Yesterday evening, Chevrolet ushered in the mid-engine 2020 C8 Corvette Stingray after years of anticipation. Yet, there’s good news for Corvette fans abroad, too. The mid-engine Corvette will be produced in right-hand drive.
That will make the eighth-generation Corvette the first generation to support right-hand drive from the factory. It also properly opens the sports car up to markets such as the United Kingdom and Australia. Chevrolet has sold Corvettes in the UK in the past, but without right-hand drive, they were hardly a top seller.
The news came directly from Holden’s social media channels. In a Facebook post, GM’s Australian subsidiary said “The Corvette is coming in right-hand drive. It’s a mid-engine masterpiece.” It also puts an end to rumors that the Corvette would be sold in Australia from the factory for the eighth generation. GM had been busy working to register names and badges locally. There was a particularly interesting intellectual property fight over the use of Corvette’s dual-flag emblem.
We don’t have full details on what buyers in the UK and Australia can expect, but it should be a bargain compared to other mid-engine sports cars. GM confirmed in yesterday’s debut presentation the 2020 C8 Corvette Stingray will cost under $60,000 to start. Don’t expect the car seen in these photos to represent that car, however.
Australian magazine Wheels reported after it called up an HSV dealer that deposits for the car in Australia cost $2,000. It appears no dealer was on the same page yet, though, with various prices tossed out over the phone ranging from $170,000 to $280,000 AUD. That’s about $120,000 to $197,000 USD at current exchange rates. We’ll need to wait for official prices.
As for when the car will make its right-hand drive debut, one dealer said to keep an eye on the Bathurst race this October in Australia. We could see the car make a local debut there and receive a lot more information.
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Source: Wheels
Comments
It’s pretty easy to do when there is no engine up front.
Getting the steering shaft past the engine and mounting the steering box is easy when compared to the dash asm, hvac and many other more complex parts need modifying.
I worked this job in the early 80’s the dash was the hardest part.
Since time immemorial, it has been pretty easy for automakers around the globe to build cars in both RHD and LHD, except for those in the United States.
Being available from the factory with both right hand steering (LHD) and left hand drive (LHD) is not only the very first for a Corvette, but probably also the very first for any car ever developed in GM’s Warren development center.
I hope for GM that the Corvette does not remain the only one.
C7 is now useless. they will be dumped like crazy.
People that make comments as yours usually are immature, never have owned a Vette and never will!
There are thousands of idiots showing their stupidity, most here that know nothing about Chevys. Obviously they are fans of POS Toyotas
Well C7 models will not be dumped but the market will be right to make it easy to find a low mile model at a very good price just as the C6 and C5 models have done.
There are some very good cars out there for some very good prices.
The real possibility for those who could not foot the price of a new C7 will find a used one they can afford.
To be honest this is part of a Corvette that makes it appealing to many as nearly everyone can find one they like and afford.
If you can afford a Porsche or Ferrari often it is not one you would want or in a condition you would accept.
Loved playing with the configuration page,
I can only hope Holden will let us order from the options list without insisting everyone has to have a black (puke) interior to minimise cost.
More than happy to wait a few months for a custom order car, instead of settling on holdens only available option.
I hear ya. The zb commodore and Acadia look so much better in the lighter trims from other markets. I would prefer at least the option, even if it means waiting a bit.
But why did GM not annonce this temselves on the presentation of the new generation Corvette?
I think I’ll wait till seeing one rolling out the GM factory with right hand drive befor I believe it.
Would the RHD be produced in the US or Aus? I’m moving back to New Zealand in about a year but hope to have the C8 before I move. If I could purchase a RHD prior, it would save a ton on duty taxes plus the looks in the states having a a right hook c8 would be priceless.