The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most unmistakable sports cars around. Being “America’s sports car” for upwards of 58 years, the Corvette has been a staple and benchmark for other sports cars to follow after. For 100 years Chevrolet has been in existence and to commemorate a century of selling over 200 million vehicles around the world, a new Centennial Edition package is available for the iconic Corvette for 2012.

I had the opportunity to review the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Centennial Edition. My Corvette test vehicle was the Grand Sport model with a Centennial Edition package. For 2012, you can have the Centennial package added to any Corvette whether it is the base model, Grand Sport, Z06 or the ultimate performance injected ZR1.

The all-new 2012 Chevrolet Corvette carries the classic look that has made it a distinguished sports car not only in the eye of enthusiasts but also clearly recognized by the average Joe. For 2012, the Corvette receives a new seat design, an available Bose stereo system, and new steering wheel. I would argue that the Corvette’s interior has come a long way which is a good thing considering how previous generations were perceived by many. Looking at the new 2012 C6 body style, one would agree that the Corvette has attempted to shake off the old notion of not having an interior to compete with other sports cars on the market. It would be safe to say that the newer Corvette C6 generation has a much improved interior and aims to please some of the most critical sports car buyers.

My new 2012 Corvette Centennial Special Edition brings out the essence of a true American sports car. My Corvette started life as a Grand Sport model on the assembly line but received a special black-on-black color scheme. To start things off, the paint color is an attractive Carbon Flash Metallic augmented by satin black lightweight cast-spun aluminum 5-spoke wheels. The red painted 6-piston brake calipers up front and 4-piston rear clamp down on the Grand Sport packages larger diameter cross-drilled rotors than those in the base model.

You will find the man that started it all, Louis Chevrolet, illustrated in 100^th Anniversary emblems on the wheels, steering wheel and side B-pillars.  The Centennial Special Edition Package is truly a remarkable addition to any Corvette.

Also part of the Centennial Special Edition package, my 2012 Corvette Grand Sport receives General Motor’s Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension system. The ride control is what sets the riding style of the new Corvette apart from other sports cars. Not to mention, Ferrari utilizes GM’s suspension technology in their prided 458 Italia. Two selective modes, touring and sport, allow the driver to dial-in their own preference. The suspension system also automatically adapts to road conditions adjusting the magnetic dampers in milliseconds. I have to say, the ride quality is among the best in the sports car segment eliminating virtually any harsh feedback once prone to previous generation Corvettes.

Each new Corvette in the base model and Grand Sport trim is powered by the big 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine pumping out a healthy 430 horsepower and 428 ft-lbs. of torque. My Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Special Edition included an optional exhaust system boosting horsepower output to 436hp. Surprisingly performance numbers are very respectable getting in a run from 0 mph to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. A launch control system aids in obtaining that performance figure even with the 6-speed manual transmission. Simply put the traction and stability control system into Competition mode, bury the gas pedal, and dump the clutch.

The 6-speed manual box is very direct with rather strong shifter springs. Despite the stiff lateral movement of the shifter, it only takes a competent driver a few minutes to row through the gears with confidence. Fuel consumption figures come in at a surprising 16mpg city and 26mpg highway. During the bulk of my “civilized” drive I had no issue hitting 26mpg on the highway.

The new 2012 Corvette handles well pushing a 1.06 lateral G on the skidpad. Some of its handling abilities are due to the relatively low curb weight of 3,289 pounds, remarkable active magnetic dampening suspension setup and meaty Goodyear Eagle F1 Z-rated run-flat 325/30/19R tires in the rear and 275/35/18 up front.

Power comes on strong and tends to surge even more just before redline in the new 2012 Corvette. Traction control takes a back seat at times allowing the rear wheels to spin when under full-throttle power. Stability control kicks in fast to keep the Corvette laterally civilized and not letting the rear wheels nudge too far out of line. Sometimes the intervention is snappy spoiling any chance of swinging the light-weight rear end off center.

The new 2012 Corvette Grand Sport has a serious growl when you open up the throttle. My Centennial Special Edition Corvette features an optional dual-mode exhaust which uses vacuum actuated bypass valves opening up around 3500 rpm letting the Vette breath better for a total of 6 more horsepower over the standard 430hp. As you can imagine, unleashing the raw sound of a big 6.2-liter V8 at full throttle makes for a little extra rumbling noise pollution. It all sounds great if you are a diehard enthusiast. At times the Corvette managed to make more noise in the cabin than the Bose stereo system but remained surprisingly civilized when cruising.

