2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

CHEVROLET RELEASES 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION CORVETTE, ADDS MAGNETIC SELECTIVE RIDE CONTROL TO LINEUP

For 50 years, the Chevrolet Corvette has been carefully crafted from a precise blend of power, performance, style and comfort. As it celebrates five colorful decades in the automotive business in 2003, Chevrolet's flagship continues its reign as one of GM's technology and style bellwethers.

For 2003, Corvette unveils a 50th Anniversary Edition, more standard equipment on the coupe and convertible models, and Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the industry's fastest and most powerful real-time damping suspension.

'Few vehicles have had the staying power of Corvette,' said Rick Baldick, Corvette marketing director. 'We believe much of that success comes from a willingness to embrace advancing technology while remaining true to Corvette's glorious history. As we celebrate our golden anniversary in 2003, we honor our past and cast a bright eye toward the future.'

A golden tribute
The 50th Anniversary Edition, available only during the 2003 model year on coupe and convertible models, is a tribute to a half-century of automotive leadership. It includes special 50th Anniversary Red exterior paint, specific badging, unique Shale interior including color coordinated instrument panel and console, and champagne-painted anniversary wheels with special emblems. It also features embroidered badges on the seats and floormats, padded door armrests and grips and a Shale convertible top. The Anniversary Edition includes the standard Corvette LS1 engine, as well as Magnetic Selective Ride Control. A special 50th Anniversary Edition of the 2003 Corvette was the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 last May, marking the fifth time that a Corvette has paced the race.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control
New on the Corvette for 2003, Magnetic Selective Ride Control uses a revolutionary damper design that controls wheel and body motion with Magneto-Rheological fluid in the shocks. By controlling the current to an electromagnetic coil inside the piston of the damper, the MR fluid's consistency can be changed, resulting in continuously variable real time damping. As a result, drivers feel a greater sense of security, a quieter, flatter ride and more precise, responsive handling, particularly during sudden, high-speed maneuvers.

The system isolates and smoothes the action of each tire, resulting in less bouncing, vibration and noise. On bumpy or slick surfaces, the system integrates with traction control to assure maximum stability. It also works with ABS to keep the vehicle balanced and poised. It is the only system without electro-mechanical values and no small moving parts. It consists of MR fluid-based, monotube shock absorbers, a sensor set and on-board controller.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control is available on Corvette coupe and convertible models for 2003. It is included with the 50th Anniversary Edition.

More standard equipment
Corvette adds new standard equipment on coupe and convertible models for 2003, including foglamps, sport seats, power passenger seat, dual-zone auto HVAC, and a parcel net and luggage shade on coupe.

CRAS child seat hooks, other new features
For those who bring their little ones along for the ride, the 2003 Corvette includes Child Restraint Attachment System (CRAS) child seat hooks on the passenger seat to allow easier child seat connection. The Corvette's air bag-'off' switch must be used to disable the passenger-side air bag when using child seats in the vehicle.

During 2003 only, all Corvettes feature a special 50th anniversary emblem on the front and rear. The emblem is silver and features the number '50' with the signature cross-flag design.

In addition, Medium Spiral Gray Metallic exterior paint replaces Pewter for 2003.

Source - GM Corporation