Chevrolet unveils Centennial Edition Corvette

Chevrolet's C6 Corvette is now well and truly in its twilight years -- the all-new C7 is expected to debut sometime next year -- so the bowtie brand has rolled out this limited-edition version of the V8-powered coupe to keep buyer interest alive in the meantime.

The Centennial Edition Corvette chalks up the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet and was allegedly designed to pay tribute to the racing heritage of the brand, which extends to the modern era as the 'Vette is still active in various racing formulae.

"Louis Chevrolet was a fearless racing pioneer who also designed our first car," says Chevrolet marketing boss, Rick Scheidt. "Corvette is a natural fit to honour that legacy, while creating a compelling new package for sports car drivers."

Due to go on sale in the US in June, the Centennial Edition package will be available on all Corvette models -- including Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1.

The Centennial Edition package comes exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic, with satin-black graphics and Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers.

The Centennial Edition also features special badges that signify Chevrolet's racing history -- logos featuring the image of Louis Chevrolet appear on the B-pillars, the wheel centre caps and the steering wheel boss. The seat headrests also carry an embossed centennial logo.

Aficionados will note one other small detail: The historic crossed flags badge contains a small adaptation, with "100" in place of the traditional fleur-de-lis symbol, only for the Centennial Edition.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control, which the company bills as the "the world's fastest-reacting suspension", is also standard on Centennial Edition Corvettes.

Inside, there's an ebony leather-wrapped instrument panel and doors complemented by red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, console and shifter. Microfibre suede accents also feature on Centennial Edition seats, steering wheel, shifter and armrests.

As for the next-gen (C7) Corvette, US sources suggest it may be publicly unveiled next year, but meeting stringent CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regulations could delay its arrival.

The new Corvette will reportedly gain GM's new 5.5-litre small-block V8, which features an alloy block and heads, but retains the current motor's pushrod configuration.

US sources suggest the V8 will push out around 330kW in the Corvette, while significantly reducing emissions and fuel consumption.

According to Car and Driver magazine: "We anticipate change in the C7 will be apparent at a glance, even to casual observers. It seems certain the coupe will feature a split rear window -- a la the one-year Sting Ray coupe of 1963. In this case it will be an optional feature."

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