An optional removable transparent roof panel replaces the standard body-color removable roof panel on the Grand Sport model. The Centennial Special Edition accent stripes running down the middle of the car are visible on the inside running across the transparent roof panel.

The new heated sports seats on the 2012 Corvette are well-bolstered giving just enough lateral support when you decide to hit the curvy roads. My Centennial Special Edition Corvette Grand Sport’s seats had leather bolsters but microfiber suede inserts. Red stitching is used throughout the seats while a “100” logo is embroidered into the headrests. The new suede steering wheel fits well in your hands and features minimal controls for cruise, stereo station change and volume.

The 2012 Corvette dashboard and cluster have been somewhat refined from previous generations but remain to have a classic look. The integrated navigation and stereo system in the center-stack touch-LCD-screen is rather simplistic and easy to use. You may find yourself stuck in some menus or stereo operations only to find that a simple touch of the source or navigation button will get you where you need to be. I find that the AC and heater controls are the only “cheap” part of the new 2012 Corvette’s dashboard. The plastic turn knobs for temp and other HVAC operations look basic and the mono-tone LCD read-out seems somewhat out of place.

The heritage of the Corvette is strong, laterally, and continues to live on in the new 2012 Chevrolet Corvette. The Grand Sport model coming in at a base price of $55,925 is a good bet on a well-performing American legend. Adding the $4,950 Centennial Special Edition package will set the Corvette apart from the norm injecting added style and Chevrolet pride. My new 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Special Edition test vehicle came out to a total of $70,185.

Copyright: 2011 AutomotiveAddicts.com

SPECIFICATIONS

• Price: Base Corvette Grand Sport $55,925 / Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Special Edition $70,185 as tested
• Engine: 6.2-liter 16-valve V8 436 horsepower @ 5900 rpm / 424 ft-lbs. torque @ 4600 rpm
• Total length: 175.6in.
• Total width: 75.9in.
• Total height: 48.7in.
• Wheelbase:105.7in.
• Track: f/r-63.5/62.5in.
• Turning circle: 39ft.
• Headroom: 37.7in.
• Legroom: 43.1.in
• Fuel tank: 18 gallons
• Curb weight: 3,289 lbs.-six-speed manual
• EPA fuel economy: 16mpg/city, 26mpg/highway
• 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds

If you own Gran Turismo 5 for the Sony PS3, chances are good you’ve seen the Art Morrison 1960 3G Corvette. You may even own it, if you’ve got a bank account big enough, or you may have simply looked it over and opted to buy something more contemporary. After all, who wants a fifty-year-old relic when you can buy something really fast, like a Nissan GT-R, for less money?

Watch Matt Farah drive the Art Morrison 3G Corvette in The Smoking Tire episode below, and you’re likely to come away with an entirely different perspective. First, the only thing the Art Morrison Corvette has in common with an original 1960 Corvette is the body style. Underneath, the 3G Corvette rocks a modern chassis, modern suspension, modern brakes and a seven-liter V-8 good for 538 horsepower. It’s got 50 / 50 front to rear weight distribution and and extremely low center of gravity, so it’s going to hold its own against a lot of cars on the racetrack.

Some would say that cutting up a survivor 1960 Corvette is an act bordering on blasphemy, but I’d beg to differ. Art and Craig Morrison have taken something and improved it in every way, and there are plenty of low mileage, trailered-to-car-shows 1960 Corvettes to gawk at. Their 3G Corvette took over 3200 man hours hours to build, and the result is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of design and engineering.

‘SUPERCAR THRILLS WITH MONEY LEFT IN THE BANK’

The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the world’s only two-seat super sports car that costs less than $75,000.00 enabling you to save thousands of dollars to spend while enjoying the thrills of driving a true world-class supercar.  I love Corvette’s and this model is like no other on the market.  With its racing-inspired powertrain and suspension features, along with an aluminum frame and carbon fiber fenders and floor panels, it delivers world-class levels of capability and automotive high-technology.  With a curb weight of just 3,175lbs. it is the lightest, best-balanced Corvette model and one of the worlds most aggressively designed supercars on the market.  It is a blast to drive and increases your heartbeat just looking at it.

Indeed, racing is in the Corvette Z06’s DNA and many owners’ cars see double duty as daily drivers and weekend road course warriors.  It’s what the car was designed for and, compared to other sports cars that cost up to double-triple-or more, the Z06 offers competitive levels of performance at a lower price.

