DETROIT, MI — 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 Special 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 brand manager. "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 Special 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 Anniversary Red exterior paint, specific badging, Shale interior and champagne-painted anniversary wheels with special emblems. It also features embroidered badges on the seats and floormats, padded door armrests and grips and the convertible features a Shale top. The package includes Magnetic Selective Ride Control.

Magnetic 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.

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 (on coupe and convertible), 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 CRAS child seat hooks on the passenger seat to allow easier child seat connection. The Corvette’s airbag-off switch must be used to disable the passenger-side airbag 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.

 

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