VM: Will Chevrolet offer a factory-issued rollbar for the car?
JF: At this point, we have no plans to bring one out, but we did consider it. For now, we'll leave that to the aftermarket.
VM: Are all '13 Corvette factory colors and trim packages available to the 427 convertible?
JF: It will be available in all exterior, interior, and top colors that we offer for 2013, and in 2LT, 3LT, and 4LT trim levels. At this point that includes non-recommended color/trim/top combos, and get ready for this: Black returns as an exterior color for the model year.
VM: Will production or dealer allocation of the 427 convertible be constrained to increase its exclusivity?
JF: No. We will build as many as people want. We aim to please.
VM: What date will they be available for customer order?
JF: Dealer and customer ordering opens in late March 2012.
VM: When will dealer deliveries begin?
JF: We expect them to be in dealer showrooms in June of this year.
VM: Will they be available to order until summer 2013?
JF: No. Our 2013 Corvette model run is not going to be a full 12-month run. It will be a bit shorter. We start production in May 2012 and will end production in the first quarter of 2013.
VM: What will pricing be for the model and its options?
JF: We'll announce pricing in the spring.
VM: Is the 427 convertible signed up for pace-car duties at Indy, Daytona, or other speedways for 2013?
JF: We cannot disclose an answer to that question at this point.
VM: What options are available to augment the 427 convertible buying experience?
JF: It is available for the Engine Plant Build Experience (EPBE), where you help build your Corvette's engine at our Performance Build Center. It will also have a unique VIN sequence and you can specify the last digits of your VIN.
VM: Will the Corvette 427 convertible live beyond the 2013 model year?
JF: We can't answer that, but have no doubt that 2013 is the last model run for the C6 Corvette, Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1. If you're sitting on the fence about getting a 427 convertible, a Z06, or a ZR1, now is the time to put your order in.
Note: For '13, all Corvettes will feature 60th Anniversary badges on the fascias (and the "waterfall" panel on convertible models), as well as 60th logos in the instrument-panel gauge cluster and on the sill plates.
Preliminary Specs
'13 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition
- Model: Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition
Body styles/driveline: Two-door convertible; rear-wheel drive Construction: Composite body panels, hydroformed steel frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components Manufacturing location: Bowling Green, KY Displacement (cu in/cc): 427/7,008 Bore & stroke (in/mm): 4.125 x 4/104.8 x 101.6 Block material: Cast aluminum Cylinder head material: Cast aluminum Valvetrain: Overhead valve, two valves per cylinder Fuel delivery: SFI (sequential fuel injection) Compression ratio: 11.0:1 Horsepower: 505/377 at 6,300 Torque (lb-ft/Nm at rpm): 470/637 at 4,800 Recommended fuel: Premium required Estimated fuel economy (city/hwy): 15/24 (no guzzler tax) Transmission: Six-speed manual (automatic trans is not available)
- Front: Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, cast- aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber; Magnetic Selective Ride Control
Rear: Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, cast- aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber; Magnetic Selective Ride Control Traction control: Electronic traction control; active handling
- Type: Front and rear power-assisted disc with ABS with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers, cross-drilled rotors
Rotor diameter x thickness (in/mm): Front Brake swept area (sq in/mm): Front
- Wheelbase (in/mm): 105.7/2,685
Overall length (in/mm): 175.6/4,460 Overall width (in/mm): 75.9/1,928 Overall height (in/mm): 48.7/1,236 Curb weight (lb/kg): 3355/1,522 Weight distribution (% front/rear): 50/50
Interior volume (cu ft/L): 52/1,475 Legroom (in/mm): 43/1,092 Shoulder room (in/mm): 55/1,397 Hip room (in/mm): 54/1,371
- Cargo volume (cu ft/L): 11/295 (top up); 7.5/212 (top down)
Fuel tank (gal/L): 18/68.1 Engine oil (qt/L): 10.5/9.9 Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.