Chevrolet brings significant updates to the Z06 for 2011, with special packages and new options that enhance performance and styling, while also offering great personalization choices: they include new standard Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires and a returned dual exhaust system, new Z07 Performance Package, new CFZ Carbon Fiber Package, Z06 Carbon limited-edition model, two new exterior colors, Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue (my test Z06), optional contrasting-color headlamps in Cyber Gray, Black or Blade Silver, new interior custom color stitching in red, blue or yellow, and a USB port and input jack included with the navigation radio.  The Z07 Performance Package brings greater handling and braking capability to the Z06 with Brembo ceramic brakes, with gray metallic calipers, similar to those offered on the Corvette ZR1, Magnetic Ride Control, Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, twenty-spoke wheels in competition gray (19X10in. front, 20X12in. rear).  The CFZ Carbon Fiber Package give the Z06 lightweight aero enhancements similar to those found on the ZR1, included in the optional package is a black-painted carbon fiber front splitter, rockers, roof panel and a body-color full-width rear spoiler.  The Z06 Carbon limited-edition model blends the performance features of the Z07 package and the styling cues of the Carbon Fiber package.  In addition to the features included with both new packages, this sinister-looking Z06 also includes a raised carbon fiber hood, black wheels, outside mirrors, and headlamp housings, a special engine cover, a leather and suede interior with body-color stitching, special graphics commemorating 50-years of Le Mans racing, and a special vehicle identification number sequence.  The Z06 Carbon is designed to be the best Corvette for track events, with the chassis and aerodynamic features of the ZR1 complemented by the lower curb weight and balance of the naturally aspirated Z06’s 427cu.in. V8 engine.  Chevrolet will build no more than 500 examples of the Z06 Carbon; it is available in Supersonic Blue or Inferno Orange.

My test Z06 came equipped with the new Supersonic Blue Metallic paint and the 3LZ premium equipment package that includes a custom leather wrapped interior, Bose Premium 7-speaker surround sound system, power telescopic leather wrapped steering wheel with buttons for the audio system and Bluetooth, heated seats, memory for two drivers, universal home remote, power adjustable sport bucket seats, luggage shade and cargo net.  This nicely loaded Z06 kept me happy and thrilled on my rides around LA and through the canyons and mountains north ofMalibu.

And away we go!  The Corvette Z06 is powered by the LS7 7.0 liter, 427cu.in. V8 all-aluminum V8 engine that generates 505hp at 6,300rpm and 470lb.ft. of torque at 4,800rpm.  Unique features include a racing-style dry-sump oiling system that helps ensure adequate oil pressuring during high-load cornering.  The LS7 engine powers the 3,175 pound package to 0-60mph in a world-class 3.7 seconds in first gear, the ¼ mile in just 11.7 seconds at 125mph and to a top speed of 198mph.  The Tremec TR6060 short-throw, smooth shifting manual is the only transmission offered with the engine.

The Corvette Z06’s powertrain and drivetrain are matched to the LS7’s performance capability.  The light, four-into-one headers discharge into close-coupled catalytic converters and through two-mode mufflers.  The mufflers each feature a vacuum-actuated outlet valve, which controls exhaust noise during low-load operation but opens for maximum power.  When you first push the dash-mounted start button you’ll hear a loud blast of engine fire, then quiets down as you ease on the throttle and make you way down the road.  It is quiet enough when just cruising at low to moderate speeds to enjoy the awesome Bose Surround Sound audio system.  When you mash your foot down on the throttle for some ‘pinned-to-the-back of the seat thrills, it gives out a monstrous engine growl that can be heard from two blocks away.  Wow!  What fun you’ll have behind the wheel-cranking it up to hear the beautiful growl, you mild-mannered at conservative speeds.

At the rear of the LS7 engine, a single-mass flywheel and lightweight, high-capacity clutch channel torque to the rear transaxle.  The TR6060 six-speed manual is strengthened to handle the LS7’s substantial torque load.  It also incorporates a pump that sends transmission fluid to the front radiator for cooling.  Upon its return, the fluid removes additional heat from the differential lube before returning to the transmission.

The six-speed transmission connects to a limited-slip differential, with enlarged ring and pinion gears.  Stronger axle half-shafts with tougher universal joints transmit power to the rear wheels.

