After receiving its first orders in the country earlier this year, General Motors just officially announced the all-new Chevrolet Corvette C8 in Japan. The company has finalized the local specifications and pricing of its new-generation high-performance sports car for Japan, where it will be available in the first half of 2021 with several distinctions for the Japanese market.
In addition to being the first mid-engined Corvette in the iconic nameplate’s history, the all-new Chevrolet Corvette C8 is also the first to be built in right-hand-drive configuration straight from the Bowling Green assembly plant in Kentucky. This variant, of which deliveries will begin next year, increases the international potential of the Corvette and allows for adequate marketing in important markets such as the UK, Australia and Japan.
As such, the initial lineup of the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette will consist of three variants in the Japanese market. The offering includes the 2LT and 3LT versions for the coupe, as well as a single trim for the convertible that will serve as the range-topping model. Notably, this is also the first hardtop convertible in Corvette history.
All Japanese versions of the Corvette C8 feature the same 6.2L LT2 V8 engine found in North American-spec models, which is good for 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque with the optional performance exhaust system. The car will also use the same eight-speed dual-clutch transmission available in all other markets.
In addition, GM confirmed that the new Corvette will be equipped as standard with the “Cloud Streaming Navi” navigation system developed exclusively for the Asian country. This local software allows autonomous navigation even in environments where GPS positioning is not possible, such as tunnels, and always transmits the most recent maps instead of requiring owners to manually update them.
The arrival of the all-new Chevrolet Corvette C8 in Japanese dealerships is scheduled for May 2021, when deliveries will begin to the hundreds of customers who have already reserved their unit. The three available variants include a high level of features and multiple customization options, along with six body colors and up to four different combinations for the interior. These are the suggested prices:
- Corvette Coupe 2LT: 11,800,000 JPY (about $111,499 USD at the current exchange rate)
- Corvette Coupe 3LT: 14,000,000 JPY ($132,289 USD)
- Corvette Convertible: 15,500,000 JPY ($146,459 USD)
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Comments
At least three major car culture centres are RHD. This will drive enthusiasm for the C8 so much more. Good job GM
Sooo, can’t fulfill orders here yet but we have a preorder list and future delivery dates for Japan?
GM released orders for right hand in January. I put down a deposit for a Z51 convertible in December 2019! I was informed I would have to reorder a 2021 in July. I wonder if GM will fulfill US orders with deposits before the right hand drives are available??
Put my deposit down last Nov for z51 lt2 that is continually being pared down by GM due to option cuts (spoiler, carbon package), maybe if I switch to right hand steering I might get mine sooner?
Why are you sending cars overseas when you haven’t even taken care of home yet GM. Never again will I get a GM car. This is America and it comes 1st!
Placed an order for a convertible February 2020 the dealership owner has kept in touch with me and I understand production has just begun on the drop tops no promise date yet so this is a little discouraging
One can already read what the Japanese may think of the Chevrolet C8 Corvette as being not very original as well as being too big, heavy and expensive.
I put the required $500.00 deposit down on my C8 July 17th 2019. I put an additional $5,000.00 down in Dec to get an order number & I’m still waiting on a delivery date. Maybe I should have gone to Japan to order it.
Understand your frustrations about foreign markets, but not so bright here in Australia either, as we paid a deposit last year and are yet to have confirmation that we will actually see the C8 here at all.