The Z51 Performance Package is among the most popular options available for the C8 Corvette Stingray and for good reason. This equipment group includes must-have options like a performance exhaust, electronic limited slip differential and Brembo brakes – all for the reasonable sum of $5,995.
During a recent sit down with GM Authority executive editor Alex Luft, Chevrolet’s director of car and crossover marketing, Tony Johnson, said more than 60 percent of all C8 Corvette orders include the Z51 Performance Package. That’s a very high take-rate for such a pricy option, but seeing as the Z51 package is required to extract every last bit of performance out of the C8 Corvette, we’re not the least bit surprised with its popularity.
Johnson’s intel lines up with the sales figures for the 2020 Corvette Stingray, as well. Chevy built 20,368 examples of the C8 Corvette for the 2020 model year, of which 15,476 came equipped with the Z51 Performance Package –Â equivalent to a take-rate of 75.9 percent.
As we reported previously, the Z51 Performance Package received a slight price hike for the 2021 model year that saw the price increase from $5,000 to $5,995. Despite the price change, it features all the same equipment as it did for the 2020 model year, which includes the following:
- Z51 performance suspension
- Performance exhaust
- Performance rear axle ratio
- Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD)
- Z51 rear spoiler
- Front splitter
- 245/35ZR19 front and 305/30ZR20 rear high-performance tires
- Heavy-duty cooling system
For 2021, the Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension (RPO code FE2) was made available as a standalone option across all trim levels for the C8 Corvette Stingray. In 2020, the FE2 suspension was only offered with the Z51 Performance Package. This decision could result in a lower take-rate for the Z51 Performance Package, as customers who only wanted the more sophisticated suspension setup can now order it without having to pay for items like the eLSD, performance exhaust and heavy-duty cooling system as well.
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Comments
With such a high take rate, would it be better to simplify the supply chain and assembly and build them all with the Z51package and raise the base price? I mean I have not seen anybody order the bare bones base model anyway.
Yes this should be the base suspension.
To be honest most of the GM line should drop the base lines as so few are ever sold and they really make little if any money.
Spark and trucks should offer base but everything else no less than a LT1.
Living in Phoenix, the heavy-duty cooling system is a great plus to the performance package…
I purchased my first corvette 2 years ago..a 2018 C7 as a CPO model. On my must have list was z51 with mag ride. However, even on Tour mode my 85 year old mothers find the car way to rough. So someone in their 80’s who just wants a sporty looking car with a smooth ride might go non z51 and mag ride. I would like to see the age breakdown of those who did not order z51.
My 2020 for which I paid a premium under the, “I want it now,” rule, came from someone else’s order. It came with the Z51 package. If I was going to pay a premium, I figured that I might as well have the Z51 package and then figure out later if I should have saved the money. I would not opt to go to the base. Everything about the Z51 is great for me and I am a grandfather three times over.
If you are not taking it to the track, it is a waste of money.
I ordered a 2LT, HTC with the lift and no Z51 option. I’m on my 16 th corvette and felt that I would never race the car and when I do I will be at the Ron Fellows driving school. The base has a summer tire, higher top end and I love the look without the rear spoiler. It’s always nice to have options but with the last two I did opt out of the Z51 and the Mag ride.
I have a 2LT/HTC/Front Lift/Magna-Ride. I don’t track – its a cruiser. I don’t regret one bit not having the Z51 package.
I traded my 2019 C7 for a Torch red 2020 2LT C8 not knowing that the C8 didn’t have the Z51 package. After driving it 600 miles, I realized my mistake–that it lacked the NPP valved exhaust, and I love noise. I traded for a 2020 Torch red 3LT with Z51. This is my 8th Corvette; I should have known better, but I had C8 fog in my eyes and ears. I’m 81. . .
You can get the LOUD sport exhaust without Z51
It’s not that loud! It’s not even as loud as the C7 which is a very slight disappointment. I can live with it!
Chevrolet needs to take note and then add the upcoming ZO6 drivetrain and call that the Grand Sport.
I hate the rear spoiler on the Z51 – it looks so tacked on and disrupts the design of the car. The rear end is already busy. For that reason I didn’t order the Z51. Also, with summer – only tires, you’d be required to buy another set of tires for anything but summer in more northern climates. So, the z51 ends up costing considerably more than the initial price you pay.
TOTALLY agree about the Z51 spoiler. Especially high end spoiler, makes car look like a model kit car. If you aren’t racing it, you do not need the spoiler.
As an impulse, I put my name on a list at a large Corvette dealer in September 2020. Took delivery early May 2021. By then I was not as excited about getting the car. However, after driving it a few hundred miles I really liked the car. I had an offer from someone to buy the car, and I let it go for a handsome profit. Put the profit towards a new Porsche 911.
In the northwest, it rains a lot. I opted out of the z51 because of the summer only tires. I’m not tracking or autocrossing. I did get the mag ride.
Yes, I got the mag ride, performance exhaust, and bought the z51 front splitter.
Many, many of these cars were ordered to be “flipped”, so naturally most of them are going to have more equipment , not less, including Z51.
when will you be able to order new zo6 or the cr8.