All of that power is wasted if the Z06 doesn’t have a solid foundation and world-class suspension system to handle the forward power generated from the LS7 engine.  It does and does it beautifully.  The Z06 has an aluminum body structure for optimum stiffness and light weight for the fixed-roof body style.  Perimeter rails are one-piece hydroformed aluminum members featuring cast suspension nodes, which replace many welded steel components on other Corvette models.  Advanced structural composites featuring carbon-fiber are bonded to the aluminum structure.  The wider front wheelhouses, for example, are carbon composites, and the passenger compartment floors combine carbon-fiber skins with an ultra-lightweight balsa wood core.

The Z06 has a magnesium cradle that serves as the attachment point for the engine and some front suspension components.  Magnesium is lighter than aluminum, yet incredibly strong.  The magnesium cradle helps improve the front-to-rear weight distribution (50/50%), as do carbon-fiber front fenders and wheelhouses.  Engineers also moved the battery from underhood to a position in the rear cargo area, behind one of the rear wheels and out of sight.

The Z06 retains the 105.7 inch wheelbase of other Corvette models, as well as the short-long arm (double-wishbone) fully independent suspension and transverse leaf design but it has its own rear spring and roll stabilizer geometry as well as the cast aluminum upper and lower controls arms, and gas-charged monotube shock absorbers front and rear.  The suspension is firmer than on a regular C6 Corvette and it works harmoniously with the new 19X9.5 inch cast-spun aluminum wheels and the new Goodyear 275/35ZR18 inch front and 19X12 inch cast-spun aluminum wheels with 325/30ZR19 inch F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires in the rear.  With standard traction control, active handling and launch control the Z06 is incredible.  It feels even more like you are glued to the road than using the term ‘riding on rails’.  In heavy load cornering, there wasn’t even a squeal or shutter from the tires.  They just hold you so tight around corners that you would normally slow down upon entering.  I was amazed.  For even more challenge you can shut the traction control system off and let the rear slide from under you to really slice through the curves.  On the skid pan the Z06 pulls 1.0 g’s.  That’s real racecar suspension power.  You can feel the car move left or right with the slightest pull of the steering wheel.  It is a thrilling ride you can’t find in any amusement park!

Complementing the world-class suspension system and large rolling stock is an equally capable world-class four-wheel disc brake system, consisting of 14 inch vented and cross-drilled front rotors and 13.4 inch vented and cross-drilled rear rotors.  The front rotors are acted upon by large, red-painted six-piston calipers that use six individual brake pads.  Individual brake pads are used because they deliver more equalized wear compared to what would otherwise be a pair of very long single-piece pads.  The rear brakes use four-piston calipers with four individual brake pads.  A four-channel ABS system is standard.  From the engine to the 60-0mph 113 foot stopping power of the brakes, the Z06 is world-class sports car bliss in every respect.

Also world-class and breathtaking is the aggressive, low and wide stance that is functional as it is attractive.  The styling highlights include a wide front fascia with a large, forward-facing grille opening, a splitter along the bottom and wheel opening extensions along the sides to provide aerodynamic downforce, a cold-air scoop in front of the hood that integrated an air inlet system for the engine, a trailing edge of the front wheel opening that is radiused to achieve improved drag, but protects the body finish with a tough molding and a large air extractor bearing the Z06 logo, that is behind the wheel, the fixed-roof body style optimizes body rigidity and mass, shaved door handles improve aerodynamic drag, wide rear fenders with flares cover the massive rear tires and a brake cooling scoop in front of the wheels visually balances the fender extractor, a tall rear spoiler houses the CHMSL on the top of the rear fascia, ten-spoke spider-design aluminum wheels, and four large round stainless steel exhaust outlets are located under the bottom between the working diffuser.

The aerodynamics of the Z06’s exterior was shaped by the experiences of the Corvette racing program, where high-speed stability and cornering capability are paramount.  While the race cars use large rear wings, the Z06’s elevated spoiler provides sufficient downforce to balance the road-worthy front splitter without adversely affecting aerodynamic drag.

