GMSV braces for Chevrolet Corvette's arrival

General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has confirmed the Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray will hit Australian dealerships from mid-January, with the allocation of variants locked in and already spoken for.

Speaking to WhichCar at a brand event in Melbourne, GMSV director Joanne Stogiannis said production right-hand drive C8 Corvettes are en-route from Chevrolet’s Bowling Green factory in Kentucky.

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Stogiannis says allocation will be shared as equal and fair as possible across Australia and New Zealand, with each GMSV dealer within a 64-strong network receiving three coupes and one convertible.

GMSV has even prescribed the variant mix for dealerships, with each set of three coupes to have one variant in 2LT trim, another in 3LT and a range-topping Carbon Edition version – which is a one-time limited special.

After this, GMSV implies there won’t be any shortage of demand, with relinquished orders quickly replaced by other customers on waiting lists.

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The news bolsters anticipation for the eagerly awaited super sportscar, which heralds many firsts in Australia. It’ll be the first new vehicle to be introduced under the new GM subsidiary brand, the first Corvette ever sold here and the first mid-engine generation of the model.

Prices kick off at $144,900 RRP for the Stingray 2LT Coupe, rising to $160,500 for the 3LT and then $189,990 for the Carbon Edition. Convertibles (of the former two trims levels) cost another $15,000. However, as we’ve previously reported, buyers might pay much more in total once drive-away costs are factored in.

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All Corvettes will have a Z51 performance package, Magneride dampers and a front-lift system fitted as standard. Although active radar safety systems such as AEB and adaptive cruise are questionably absent from international spec lists, and we expect the same will be replicated here.

Finally, GMSV has also re-confirmed a right-hand drive Z06 version of the C8 will be coming to Australia, with more details to be announced mid-way through 2022.