A Fully Loaded UK-Spec C8 Chevrolet Corvette Costs The Same As A Base 911

Pricing for UK-bound, right-hand drive Corvettes have been announced, and while they work out a lot more than they cost in the USA, the value is still incredible

Matt Robinson

03 Jun 2020

A Fully Loaded UK-Spec C8 Chevrolet Corvette Costs The Same As A Base 911

Praise be to the gods of horsepower - the C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is coming to the UK in right-hand drive. We’ve known that for a while, but now, the big question mark over price has finally been dealt with.

Chevrolet Europe has confirmed that the Launch Edition will be £81,700 as a coupe, or £87,110 as a cabriolet. This might seem like a lot when the starting price for the mid-engined ‘Vette in the USA is $59,995 (just under £48,000), but it’s still remarkable value.

The UK C8 coupe and drop-top are slightly cheaper than a Porsche 911 Carrera and the 911 Carrera cabriolet in their base specs. No 992 Carrera is going to go for its £82,795 starting price - not once the options list has been perused. The Launch Ed. C8s, on the other hand, come in the top-spec 3LT trim, which means you get Magnetic Ride Control as standard.

Even the eventual base-spec European Corvette will be well specced, with the 2LT trim grade - featuring the Performance Data Logger, a head-up display, 14-speaker Bose audio system among other things - and the Z51 Package as standard. The latter provides the C8 with bigger Brembo brakes, an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, a performance exhaust, aero bits and pieces, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S boots.

Most importantly, you’re getting a couple of extra cylinders relative to the Porsche, and a pleasing absence of turbochargers. Mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the ‘LT2’ naturally-aspirated, pushrod V8 develops 488bhp and 470lb ft. This allows for the 0-60mph sprint to be done and dusted in just 2.9 seconds.

The only trouble is, we’ll have to wait a little longer for the car to land on our shores - Chevrolet says the C8 Stingray won’t arrive at European dealers until the latter half of 2021.

So for now, we ask you: 911 or Corvette?

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

Bruhh UK needs to get their cars prices right… What’s with all the excessive excise duty tax anyway? Singaporeans and Malaysians have this exact problem as well. Where the monies gone to? The Minister’s pockets as always 🙈💵

1) UK prices DO include tax, delivery, registration etc.
2) US prices DO NOT include tax, delivery, registration etc.
3) This launch edition Corvette is the 3LT trim, which is the highest trim available in the USA.
4) This means the base 1LT trim will be much cheaper, probably closer to Supra and F-Type money.

Factoring all that in, the car isn’t that much different in price in real terms. This isn’t like Singapore where the tax on a car costs almost as much as the car itself.

I’d rather have a well-put together sports car that’s available with a manual and is reliable.
So 911.
I don’t care what Chevrolet make, their cars have been consistently shit for the last 40-50 years