For all of its race-inspired functionality, the 2011 Z06 is designed to be a daily-drivable, high-performance vehicle.  To that end, comfort and convenience are held to a very high standard.  Standard features not mentioned above include HID headlamps, foglamps, power-adjustable, leather-trimmed sport bucket seats, dual-zone climate control with air filtration, the original head’s-up display with track and g-meter (unbelievable), power windows/power door locks, cruise-control, variable-speed wipers/washers/rear defroster, carbon-fiber bezel around the center stack and on the center console with dual cupholders under an accordion cover, a storage bin with padded armrest, carpeted floor mats, driver information center, power-remote/heated sideview mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel with buttons for the audio system/Bluetooth, remote trunk release/fuel door, power hatch pull down and an instrument cluster that is fantastic for its large, easy to read 7,000rpm tachometer, 200+mph speedometer, oil pressure/engine coolant temperature/volt meter/fuel gauges, all aluminum foot pedals, properly placed parking brake with brushed aluminum button, ergonomically designed leather/aluminum stick shifter, dual map lamps, dual vanity lighted mirrors, and storage in the glove box and door inserts.

Standard safety features include front and side impact airbags, OnStar directions with automatic airbag deployment response, keyless entry with push button start/stop, and a theft deterrent system with alarm.

The new 2011 Corvette Z06 has it all for supercar power and handling prowess in an aggressive and unique body style like no other supercar on the road.  You can drive it every day and take it to the track on weekends.  With all of these attributes you would think it is priced like other competitive world-class, two-seat sports cars that cost more than $200,000.00 but the Z06 is based priced at an unbelievable low $74,305.00 and my nicely loaded test model was stickered at just $81,775.00.  Amazing, awesome and true!

COPYRIGHT:2011:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

• Price: Base Corvette Z06 $74,375 As-Tested $81,775
• Engine: 7.0-liter V8 505 horsepower @ 6300 rpm / 470 ft-lbs. torque @ 4800 rpm
• Compression ratio: 11.0:1
• Wheelbase: 105.7 inches
• Total length: 175.6 inches
• Total width: 75.9 inches
• Total height: 48.7 inches
• Headroom: 38 inches
• Legroom: 43 inches
• Fuel tank: 18 gallon
• 0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
• EPA mileage: 15mpg/city, 24mpg/highway

Image: © GM Corp.

Barrett-Jackson has had good luck selling the first available Chevy models over the past few years. Last year, I watched them drop the hammer on the first available Z06 Carbon, which sold to NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick for $297,000. In 2009, the first available Camaro sold for $350,000, but none of these recent sales top Barrett-Jackson’s price of $1 million for the first Corvette ZR-1, sold at their Scottsdale event in 2008. This year, Barrett-Jackson auctioned off a Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition, with the proceeds going to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. When the gavel fell, the special edition Corvette had sold for $175,000, to – you guessed it – Rick Hendrick.

The car sold will be production number 100 of the Centennial Edition Corvettes, and will come with the Z07 performance package, the CFZ carbon fiber package and even a carbon fiber hood. The Centennial Edition package, which will be available on all 2012 Corvette models, includes special Carbon Flash Metallic paint, matte black graphics, custom wheels, interior badging and GM’s outstanding Magnetic Ride suspension. Want more details? See our story on Chevy’s announcement of the Centennial Edition Corvettes here.

Source: Corvette Blogger

The Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition. Image: © GM Corp.

Louis Chevrolet, the man behind the bow-tie badge, was a race car driver long before he founded the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in 1911. It’s fitting, then, that Chevrolet is honoring it’s 100th birthday with a special edition of the Corvette, the most-campaigned race car in Chevrolet’s long history. The 2012 Centennial Edition package will be available across the entire Corvette range, including the ZR1, and includes both appearance and content upgrades.

Image: © GM Corp.

All Centennial Edition Corvettes wear Carbon Flash Metallic paint, augmented by satin black graphics and wheels. The Centennial Satin Black wheels are made from lightweight cast-spun aluminum, and Z06 models get a thin red stripe on the lip to match the red brake calipers on all Centennial Edition cars. Magnetic Selective Ride Control, previously available on ZR1 and Z06 models only, is also included on all special edition cars.

Image: © GM Corp.

Unique graphics distinguish the cars as well. A logo bearing the image of Louis Chevrolet is featured on the B-pillars, the wheel center caps and the steering wheel airbag cover. Seats get an embossed centennial logo, and even the traditional “crossed flags” Corvette logo gets special treatment on Centennial Edition ‘Vettes, with the fleur-de-lis symbol replaced by a “100” logo. The black theme carries over inside the car as well, with all special edition cars receiving an Ebony leather interior with microfiber suede inserts. Red stitching is used to highlight the steering wheel, seats, console and shifter.

Image: © GM Corp.

