Completed production of the new Chevy Corvette C8 has been slightly on the rocky side since last year, as unforeseen events shut down facilities and had an effect on many deadlines for the worse. We have received some recent reports here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis that the Corvette Action Center has stabilized production, with two shifts operating full speed to churn out 186 cars per day on average, seeing higher results than last month.
Production of the 2021 model has been moved up significantly, and is now slated to begin December 8. This is nearly a month earlier than expected, and there is a chance that the 2020 and 2021 models may be produced side-by-side completing a lofty 20,000-unit production target for the outgoing model year. One good sign is that there is now a new configurator in place for the 2021 Corvette, allowing users to piece together their dream model. There will be two new exterior colors in the lineup, as well as new stripe options. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a new interior color scheme, and magnetorheological dampers are now available as a standalone option.
Those who put in orders for the 2021 model may be able to get them out on the pavement a bit earlier than expected, and in some cases maybe even before Christmas. This news should be enough to keep fans of the new C8 perked-up on holiday cheer and present itself as a gift well worth waiting for. As your mind also drifts to mistletoe and stocking stuffers, horsepower and torque will also be taking front and center: the Corvette heftily earned a “10Best” award for 2020, and the 2021 model offers up the same stellar performance, the burly 490-horsepower V8, and an affordable entry-level price.
Multiple reviews of the C8 have given praise to Chevy's engineers for making the ride appropriate for daily commuting, yet set to absolutely blaze on the track courtesy of the Z51 Package. This addition provides the goodies of an electronic limited-slip rear differential, more aggressive brakes, and summer tires. New for 2021 are also the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, added options for the digital gauge display, and the Buckle-to-Drive safety feature that prevents the transmission from leaving “park” until the seat belt has been buckled. The engine remains as the sinister and stately 6.2-liter V8, which makes 490 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.
Everything included in this long-awaited car is so far above and beyond ordinary: the driver sits behind a squared-off steering wheel and a 12.0-inch reconfigurable gauge display, with a quick glance providing a straight sightline to the touchscreen. Choosing the upgrade to the 3LT package adds striking carbon-fiber trim as well as sewn leather on most of the surfaces. Reaching 60 MPH in under three seconds and boasting a top speed of 194 mph, the incoming Corvette is a modern marvel of mid-engine-placed engineering, allowing for a driver-focused and “flat out astonishing for the money” value!