keep in mind, though, that you get a manual folding top.
If you like high-end sports cars that emphasize driver involvement, the Corvette is an excellent choice. No, it’s not perfect, but it isn’t pretending to be perfect either. And GM is smartly improving the car year after year, making its iconic flagship ever more desirable.
If you like high-end sports cars that emphasize driver involvement, the Corvette is an excellent choice. No, it’s not perfect, but it isn’t pretending to be perfect either. And GM is smartly improving the car year after year, making its iconic flagship ever more desirable.
2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport 1SD
2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport 1SD
Article Gallery