The European Corvette C8 is coming out very soon, most specifically the RHD model for the UK and Ireland. There have been reports it will have a 30hp to 35hp deficit compared to the North American model. This is due to emissions regulations, which are all very strict in Europe. Nevertheless, the European C8 is reported to have a 0-60 time of around 3.5 seconds, which is still very fast indeed. In fact, if you want that sort of acceleration from a 911, then you will have to pay so much more in comparison to the base price of a new C8.
That brings me to one of the biggest reasons why the C8 Corvette is a major threat to the 911. Pricing. A new Corvette will set you back around £80,000 to £83,000. As standard, you get the better Z51 pack with better brakes, suspension, and cosmetic features. To get a 911 that has similar power and performance, then you will need at least £100,000. That is pretty much, a £20,000 increase in comparison to the Corvette.
If you want a Porsche at C8 money, then you’re looking at the base Carrera. A great car no doubts about that at all. It’s built better than the Chevrolet, it has better brand value and it is classier. But ultimately it is less powerful and less well equipped. A base C8 Corvette in the US starts at just under $60,000 whilst a base 911 starts at just under $100,000, Almost double then.
Europeans for years have known that the Corvette is a cheaper but more powerful car than the 911. Yet the reason they buy the 911 instead is that it is so much more refined. It handles better, it’s nicer to drive, it’s built better and overall it is better. However, can these points really be said about the new C8 in comparison to the new 992 911?
The Corvette is no longer a poser-type car. Things have become so much more serious nowadays, and the latest C8 generation is finally a full-on rival to the 911. The mid-engined layout means it handles so much better than ever before and the big 6.2 liter V8 ensures that this car has enough power. How about the refinement though? Well, the interior looks and feels far nicer and the car is overall so much more comfortable. Build quality has definitely increased. It isn’t on par with Porsche at all, but it is far better than it was before.
The main party piece about the Corvette, which used to be its main selling trick, is the looks. The new C8 Corvette is by far the best-looking Corvette of the modern era. The C7 was nice, but this blows that out of the window. At every angle, it looks aggressive. Despite the engine location changing though, the car still looks like a Corvette. The front still looks as aggressive as ever before, and in some areas, you can see the classic Corvette Sting Ray design influences.
Picture via: motor1.com
Why The Sports Car Market Needs a Shake-Up
It sounds completely stupid to say that the sports car market has become boring nowadays. However, if you have a look at most sports cars you see that most of them offer the same sort of performance and the same sort offerings in terms of interior, exterior, looks, etc. The 911 has been the top dog of the sports car industry for years. It is the car many enthusiasts dream to own.
Then there is the Nissan GTR, another great car. You also have the Jaguar F-Type, the Mercedes AMG GT, and the Audi R8. All great cars, no doubt about that. However, these cars have all been around for years. We’ve seen them and have gotten used to them. In fact, some people like myself are bored of them all and it is time that something else comes along and really shakes up the market.
This is what the C8 Corvette will be. That change. That shake-up. It is one of the cheaper options, yet it’s one of the faster better-looking options. It looks like a bedroom wall supercar in my opinion, and it just has so much more drama in comparison to its rivals. The big 6.2 V8 is a laugh too, and it sounds crazy.
In America, the C8 has already caused a stir in the industry. In fact, it is so popular and there is such a long list of orders that resellers are managing to sell this car at double or even triple the MSRP. It has had a few recalls here and there, but you have to remember that this is a new car. The RHD model may initially have recalls, but after a few years or so it will have been almost perfected by Chevrolet.
For years, the Europeans have laughed at the Corvette. But tell you what, they’re certainly not laughing now especially when this car provides so much more value for money.
Why The World Needs an RHD Corvette
The world needs an RHD Corvette. It is an iconic car, and it is about time that the RHD markets got to enjoy it properly too. A few years ago we had the RHD Mustang come through, and that was a really smart idea by Ford since it has been a great seller in countries like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The Mustang was an icon, and Ford realized they needed an RHD model.
The new C8 RHD Corvette will be a turning point for Chevrolet, especially in the UK. Previously, Chevrolet used to sell rebadged Korean Daewoo models mostly in the UK and Europe. They did sell a few Camaro’s and Corvette’s prior, but it was nothing major at all. The new C8 is sure to be a turning point for Chevrolet in Europe and the UK and it could become like a “halo” car for the brand in that they can start to introduce other models such as the Blazer into the UK and Europe if the Corvette succeeds.
The original Corvette was offered in RHD form for a short period of time. However, it was soon killed off in around 1963 since then, every Corvette has been strictly LHD from the factory. That’s mainly down to demand in RHD areas for these cars previously was low. The reason why, because previous Corvette models were terrible in comparison to what Europe offers. Don’t forget, the Corvette in Europe is so much more expensive. The new C8 justifies its price tag very nicely, and it is a car Porsche should be worried about, especially when the C8 is attracting many wealthy buyers.