Back in April, GM Authority reported that the first batch of the right-hand-drive 2021 Corvette was on its way to Japan, where the high-performance sports car made its local debut early last year during the 2020 Tokyo Motor Show. Now, General Motors has just confirmed that the new 2021 Corvette has officially arrived in the Asian country.
The automaker introduced the new C8 Corvette in Japan through an online event for the first customers to receive the vehicle in the country, which was broadcast on Saturday, May 29th from the iconic Fuji Speedway racetrack. Five of the first RHD 2021 Corvette coupes races there, making their debut in Japan before hitting other major markets around the world.
The arrival of the C8 Corvette in Japan was initially scheduled for the beginning of May, as officially announced by GM for that country. However, the launch schedule was modified and deliveries were delayed a few weeks due to the emergency measures set in place by local authorities last month, as the country tries to contain a new wave of COVID-19 infections.
RHD 2021 Corvette Coupe
RHD 2021 Corvette Convertible
Saturday’s broadcast, which lasted approximately two hours, included a demo race at Fuji Speedway where five professional drivers pushed the world’s first mid-engined, right-hand-drive 2021 Corvette units to their limits. The drivers were then interviewed to share their experience behind the wheel. Additionally, the show also featured an exclusive interview with C8 Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter.
In Japan, the C8 Chevy Corvette lineup is comprised of three variants, the 2LT and 3LT trims for the Coupe as well as a single well-equipped trim for the Hardtop Convertible. All feature the 6.2L LT2 V8 engine with 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, paired with the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission available in other markets.
2021 Corvette in front of Mount Fuji
The new 2021 Corvette is available in limited quantities starting this month throughout the Chevrolet dealer network in Japan, where it’s offered with a high-level of standard equipment and several customization options. Among them are six paint colors and up to four interior combinations. Here are the suggested prices for the RHD C8 Corvette in the Japanese market:
- Corvette 2LT Coupe: 11,800,000 JPY (about $107,210 USD at the current exchange rate)
- Corvette 3LT Coupe: 14,000,000 JPY ($127,200 USD)
- Corvette Convertible: 15,500,000 JPY ($140,800 USD)
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Comments
At least they are RHD because it’s so dumb to offer LHD vehicles on RHD markets at the time when so many LHD markets don’t have a single dealer.
Sure would be nice if GM would take care of their American customers that have sold order’s in since last year, and were just told they will not be getting a car this year.
Now what about taking part in 6 hours of Fuji of wec for Japan debut.
I DO. NOT. CARE.
Screw Japan, where’s my car?
Yippy, can’t supply them here but be sure to send them to Japan, LOL, stop buying these cars, order should I say ordering them.
What about Blighty?