2021 Corvette’s Z51 Option Sees a 20% Price Increase

We weren’t expecting many changes for the 2021 Corvette.

Automotive journalists were in almost universal agreement when they lavished praise upon the 2020 C8 Corvette. Despite a starting price under $60,000, the 2020 Corvette offers world-beating performance.

In particular, most pointed out that the $5,000 Z51 Performance Package represented an unusually good bargain. According to GM Authority, that’s going to change a little bit, as the price of the Z51 Performance package goes up nearly 20% for the 2021 model year.

There’s no change to the equipment included with the package. The 2021 Corvette’s Z51 Performance Package still includes a upgraded suspension, exhaust, cooling system, and tires. Z51 buyers also get a unique front and rear spoiler, as well as a more aggressive rear axle ratio and an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD).

Still a Great Deal

Next year, that package will cost you $5,995, a $995 increase over the 2020 price. Still, it’s a great bargain, and a must-have for Corvette owners who demand peak performance both on and off the race track.

When we wrote our comprehensive review of the history of the Z51 Performance Package, we covered the package’s history from its inception in 1984 through to today. Even accounting for inflation, the 2020 Corvette’s Z51 Performance Package is by far the most expensive ever. However, this current iteration of the Z51 package is far more comprehensive than ever before.

There’s another Z51-related change for 2021. The FE2 suspension option — Magnetic Selective Ride Control — required the Z51 package as a prerequisite for 2020 Corvettes. That requirement has been deleted for the 2021 model year, meaning that you can order MSRC on any Corvette regardless of other options.

Other changes include a new interior color combination, Sky Cool Gray with Strike Yellow accents. That interior color combination will only be available on 3LT trim level cars with GT2 bucket seats or Competition bucket seats. There’s no doubt that this option was inspired by the success of the Corvette Racing team and their C8.R.

We’ve also lost two exterior colors, Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat and Blade Silver Metallic. Those two colors have been replaced by similar shades named Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat and Silver Flare Metallic. The full-length racing stripes are also available in four new colors.

Photos: Derin Richardson & GM 

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