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| Wednesday July 2, 2008 | | GM Unveils Corvette S-Limited for Japan |  Discussion
| OK, so maybe you won't see this Corvette in the Atlantic City Showroom of Kerbeck Corvette, but it's still very cool!!! 
In celebration of GM's 100th Anniversary, GM Asia-Pacific has unveiled the Corvette S-Limited, a 30-car special for the Japanese market. priced at ¥7,980,000. The allotment is split evenly by color -- 15 in Arctic White and 15 in Black.
All the cars get the full leather-wrapped interior package; a rear spoiler, mesh grillework , and screened inserts for the side coves and the plate between the exhaust outlets. 'Vettes in Japan are probably scarce enough that they still draw plenty of attention.
Hey, in the land where the best-selling car's engine displaces 660 cc's, a thundering, 430-horsepower American pushrod that displaces 6.2 liters is always gonna make people look. Appropriately, the Corvette S-Limited officially goes on sale on the Fourth of July.
You can discuss this story with other Corvette Enthusiasts on the Kerbeck Corvette Message Board!
Dave Salvatore
Corvette Manager
| | Source: General Motors |
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| Tuesday July 1, 2008 | | [VIDEO] 2009 Corvette on the Nürburgring! | Discussion
| As mentioned in an early post of the Kerbeck Corvette blog, Tadge Juechter blogged about the 2009 Corvette ZR1's time of 7:26.4 on the Nürburgring. He also mentioned, a video of the run is forthcoming. In the meantime, this video was just posted by the guys at BridgetoGantry.com. Because Tadge doesn't mention whether or not the ZR1 had the track to themselves, and the video shows another car on the track, we're unsure if this clip is actually from the 7:26.4 runor not, but it's fun none the less! Dave Salvatore
Corvette Manager
| | Source: BridgeToGantry.com |
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| Monday June 30, 2008 | | Happy National Corvette Day! | Discussion
| Thanks to the hard work of the crew over at Mid America Motorworks (with some help from the Kerbeck Corvette blog story from 06/20/08) and everyone else who signed the petition and made the phone calls, emails and letters, The US House of Representatives has named June 30th will from this point on be known National Corvette Day!
The Chevrolet Corvette, the first sports car of the country, came off the assembly line on June 30, 1953. This Monday, it will be the 55th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvette. It will be in honor of the Chevrolet Corvette.
Here is the actual text from the resolution:
"H. Res. 970
In the House of Representatives, U. S., June 26, 2008. - Whereas the Chevrolet Corvette is America's first sports car;
- Whereas the first production Corvette rolled off a Flint, Michigan, assembly line on June 30, 1953;
- Whereas the Corvette is now manufactured in Bowling Green, Kentucky;
- Whereas the Corvette is the most widely respected production sports car in United States history;
- Whereas the Corvette is truly a symbol of American pride;
- Whereas General Motors is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008; and
- Whereas the 30th of June would be an appropriate day to designate as `National Corvette Day':
Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives supports the designation of a `National Corvette Day' to honor the Chevrolet Corvette."
Like the words from many other important pieces of legistation (Where in the course of Human Events, and We the People, etc) this document brings tears to the eyes of a red-blooded, Corvette-loving Americans everywhere. And while I'm sure the House will be critizied by some for spending time on something like this when there are many other important issues, I say kudos for taking a little bit of time to recognize an icon that in all corners of the world symbolizes the American Spirit! Happy Birthday Corvette! You can discuss this story with other Corvette Enthusiasts on the Kerbeck Corvette Message Board! Dave Salvatore
Corvette Manager | | Source: Kerbeck.com |
CLICK HERE TO DISCUSS THIS STORY WITH OTHER CORVETTE ENTHUSIASTS! |
| Sunday June 29, 2008 | | Michelin Serves up Two New Tires for Corvette | Discussion
| Earlier this week, Michelin invited select media to Laurens Proving Grounds, its testing facility, in Laurens County, S.C., for the launch of its two new tires for the Corvette, the Pilot Sport All-Season Plus and the Pilot Sport PS2 ZP.
