Deliveries of the right-hand-drive C8 Corvette Stingray began in Australia and New Zealand last week following a lengthy two-year wait.
In a post shared to its social media accounts, General Motors Specialty Vehicles confirmed the first C8 Corvette Stingray models had been delivered to dealers and handed over to their lucky new owners. The post also included photos of the new owners behind the wheel, with the description saying the company loves “to see our customers’ smiling faces when receiving their keys” to the mid-engine sports car.
One of the first Australia/New Zealand dealerships to receive a C8 Corvette Stingray was Ferntree Gully GMSV in Victoria. The dealer shared a photo of the vehicle to its Facebook page last week, which appears to be finished in the Red Mist Tintcoat exterior color. The customer, Paul, arrived at the dealership with his daughter to pick up the vehicle. GMSV also shared photos of an Arctic White example and an Accelerate Yellow example in two separate showrooms, although it did not say which dealerships received these particular vehicles.
Production of right-hand-drive 2022 Corvette models for Australia and New Zealand began at the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky back in September. Pricing for the C8 Corvette Stingray in both countries starts at $160,500 AUD in Australia and $169,990 NZD in New Zealand. The C8 Corvette Convertible will also be offered in the country, carrying a $15,000 price premium over the regular coupe model.
Like U.S.-spec vehicles, right-hand-drive 2022 Corvette models are equipped with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine, rated at 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the rear wheels.
Looking ahead, Australian and New Zealand GMSV fans will also have the opportunity to purchase the new C8 Corvette Z06 locally in a right-hand-drive layout. More details on the availability of the C8 Corvette Z06 in these countries are expected to be announced sometime later this year.
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Comments
Good for them finally getting the new C8 they have been waiting for. You know they will be the center attraction down under. Their faces will hurt every night from the giant smiles on their faces! Tomg
OMG – That front license plate mount is a real eye sore
Not an option in any state, but the slimline plate is a much better style for the corvette.
Yeah. Front license plates are required in more than half of the US states. Funny though, many in those states tend to go without unless they get cited. Most often these are Corvettes, Porsches, BMW, Lambo, Ferrari, etc. Some are luckier than others but the fine isn’t that steep. If one didn’t take heed though and got cited again I suspect it’d be a lot worse. I also suspect some states are tougher than others, but one thing to consider is if you decide not to comply- is that if the police want a reason to pull you over – there it is.
@JRF: I believe that the USA is the only country in the world which allows cars to drive on public roads without a licence plate in front.
Very strange…
I insisted on option VKF for $15 on my california C8. I have gotten tickets for not having a front plate in the past.
and I did not want to give them an easy reason to pull over a Torch Red corvette.
It looks nice and I like it, I still have the original cover for that spot and for a car show can put it back if I want.
I did cover the front plate with paint protection though, 100mph wears the paint off that plate in no time!
Oh, you gotta really check the order form, dealers forget the VKF plate mount very easily.
Worse, methinks, are Alfa Romeo where the front licence plate is to be mounted left of the iconic triangle grille.
On this one must know that the licence plates in Italy, at least for the front, are much smaller than in other countries.
We can’t hardly get them in the USA and Australia is getting them???? Money talks!!!!
Uh, we live in a global economic environment.
Only 250 cars total for the 2022 year
One and a half shifts at the plant
Very happy to see my fellow Australians get their New Corvettes. It would be great if GMSV Australia could consider bringing out a RHD version of the CT-V Blackwing. They would sell more of these. Put it on Australian Racetracks, see what happens.
Its a petty if your name is not the principles dealers list you will never get one .
What about deliveries to other left driving (and right steering) countries like Japan or the country UKoGBaNI?
Japan & UK already have their first delivery’s
There is an article here in GMA about japan selling out their order books within hours of release.
As for other RHD countries, if an individual wants one, just import it from one of the four prime markets.