The 2023 Corvette Stingray will be the fourth model year for the latest eighth-generation Chevy Corvette C8, introducing only a few changes and updates as compared to the preceding 2022 model year. Now, however, GM Authority has learned that the 2023 Corvette will not offer the Engine Appearance Package at production start.
The full official name of the feature in question is the Engine Appearance and Lighting Package, tagged with RPO code ZZ3. The package includes Carbon Fiber trim for the engine bay, plus lights positioned around the engine bay to illuminate the mid-mounted, naturally aspirated engine. The package was offered for all trims of the Coupe body style, and was not available for the Convertible model. Pricing for the package was set at $995.
As GM Authority covered previously, the Engine Appearance and Lighting Package has been under constraint for the C8 Corvette Stingray since late in January of 2022 due to a supplier issue, which indicates that the package availability issues have been ongoing since late in production for the 2022 Corvette. It is unclear at this time if GM will move to a new supplier.
The 2023 Corvette is set to arrive later this spring. In addition to introducing the new Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition, the 2023 model year introduces the go-faster 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 as well.
As a reminder, the 2023 Corvette Stingray is once again equipped with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine, which is rated at 495 horsepower at 6,450 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 5,150 rpm when equipped with the optional performance exhaust system. Output is routed rearwards through the M1L 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Under the body panels, the 2023 Corvette rides on the GM Y2 platform. Production will take place exclusively at the GM Bowling Green assembly plant, located in Kentucky.
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Comments
I am now glad I removed that $995 package from the build. My 2021 came without it, but for $150 and a few hours time
I added the LED lights (2 of them) and the wire harness to light them and it looks great. The other part is 2 pieces that
cover part of the engine. The appearance package changed nothing about the engine itself .
In my opinion every car should have underhood lights, included at no charge.
Anyway, you really are not missing much. Unless you want to be missing $995.
Where did you find the LED lights? Can you send me think for the ones you used. Much appreciated.
There’s two issues with normal cars having underhood lights. First, they use mechanical tilt switches. They jam, especially when they get old, and especially in a hot high-vibration engine compartment environment. When they do, they drain your battery and leave you stranded. It’s pain to figure the cause since you have to get under the hood to check battery draw, so it ends up being a “does the fridge light turn off” issue. Trunk lights have the same issue.
They used to use mercury switches, which were far more reliable, but environmental issues and junkyard shredder contamination lead to them being banned. I think GM losing the lights was coincident with this.
Second, I learned not to buy a car with underhood lights since it seems that when they put them in, they get used frequently.
30 years down the road when collectors are trying to sort out the used C8’s it will be a challenge to figure
out what was or was not available when the supplier constraints of an unusual time in history created so many
variations in these cars.
Thank you J Lo!
This, package like many other options is overpriced for what it is. Had the carbon fiber “louvers” been made from a different material the price would likely have been more reasonable – and looked much the same. Nonetheless, over priced or not it does add a touch of fit and finish to the engine bay.
JR,
All carbon fiber is overpriced, it’s the nature of the animal. And I’m sure that they tossed the question up -as to whether it should be genuine, or faux at hundreds less, but decided on the exotic snob side -so that the purists would have one less thing to gripe about. In the end, it probably saved only a few ounces. But it is good bling though!
Appearance options always have a huge markup on any car. It gives the dealer wiggle room when you talk the price down, while not affecting the model’s advertised base price.
It was covered here a while ago: 4 decals for a Trailblazer list for $295.
Not available on the convertible, eh? Wonder why? Maybe it’s the 18 screws that hold the cover over the engine. I haven’t ever seen the engine in my C8 since I got it two years ago!
Who needs all that junk anyway? Get rid of the zoomy plastic cover while you’re at it and behold the purity of the underlying components unadorned.