The tires were put to the test in exercises in wet braking, wet handling, dry handling and comfort against competitors’ tires.
The Pilot Sport A/S Plus, though not visibly different from the original Pilot Sport, contains technology that allows for improvements in all-weather performance, wet grip and tread-life, according to Michelin.
The tire features three specialized rubber compaounds across the tread, helping to elevate a car's performance in virtually every type of weather, from wet to dry to winter conditions. Directional tread pattern and wet-weather silica compound combine for extreme wet-weather control. The tapered grooves of symmetrical tread design channel water away from the tire's contact patch to provide excellent wet grip in wet conditions, the company said.
The Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires are the first UHP tires to be backed by a 45,000-mile manufacturer's limited warranty, Michelin said.
The Pilot Sport A/S Plus tire goes on sale in the U.S. Sept. 1. It will be available in 59 sizes, 25% more sizes than the previous generation. At launch, the tire will be available in 29 sizes and the remainder will be introduced in March 2009. Complete sizing options will range from 205/55ZR16 up to 265/30ZR22.
Michelin’s other new offering, the Pilot Sport PS2 ZP, is now available for the Corvette C5, C6Z06 as a plus-one fitment and additional sizes for the C6 model in October.
A UHP summer tire, the Pilot Sport PS2 ZP evolves from the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 family of low-profile, Z-rated tires. The tire offers all the impressive performance characteristics of Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, plus run-flat capability. It also delivers comfort levels similar to those of standard Pilot Sport PS2 tires, while delivering improved cornering control, thanks to an advanced sidewall and variable contact patch technology, the tiremaker said.
The tire features a unique, asymmetric tread pattern and a highly-customized tread compound, to delivers wet and dry performance for crisp cornering and high-speed capability. The asymmetric tread design presents large outer shoulder blocks and continuous intermediate and center ribs to enhance steering response and cornering stability. The inner lining tread design features a higher groove to rubber ratio with wide circumferential grooves and lateral notches that help channel water through the footprint to enhance wet road traction, Michelin said.
Available on Aug. 1, replacement tire sizes for the Corvette C5 include: 245/45ZR17 95Y and 275/40ZR18 99Y. Replacement tire sizes (as a plus-one fitment) for the Corvette C6Z06 include: P285/35ZR19 (87Y) and P335/30ZR20 (94Y).
Available in October, replacement tire sizes for the Corvette C6 will include: 245/40ZR18 93Y, 285/35ZR19 99Y.
You can contact the Kerbeck Corvette parts department at 609-345-6463 for availability and pricing.
You can discuss this story with other Corvette Enthusiasts on the Kerbeck Corvette Message Board.
Dave Salvatore
Corvette Manager
| | Source: PR Wire |
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| Saturday June 28, 2008 | | Help Design the Kerbeck Corvette 2009 ZR1 Poster! | Discussion
| The official Corvette ZR1 numbers are in and they're good, very good! EPA-estimated fuel economy of 14 city and 20 highway, 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, 0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds, Quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.3 seconds at 131 mph! The Corvette ZR1 also has a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), making it the fastest Corvette ever produced and ranking it among the global super cars of commensurate performance. This year, Kerbeck will commemorate the new "King of the Hill" with this years poster. Pictured below is a Chevrolet Corvette advertisement from 1957 with two German drivers at a race track leaning against their car and pointing at the new, 1957 Fuel Injected Corvette. The caption reads: "UND SO HELFE MIR. HERMANN, I WAS HOLDING 5900 R.P.M. AND HE CAME PAST ME LIKE A STUKA...AND PLAYING THE RADIO, TOO!"  In our concept, we have two drivers at a race track, leaning against their car pointing to the new, 2009 Corvette ZR1. Our question to you is this...what should our caption read, what is the one driver saying? Send your idea to dave@kerbeck.com with the subject line "Poster Contest". Also, be sure to post it on the Kerbeck Corvette Message Board so that everyone can see it! If we use your entry on our poster, we'll give you a ZR1 hat and one of the first posters off the press! If we use your caption, you'll be required to sign a disclaimer to allow us to use your words. Thanks for your help, it should be fun. Keep it clean, thanks!
