2012 Corvette ZR1 Review, contain about 2012 Review, below include 2012 specs, price and features. Last year, the Corvette ZR1 was delivered with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. With a “maximum performance summer” classification (treadwear rating of 220), the well-respected rubber delivered impressive handling. For 2012, Chevrolet is cranking things up several notches by offering the optional High-Performance package (PDE ZR1) featuring new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires. The “track and competition” classified compound (with a treadwear rating of just 80!) is optimized for warm, dry conditions to increase cornering and handling capability. They are “… essentially street-legal versions of a racing tire,” says the automaker. The insanely wide tires (285/30R19 and 335/25R20) come wrapped around all-new staggered-size alloy wheels that are each about five pounds lighter than last year’s 20-spoke wheel.
Inside the lightly revised two-person cabin, the steering wheel has been enhanced with model-specific badges, the center console and armrests further padded and there is now contrasting stitching (red, blue or yellow) offered with the custom leather-wrapped interior. Chevrolet has also directed some much-needed attention to the seats, which have been upgraded with larger bolsters on the back and side cushion areas. To help keep occupants in place, there are also new faux microfiber suede seat inserts. Lastly, the Bose audio system has been reconfigured with nine speakers (it had seven last year) and the sound has been re-tuned to better match the cabin’s acoustics.
The engine remains untouched, but the ZR1′s standard close-ratio manual gearbox has been tweaked for improved fuel economy. In a nutshell, fifth and six gears are now taller. According to Chevrolet, it should now deliver an additional two mpg on the highway cycle to earn an EPA estimated 14 mpg city / 21 mpg highway – an obvious exercise to pacify the Feds…
When it first came on the scene, the ZR1 didn’t carry a six-digit price tag. These days, a standard 2012 Chevrolet ZR1 starts with a base price of $111,600. However, the black car in our driveway was fitted with $17,435 worth of options. These included the 3ZR trim, which raises the base price to $122,600, the PDE ZR1 High-Performance package ($1,495) and the Chevrolet Centennial Special Edition package ($4,950). The latter includes the Carbon Flash Metallic exterior paint over full Ebony leather upholstery, Satin Black Cup-style wheels with red calipers, red accent stitching on the seats and steering wheel, a leather-wrapped instrument panel and doors with red accent stitching, special interior and exterior badging and Satin Black exterior graphics. Our final price was $130,010, including destination and freight. Steep, but not outrageous given the performance.
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