In addition to the valves highlighted in the AFM system, the exhaust system features an option that includes two additional electrical valves in the tailpipes, tuned specifically for enhanced sound quality, the company said. These valves remain closed during normal driving conditions and open during harder acceleration, creating lower backpressure, more engine power and the Vette's "signature sound."
"The Corvette is one of America's iconic automobiles, and Tenneco could not be more excited and pleased to partner with Chevrolet to provide a combination of performance attributes, including improved fuel economy, power and the vehicle's signature sound," said Tim Jackson, Tenneco's chief technology officer. "Additionally, the program gives Tenneco an opportunity to demonstrate our advanced exhaust technology on one of the highest performance vehicles available in the market."
The company manufactures the electric valves at its Valencia, Spain, facility, while the other system components will be produced at its Seward, Neb., and Elkhart, Ind., plants. Tenneco said final assembly of the exhaust system takes place at its Smithville, Tenn., plant.
Tenneco's global emissions technical centers in Edenkoben, Germany and Grass Lake, Mich., provided electric valve engineering and systems integration support for the project.
Lake Forest-based Tenneco is a global supplier to GM, providing both ride performance and clean air technologies for the company's passenger cars and light and medium-duty trucks.
Tenneco designs, manufactures and markets clean air and ride performance products and systems for automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment markets and the aftermarket under the principal brand names Monroe, Walker, XNOx and CleviteElastomer.
