CONFIRMED: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2021 to launch in Australia next year under new GMSV brand

The on-again, off-again Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has at last been confirmed for Australia, with the fire-breathing muscle car to land next year in right-hand drive under the just-formed GMSV brand.

That’s the word from GM, with the brand at last confirming the long-awaited muscle car will get a local launch after all.

Holden had already confirmed the Corvette for our market, but GM’s decision to shutter the iconic brand here threw those launch plans into question. Neither Holden nor GM has been willing or able to confirm right-hand-drive production for our market until today.

In other words, get excited, because the Corvette’s numbers are genuinely hard to believe. In base spec, the mid-engine C8 will scream to a staggering 312km/h, thanks to its hard-charging 6.2-litre LT2 V8 engine, good for a signifiicant 370kW of power and 640Nm of torque, which is shuffled through and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The Corvette will form the key pillar in GM’s new GMSV strategy in Australia, which will essentially replace the HSV brand here. A number of existing Holden or HSV dealerships will be rebranded GMSV, with the Chevrolet Silverado – still converted locally by the team at Walkinshaw – and the Corvette to be the halo models.

“I am proud to be announcing GM Specialty Vehicles which represents an important new investment by GM in Australia,” says Interim Chairman and Managing Director of GM Holden, Kristian Aquilina. “This new venture directly adds sales, marketing and aftersales roles to GM’s 200-strong presence in Australia, and indirectly supports over 150 skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs at our partner in Victoria.

“The initial product line-up will feature the latest Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ, with other derivatives, including the Silverado 2500 and spectacular mid-engine Corvette anticipated to follow in 2021.”

It’s not yet clear what other models GM will consider for Australia, but it’s highly unlikely it will remain a two-model brand for long.