Pricing will be announced this summer, prior to the start of availability. The initial car will be a Z06 with the Z07 performance package and the CFZ carbon fiber package, to be auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson’s West Palm Beach, FL, auction on April 9. Proceeds from the sale of the first available Centennial Edition Corvette will go to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. The car will be the 100th 2012 Corvette built, so it will even carry a VIN ending in 00100.

Source: Chevrolet

[original post date: 02/10/2009] I honestly believe that the new Nissan GT-R has sparked quite an interest and crave for launch control. Many cars way before the Nissan GT-R have had their own system for a launch control either in a SMG transmission in the E46 BMW M3 or the Volkswagen’s early DSG found in the GTI.

The ultimate crave for launch control baffles me but you have to understand that I would take a full manual transmission any day over a, what Jeremy Clarkson calls them, floppy paddle gear box. Even with Nissans woes with grenaded transmissions in the GT-R, launch control is still a big hit. Even Hitler “had to launch it”.

Ever since the introduction of drive-by-wire, auto manufacturers have been toying with new electronics that improve upon the over-all safety of a vehicle. New systems come standard in many vehicles now such as dynamic skid control or also known as vehicle dynamic control or electronic stability control (name varies from each manufacturer). Many of these new systems utilize a combination of computer operated units from the ABS braking, traction control and accelerator control. I am sure if manufacturers thought they could play with these systems and make a car safer then why not develop a precise method for accelerating a vehicle with a computer to make it faster.

It is all a numbers game if you think about it. I am sure many car enthusiasts, including yourself, may have experimented with dropping your clutch at a certain RPM to get the full potential out of a launch from a dead-stop. Even you guys with automatics have almost perfected holding the brake pedal while stomping on the accelerator in preparation for a ‘launch’. What if your car could do this for you? Well, many new exotic and sports cars can but it does take the use of a special transmission or a manual transmission that is controlled by a computer, except in Porsches’ case with their newest launch control system on a full manual transmission.

Where did this idea and technology come from?

If you think about it, F1 cars among other racing cars were already using a type of the technology that we see in today’s cars fitted with dual clutch transmissions and SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) units. Racing is where it begins… most times. From the F1 cars now shifting well under 60 milliseconds to the Nissan GT-R’s dual clutch shifting time of around 200 milliseconds, computers have taken cars to a new level of performance where a human just simply cannot match yielding a much higher level of performance.

Cars with Launch Control

Many of the baby boomers know ‘launch control’ to be something only NASA quotes in the control room during a space shuttle launch. Now we can all experience a ‘horizontal’ launch in many of today’s technologically advanced performance vehicles.

So which cars have launch control? Below is a short list that we have compiled of all vehicles with an available launch control. If we missed any please post a comment below and let us know.

Please note: Some of the vehicles included on the list may only have a staging RPM setting which some may call “launch control” but it is not as involved as a fully automated launch control or uses a sequential shifting transmission (paddle shifter) such as in the Nissan GT-R.

• Audi R8
• Audi TT
• BMW M3
• BMW M5
• BMW M6
• Bugatti Veyron
• Chevrolet Corvette/ZR1
• Ferrari 360cs
• Ferrari 599 GTB/GTO
• Ferrari F430/Scuderia
• Ferrari 458 Italia
• Lamborghini Gallardo/LP560
• Lamborghini Murcielago/LP640
• Lexus LFA
• Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR
• Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG
• Mercedes Benz SLS AMG
• Mitsubishi Evo Lancer Evolution/MR
• Nissan GT-R
• Porsche 911/Carrera/S/GT2
• Volkswagen GTI/Golf/Rabbit/R32

Various videos demonstrating launch control below after the jump…

This video is really amazing, you get to see two super cars go head to head! A ZR1 vs a Lambo? I wish I could have been there! In theory the Lambo should be faster than the ZR1, its lighter by about 60lbs and has 30 more hp, plus it has AWD. In the video the Lamborghini is being driven by a factory driver and the Corvette is being driven by a regular old auto journalist. This really makes you think that the ZR1 is one hell of a bargain!

[Source: YouTube via Autocar]

So this past Saturday, August 8th, 2009 was another Automotive Addicts (AA for short ) car meet.

At the first show (9am) there were about 180 cars! It was a record turn out for us. There were a lot of really nice cars and lots of cool people.

Pictures are posted below to see more go to Here

We would like to thank the First Coast Modified Mustangs club of Jacksonville for bringing out such a large herd along with everyone else who came out to this past car meet.
I know I had fun I hope all of you did too. We will see you all there next month, lets see if can get even MORE people there this time.