Chevy Debuts First RHD Corvette Overseas: (Torque Tuesday Presented by Continental ExtremeContact DWS^{06 Plus})

In a first for Corvette, customers across the pond can choose left- or right-hand-drive as a factory option. 

The quintessential American sports car has landed in Europe. Corvette has stirred up a lot of excitement with the game-changing mid-engined C8. Which is frustrating for Corvette fans abroad. Traditionally, customers can expect a long wait until a right-hand-drive conversion of an American vehicle is released. But now that is changing. For the first time in its 67-year history, Corvette is offering customers the choice to spec their 2021 C8 coupe or convertible with the steering wheel on the left or right side directly from the factory.

Chevrolet recently debuted the new RHD Corvette at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. The factory-built RHD ‘Vettes will be offered in the U.K., Japan, and Australia. And with a car as amazing as the C8 Corvette being offered fully loaded from Chevy, it will most definitely cause more than a little chaos in the European sports car market.

European Corvette vs. American Corvette

Not only is the Corvette coming with an arsenal of horsepower, it has unique options for Europe.

Unlike the US, every new Corvette Stingray model sold in Europe will come with the Z51 Performance Package as standard. This performance package includes manually adjustable threaded spring seats for the suspension, Brembo brakes with larger rotors and front air inlets for cooling, an electronic limited slip differential, a shorter axle ratio, a performance exhaust system, an aerodynamics package for reduced lift and improved stability.

European Corvettes also come with the 2LT trim standard. This includes additional features over the entry-level US model such as performance data recorder, head-up display, navigation system, 14-speaker Bose sound system, rear camera mirror, and heated and ventilated seats.

And the Launch Edition models will feature the 3LT trim, which is loaded. This adds more carbon styling elements on the spoiler, mirror, wheels and roof; as well as upgraded seats. Buyers can also choose a front suspension lift which boosts the car’s clearance 2-inches.

With 16 exterior and interior color combinations available, it is certainly a great looking fleet.

The 6.2-liter LT2 naturally aspirated V8 in the homologated European version features a gasoline particulate filter to comply with all emissions standards. But with 468 hp and 452 lb-ft of torque, this is still the C8 Corvette that makes hearts race.

One reason why European Corvettes have more is that they do cost more. As such, in the U.K. the base price is about $113,000.

It is a shrewd move by Chevy. For many years, acquiring a Corvette in Europe and the U.K. was not easy–and it was definitely not cheap. Added costs include dealer markups, RHD conversion, importing, and so on. This gave their Italian and German competitors a pretty sweet advantage. But with the playing field leveled a bit we’re likely to see the Corvette take a big bite of the action.

Given the excitement surrounding the debut–we think Corvette will see the respect and sales that often eluded them overseas. Corvettes will hit U.K. dealers in October.

Photos: Chevrolet Europe 

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