GMSV reveals C8 Corvette upgrades

GENERAL Motors Special Vehicles (GMSV) has announced details of updates and enhancements that will be incorporated in its forthcoming C8 Corvette range.

Due in Australia and New Zealand towards the end of the year, the MY23 Corvette will be available with features such as three new wheel options, black exhaust tips, a blackout interior trim and a bold Adrenaline Red “full dipped” interior option.

GMSV director Joanne Stogiannis said customers could change some of the options specified on their vehicles. They have a choice of exterior paint colours and decals, painted brake calipers, exhaust tip options, and seatbelt and upholstery colours.

“The response to the C8 Corvette has been unheralded, not just in Australia and New Zealand, but right around the world,” said Ms Stogiannis.

“This overwhelming international demand for the C8, along with the added complexity of being the first-ever factory manufactured right-hand drive Corvette model, meant we needed to pre-configure our launch allocation of customer vehicles.

“However, with our latest MY23 allocation, we are able to offer customers the ability to personalise their orders further, resulting in a more bespoke ordering process.

“Providing customers with an improved level of personalisation was a key focus for us, as well as news that we are providing smaller, more frequent dealer allocations at this time.

“This will mean there is greater visibility on production timing along with the opportunity for customers to personalise elements of their vehicle,” she said.

“[The] C8 Corvette elicits a huge amount of passion and excitement among owners and fans. It is a dramatic car, full of character and personality… Now, with the possibility of making changes to certain features, we are providing new owners with the opportunity to make their Corvette their own to a greater extent than has been possible before.

“We are proud to be able to deliver this change to our new C8 owners and am sure they will take pleasure in finessing some of the finer details relating to their new Corvette.”

GMSV has yet to advise pricing for the options listed above.

The Chevrolet Corvette is priced from $144,990 (plus on-road) costs, with mid-tier 3LT variants beginning at $165,000 (+ ORCs). Convertible variants attract a $15,000 premium.

The Stingray and Z06 are the first factory-built right-hand-drive Corvettes in the 68-year history of the brand. Regular Corvette variants are powered by a 6.2-litre V8 making 370kW/673Nm and drive the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

Australian models are also equipped with GM’s Z51 Performance Pack, which incorporates a bi-modal exhaust, magnetic ride-control suspension, Brembo brakes, electronically controlled LSD and additional aerodynamic features.

The hyper Z06 variant is also slated for Australian and New Zealand showrooms – it’s tipped to arrive at the same time as the MY23 C8 Corvette.

Speaking to GoAuto late last year, Ms Stogiannis said, “we will be in a position mid-next year (2022) to start updating plans with regard to the all-new 2023 Model Year Corvette Z06, also available for the first time ever as a factory manufactured right-hand-drive…

“But I’d say that your guess is a safe bet,” she said in response to the suggestion that the first shipment of Corvette Z06s would likely arrive in Australian dealerships by early 2023.

Watch this space!