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The all-new eighth-generation 2020 Chevrolet Corvette has been revealed, along with confirmation the car will be built in right-hand-drive for the first time and sold locally through Holden dealerships.

 

The new Corvette will give Holden a new performance hero as it looks to re-establish itself after years of decline. It should be noted, the Corvette will not be badged as a Holden, it will retain Chevrolet logos.

 

“Like anyone with a hint of petrol in their veins, we were glued to our screens watching the reveal of the new Corvette,” said Dave Buttner, Chairman and Managing Director of Holden.

 

“The news that Corvette will now be built in right-hand-drive for the first time ever – and will be exported to Australia – is hugely exciting for our team at Holden and any Australian who loves high-performance cars.”

 

“With our long history in motor-racing, performance vehicles are an indelible part of the Holden brand. Our team is totally revved up to build on Holden’s performance legacy with the most technologically advanced Corvette ever built.”

 

“We look forward to taking on the European and Japanese performance vehicles with some highly sophisticated American muscle” he added.

 

Unveiled in Stingray form, the new Corvette is mid-engined with a 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 positioned behind the cockpit. It develops 370kW of power and 637Nm of torque. A new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the rear wheels.

 

When equipped with the Z51 Performance Package, GM claims the new Corvette can sprint from 0-60 (0-96km/h) in approximately three seconds.

 

The new Corvette has been engineered for comfortable long-range cruising and on-track handling prowess. The light, but rigid underpinnings are said to provide more lateral grip while lowering vibrations at high speeds.

 

Underneath, the Corvette features coil-over dampers and an updated electronic steering system.

 

In terms of styling, it’s Corvette DNA is immediately recognisable, Corvette signatures adapted to the car include a distinctive face, a classic horizontal crease, aggressive front fenders and familiar positioning of the dual-element headlamps.

 

Designers say “it is lean and muscular, with an athletic sculptural shape conveying a sense of motion and power from every angle.”

 

On the inside, occupants will get a racecar-like view of the road due to lower positioning of the hood, instrument panel and steering wheel. The new seating position places the car’s centre of gravity close to the driver’s inside hip, according to GM “the car literally turns around the driver.”

 

The cabin gets a minimalist layout with fully-digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment screen angled towards the driver.

 

For the Corvette to succeed in Australia, pricing will be the determining factor. In the land of the free, the Corvette will be priced from under US$60,000 which is just over $85,000 in Oz. With those figures to work on, the Corvette will easily eclipse $100K locally.

 

Production of the new Corvette is scheduled to begin at GM’s Bowling Green facility late in 2019. Holden is yet to confirm when the car will arrive locally, however, late 2020 is likely.