The seemingly cursed mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette, aka the C8, probably spends its nights dreaming of clear skies and a vaccine. Early development problems, a lengthy strike, a deferred production start, then a pandemic-prompted production shutdown all conspired to make for a hellish entry into the world for the new-generation 2020 ‘Vette.
For 2021, the entry-level Stingray model doesn’t try anything wild, maintaining its entry price while adding a few things buyers might like… and one thing no one asked for.
On Wednesday, General Motors confirmed an earlier report as to the Stingray’s price. The coupe stays at its 2020 MSRP of $59,995 (including destination), while the convertible starts at $67,495.
That drop-top was missing in action earlier this year as GM’s Bowling Green assembly plant struggled to fill orders of the coupe. Ultimately, it couldn’t fill them all. The two-month production shutdown and phased restart meant that, as of the middle of June, the plant was still operating on a single shift, with a company spokesperson admitting that many 2020 orders would have to be rolled over into 2021.
Chevy managed to build and deliver 2,459 C8s in the second quarter of 2020 — a 57-percent drop from the same period a year prior.
For 2021, the volume Stingray adds changes mostly in the paint department, though the optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension can now be had without ordering the Z51 Performance Package. Occupants will discover standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, though some drivers might come to the sudden realization that they can’t shift out of park when unbuckled — the defining feature of GM’s Buckle To Drive system.
As well, there’s a new track digital tachometer and a Driver mode on-screen visualization.
Elsewhere, buyers gain the option of a Sky Cool Gray/Yellow Strike interior color, plus the addition of Silver Flair Metallic and Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat to the paint roster. For ’21, the Stingray also adds a full-length dual racing stripe package (blue, orange, red, and yellow), plus the availability of a Stinger stripe in the following combinations: Carbon Flash/Edge Red, Carbon Flash/Edge Yellow, and Carbon Flash/Midnight Silver.
Powertrain-wise, nothing changes. The Stingray’s beating heart remains a 6.2-liter LT2 V8, paired with a standard eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
[Images: General Motors]
C8.R wins at Daytona, earns 100th IMSA win for Corvette Racing So maybe things are looking up?
Shocked they are not trying to cash in on demand vs supply. I fully assumed given the car’s reception that ’21 would see a price increase. Good on GM, but their hand was kind of forced since they never built all the ’20 they had orders for. Its not like they could suddenly charge people more for a car they never got out the door.
Now if its anything like my C7 the new dash display will not be offered to the first year cars. This is one of things I don’t like about how GM treated C7 owners – as the years went on various software updates (many related to the GUI) were not available to older vehicles. Its really silly since no hardware was involved, but apparently regression testing is not in the budget. The only thing that was backwards compatible was the mag-ride suspension update… and they charged $350 for it. Personally I think it should have been free, but at least it was available for all C7s regardless of year.
JM, I received the updated NAV software when they replaced my HMI unit. So there’s that. But I agree it would have been nice to upgrade the display software with the newer options. I can’t really believe that would require hardware replacement unless there is no means to reprogram the hardware…even then I’d like to see a module available for purchase.
“Buckle To Drive ” Something gratuitous for those of us who would wear a seat belt even if there was no law mandating seat belt use. And, another interlock to defeat for those who don’t want to use a belt. Personally, I think not using seat belts is nuts, but I’d also like to be able to move the car 5′ in the driveway without putting the belt on…
I made a few bucks back in the day disconnecting the mandated seat belt / starter interlock. On the GMs it was a single connector. Of course in the 70s, seat belt usage was much less common.
Then unleaded fuels hit and we learned how to dump the cat conv pellets and built a tool to expand the fuel filler neck to accommodate the cheap stuff. Which was only about 5 cents a gallon IIRC but sometimes much more difficult to find, especially during shortage times.
The aftermarket came up with the CAGS eliminator for GM’s 1st to 4th enforced shift so I assume this silly seat belt thing will have a similar fix. I too don’t need my seat belt for moving the car in the driveway. The lack of a manual in the C8 allowed this, so chalk up another downside of having nothing but automatic transmissions these days.
See my comment below.
I hope I’m correct because not only would I as an owner be up in arms about having to buckle up to move the car two feet, but I’m sure that service people at the dealerships would be pi$$ed, as well!
This. Sometimes I just need to put it in the garage after sweeping and that does not require a seat belt.
Our van leave the parking brake on if you don’t buckle, but I can release that easy enough.
“but I’d also like to be able to move the car 5′ in the driveway without putting the belt on…”
As long as it’s only initial driveoff, I can live with it in a low slung, big bolstered car like the Vette, which is too much of a pain to quickly jump back and forth in and out of, and is unlikely to be towing regardless.
I am assuming the engine won’t shut off if you put on a windbreaker in your ‘vert as it gets colder and rainier…
riding easy in my red C7 drop. just crossed 3,000 miles.
C8 is great but the difference today is I’m driving one rather than waiting.
I looked up the Buckle To Drive thing: apparently unlike what I assumed, it’s not 1974 all over again, and I wouldn’t have to buckle the belt to move a ‘Vette into a garage from the driveway!
Apparently that’s part of the Teen Driver feature! Why any sane individual would allow a newly-minted driver behind wheel of a new ’Vette is beyond the scope of this comment!
The Mustang better go electric or there will be scarcely a trait to recommend it…
I suppose we are different.
I, for one, don’t generally recommend being stranded halfway between Ely and Tonopah with a dead battery, 110 degree bone dry heat, no cell reception, dwindling water, and very few people passing through who aren’t going close enough to WOT to not even notice you sitting there on the side of the road mumbling about how fast a car like yours was when driven from 0 to 60 in a magazine somewhere…..