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A blue 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray races around a desert racetrack

Buying a 2021 Chevy Corvette C8 Outside of the U.S. Will Make Your Wallet Cry

When the mid-engined Chevy Corvette C8 arrived back in 2019, it immediately became a sports car bargain. Aside from offering up to 495 hp, the Corvette could reach 60 mph in as little as 2.8 seconds. To sweeten the deal, Chevy kept the all-new model’s base price under $60,000. However, a new report by WhichCar …

When the mid-engined Chevy Corvette C8 arrived back in 2019, it immediately became a sports car bargain. Aside from offering up to 495 hp, the Corvette could reach 60 mph in as little as 2.8 seconds. To sweeten the deal, Chevy kept the all-new model’s base price under $60,000. However, a new report by WhichCar reported by CarBuzz shows that the C8 carries a significant premium outside of the U.S. market.

A 2021 Chevy Corvette C8 will run you at least $113,500 in Australia

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray driving down the Las Vegas strip
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray | Chevrolet

Producing the 2021 Chevy Corvette C8 has been nothing short of a nightmare for GM. From initial setbacks due to the UAW strikes to the arrival of COVID-19, the C8 is off to a slow start. However, as we get closer to 2021, the mid-engined sports car begins to make its way into other countries. A new report by WhichCar tells us exactly how much the Corvette costs in Australia. The base price is listed at $149,990 AUD. Convert that, and you get a base price of around $113,500 USD, says CarBuzz.

This means that a base Chevy Corvette C8 in Australia is almost twice as expensive as in the U.S. WhichCar reports that the C8 was supposed to start at around $129,990 AUD, or around $98,700 USD. However, CarBuzz reports that strong demand resulted in a price increase. What makes this particular C8 unique is that it is the only factory-made right-hand-drive vehicle GM currently exports to Australia, says CarBuzz.

To make matters worse, WhichCar reports that there is only a small batch of Chevy Corvette C8’s headed to Australia. The total count reportedly hovers around 200 cars or so. Additionally, these vehicles in transit are highly-specced cars. As a result, the estimated price is set to be somewhere around $200,000 AUD. Convert this, and you get a C8 that costs around $151,000.

How much does the C8 cost in the U.S.?

If you are lucky enough to live in the U.S., your Chevy Corvette C8 buying experience could be fairly different. In the U.S., the C8 carries a base price of just shy of $60,000. For this, you still get a sports car that can reach 60 mph in under three seconds.

You’ve got just three C8 trim levels to choose from, the 1LT for $59,995, the 2LT for $67,295, and the 3LT for $71,945. In terms of package options, you don’t have many options. The first and most likely to be optioned is the Z51 Performance Package for $5,995. The Z51 gives you a re-tuned suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, and a performance exhaust, to name a few. You’ll want this optional package if you want the max hp figure out of the C8.

You can also option your Chevy Corvette C8 with the Engine Appearance Package for $995. For this, you get carbon fiber panels surrounding the engine and LED lighting. Add on all of the available visual extras, and you’re left with a C8 that tops out around $95,000 says, Automobile Magazine. This means that even the most expensive C8 in the U.S. doesn’t even come close to Australia’s base model.

When will the C8 be readily available?

Mark Reuss, president of General Motors Company, unveils the 2020 Chevy C8 Corvette Stingray
The 2020 Chevy C8 Corvette Stingray | Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

As of a few weeks ago, GM’s factory was still struggling to produce the Chevy Corvette C8 due to COVID-19. This means the factory is still undergoing shutdowns as cases continue to rise. As of April of this year, GM had only managed to produce 2,695 C8 models. Factor in the continuous delays, and these somewhat affordable sports cars are still quite hard to come by. As a result, it may be quite a while before you can walk into a dealership and walk out with a brand-new C8.

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