 If you would like more information on the new “King of the Hill”, send an email to zr1@kerbeck.com. Please be sure to include your name and phone number in the email and someone will call you with more information. Dave Salvatore
Covette Manager
| | Source: Kerbeck.com |
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| Friday June 27, 2008 | | Corvette ZR1 destroys Nissan GT-R times at the Ring! | Discussion
| Looks like the Nissan GT-R's impressive Nurburgring lap of 7:29, set last April, has been chewed up and spit out by the upcoming 2009 Corvette ZR1. Perhaps trying to prove there is no replacement for displacement, the Corvette supercar -- equipped with a 638 horsepower, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 -- has just come off a day on the 'Ring with GM development engineer Jim Mero behind the wheel and has responded to Godzilla's run with a 7:26.4.
Most car enthusiasts are quite familiar with the Nürburgring. Built in the 1920’s near Cologne, Germany, “the Ring” is considered to be the toughest and most challenging race track in the world. Over the last two weeks, GM have been doing their final tuning and testing there before we start ZR1 production cars. This morning (Friday June 27), General Motors development engineer Jim Mero drove the Corvette ZR1 around the Nürburgring in a time of 7:26.4. Jim commented after the lap that conditions were good except for a strong headwind down the main straight and that the lap was solid, but he felt there were a few places he could have gone faster. The car was bone stock with the exception of the communications and safety equipment. The tires were production Michelin Pilot Sport 2’s. These tires have been developed specifically for the ZR1 and will have impressive wet traction and wear (tread wear rating = 220), in addition to excellent dry road holding. Chassis alignment and vehicle height were set to factory specs. Likewise, the engine calibrations were absolutely stock, emissions compliant and the car ran on pump (not racing) fuel. The vehicle was exactly like the cars that will be built in Bowling Green, Kentucky and sold around the world later this summer. According to to Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter, despite posting one of the fastest times ever run by a production car, Nürburgring lap times were not an over-riding priority in the development of the ZR1. The truth is, if the only priority was speed at the ring, the car would not be very pleasant to drive on American roads. The ZR1 is an incredibly capable track machine, but unlike most ultra-high performance cars, it is very easy to live with on a daily basis. The timed lap was run with a rolling start, a departure from our previous practice of standing starts. This is more aligned with current industry practice. The lap was electronically timed and confirmed with two hand-held stopwatches. An in-car video will be posted when the engineering team returns from Germany. Look for it the week of July 7 on the GM Next website or right here on the Kerbeck Corvette Blog or Kerbeck Corvette website! | | Source: GM Next |
CLICK HERE TO DISCUSS THIS STORY WITH OTHER CORVETTE ENTHUSIASTS! |
| Thursday June 26, 2008 | | Inside the Corvette Paint Lab | Discussion
| Did you ever wonder about those robots that paint your Corvettes? Well, Kerbeck Corvette is happy to help fill in you questions! Only a handful of video crews have ever been inside the Corvette Paint Lab. GMnext takes you behind closed doors revealing the intricate process behind painting a car. So now when you're driving you beauty or thinking about placing your order for a 2009 Corvette (from Kerbeck) you'll now be a little more informed! | | Source: GMNext.com |
CLICK HERE TO DISCUSS THIS STORY WITH OTHER CORVETTE ENTHUSIASTS! |
| Wednesday June 25, 2008 | | Corvette ZR1 By The Numbers | Discussion
| Chevrolet announces performance results for the new ultimate-performance Corvette
DETROIT – The official Corvette ZR1 numbers are in and they're good. Very good:
EPA-estimated fuel economy of 14 city and 20 highway
0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds
0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds
Quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.3 seconds at 131 mph The Corvette ZR1 also has a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), making it the fastest Corvette ever produced and ranking it among the global super cars of commensurate performance. None of those other super cars, however, equals the ZR1's performance-per-dollar ratio. "The ZR1 is an incredible machine by any measure," said Ed Peper, North American Vice President, Chevrolet. "There's simply no other vehicle in the world that does a better job of balancing performance, price and fuel economy." Performance perspectiveThe Corvette ZR1's 0-60 performance is 0.3-second quicker than the already-quick Corvette Z06 and the 0-100-mph performance is nearly a full second quicker - 7 seconds vs. the Z06's 7.9 seconds. It is performance that is equal to or better than many super cars costing substantially more. "A favorable power-to-weight ratio gives the ZR1 an advantage over the competition and performance that has to be experienced to fully appreciate," said Tom Wallace, Corvette chief engineer. "Of course, on a racetrack, drivers of competitors' cars may appreciate the ZR1 in a whole different manner." And the racetrack isn't the only place where the ZR1 trumps its super-car competitors – it beats them at the gas pump, too. According to fueleconomy.gov, the ZR1's EPA-rated 14 city and 20 highway mileage ratings beat 2008 competitors such as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (11 city / 15 highway); the Lamborghini Murcielago (8 city / 13 highway) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (12 city / 19 highway). They're competitive with the Dodge Viper (13 city / 22 highway) and the Porsche 911 GT3 (15 city / 22 highway). Under the carbon-fiber hoodA new LS9 6.2L supercharged small-block engine powers the ZR1's performance capability. Heavy-duty and lightweight reciprocating components support high-rpm performance, while a new, sixth-generation supercharger (and complementing charge-cooling system) helps the LS9 make big power and torque across the rpm range. The engine is hand-assembled at GM's Performance Build Center, in Wixom, Mich. In addition to the LS9 engine, the ZR1 is a technology powerhouse, designed with lightweight and unique components that reinforce its performance with a confidant feel on either a highway or road course. Options: The standard ZR1 comes with accoutrements based on the Z06, including lightweight seats and lightweight content. The available uplevel interior package includes power-adjustable, heated and leather-trimmed sport seats (embroidered with the ZR1 logo); side air bags; Bose premium audio system; navigation system; Bluetooth connectivity; power telescoping steering column; custom leather-wrapped interior available in four colors and more. Chrome wheels are the only other available option on the ZR1. | | Source: General Motors Press Release |
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| Monday June 23, 2008 | | Corvette Concept Car Spotted on the Set of Transformers Sequel | Discussion
| Our friends at Jalopnik are at it again! This time they are posting pictures of what, they are told, is a Corvette concept shot on the set of the new Transformers 2 movie, Revenge of the Fallen. The latest shot, posted to the Motown Muscle forum, comes with some degree of reliability given it comes with two new shots of the "Bumblebee" version of the 2010 Chevy Camaro Z28. That's right, the e-mail tipster, who also posted the shots on the forum, claims not only that this is a 2010 (or 2012) Corvette concept, but also that this isn't the "SS" Camaro, it's the Z28. Whether this mean Chevy will offer not only get a "Super Sport" package, but also a "special performance package" via a Z28 check box remains to be seen. Jalsopnik has also been told it may just be a package we can order from the folks at Saleen. But, they digress — if you're to believe the poster, both vehicles are getting some sort of paint treatment as part of work they're undergoing at the hands of Chip Foose. How the producers of the new Transformers 2 movie got Foose to step away from his work on "Foosical: The Musical" we'll never know.   | | Source: Jalopnik.com |
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| Tuesday June 17, 2008 | | Building a ZR1 from Start to Finish! | Discussion
| This morning General Motors released all the official information for the 2009 Chevy Corvette ZR1 including 0-60 mph time (3.4 sec), quarter-mile (11.3 sec at 131 mph) and top speed (205 mph).
This Corvette is the fastest, most powerful and most expensive vehicle GM has ever built. So how does it get built? Why, at the Corvette's Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky. Put together by the same people who lovingly assemble the Corvette Coupes, Convertibles and Z06s, the ZR1 is nevertheless is much more difficult a vehicle to build than the regular Corvette coupe on which it's based.
Watch this video from the GMNext website to see a ZR1 go from a frame to a supercar in under 5 minutes of time-lapsed video interspersed with interviews of the plant workers who have the privilege of assembling the King of the Hill!
Click for Video!
| | Source: GM Next |
CLICK HERE TO DISCUSS THIS STORY WITH OTHER CORVETTE ENTHUSIASTS! |
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