Corvette News Summary | August 2022
If you are a fan of C8 Z06s, then this edition of CNS will be right up your alley. Chevrolet has released a ton of information surrounding the availability, ordering, and constraints surrounding the 2023 C8 Z06. Let's dive right in!
GM Contemplating Production of Electric Corvette Sedans
Yes, you read that title right. While we are not too sure how to feel about this, the report comes from GM Authority, a reputable source we frequently use for the ACS Corvette New Summary!
In what might appear to be shocking news, GM Authority learned from their sources at General Motors that GM is contemplating the production of an electric Corvette Sedan. These cars are meant to rival the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S.
Though this move is surprising, it isn't the first time we hear electric car and GM in the same sentence. Earlier, in April, Chevrolet Corvette released a video titled, Electricfied of the C8-ERay, which will be ready for production in 2023, and set to be the first set of Chevrolet Corvette electric cars.
Source: GM Authority
2023 Corvette Z06 Price Increases Due To Gas Guzzler Tax Inclusion
On completion of the fuel economy testing set by the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, the Z06 has been assigned a gas guzzler tax, which starts from $2,600 for the base model and can go up to $3,000 for buyers that add T0F/T0G carbon fiber aero (which is required for the Z07 performance package) to their order.
This is set to increase the Z06 MSRP by an additional $2,600/$3,000, meaning the base Z06 price now starts from $108,995.
The Z06 won't be the first Corvette to be assigned a gas guzzler tax and probably won't be the last unless of course Chevy starts making all their high-performance Corvette electric.
This tax was first assigned to the 638-hp 2009 Corvette ZR1, then the automatic transmission models of the 2015 C7 Corvette Z06 and the 770-hp 2019 Corvette ZR1.
Source: Corvette Blogger
An Anniversary Z06 Gets TPW of September 19
Some good news for Corvette enthusiasts, GM will soon start considering and approving orders for non-anniversary Z06s and Z06s without custom VINs.
MidEngine Corvette Forum member, Calicargirl hit a double milestone in August. Her Z06 order reached 3000 status and got a TPW (Target Production Week) of September 19.
Only some anniversary Z06s with a custom VIN have reached the 3000 status. Once the anniversary Z06s with custom VIN orders are dealt with, the production of all other accepted orders will start.
Source: MidEngineCorvetteForum
Chevy Announces Constraints For The Z06
On August 11, Chevy sent out a two page dealer memo on the 2023 Corvette. This memo provided information about the constraints for the Stingray and Z06 ordering.
Unfortunately, it did not provide any information concerning the Z06 allocations as expected. However, we list the following constraints below:
C8 Stingray Constraints
- Z51 Performance Package
- FE2/FE4 Magnetic Ride Control
- 5ZZ/5ZU Carbon Flash/Body Color High Wing Spoiler
- RIA/PEF Floor Liners
- LT2 Stingray's RCC/RCD Edge Red and Sterling Silver Engine Covers
C8 Z06 Constraints
- Z07 Performance Package
- T0F/T0G Carbon Fiber Aero Package
No date has been provided by GM as to when these constraints will be lifted.
Source: CorvetteBlogger
Chevy Updates Z06 Order Guide: Carbon Fiber Wheels
In August, Chevy made some changes to the previously released Z06 order guide relating to the availability of the Carbon Fiber Wheels:
For 2023 Corvette Z06 models 1YH07 and 1YH67 available RPO's (ROY) carbon flash painted carbon fiber wheels, requires (J57) Ceramic Brake Rotors, not available with (T0G) carbon aero, visible, carbon fiber and (ROZ) carbon fiber, visible wheels requires (J57) ceramic brake rotors, not available with (T0F) carbon aero, carbon fiber, carbon flash-painted. Note: both (ROY) and (ROZ) no longer requires the Z07 Performance Package. Please refer to the vehicle order guide for further details.
This means the C8 Carbon fiber wheels (the visible Carbon fiber, and Carbon Flash Metallic), can be ordered without having to order the Z07 performance package, which is under constraint. They also clarify that if visible carbon fiber or carbon flash wheels are chosen, then your aeropackage must match this choice.
You can download the new Z06 order guide from CorvetteBlogger by clicking here.
Source: CorvetteBlogger
Emelia Hartford Receives First Press Z06 In North America
In a video posted on her channel on August 18, Emelia Hartford, whose twin-turbo 2020 C8 Stingray once held the record for the world's fastest C8 Corvette, took delivery of the first press 2023 C8 Corvette Z06 in North America and tried out the car.
Emelia gave viewers a good and long look at the anniversary Z06 HTC with a Z07 aero package, and finished in the stunning Carbon Flash Metallic Black finish.
It got interesting when she parked the Z06 side by side with her Stingray and compared both cars' front, side, and rear.
The Z06 looked way different from the Stingray with its wider width and aggressive look, which was described as "like a comic car" by a friend of Emilia at Hoonigan. He also described the Z06 high-pitched monstrous sound as more of that of a supercar which it is and nothing like the muscle car sound that most Corvette OGs are used to.
The pictures don't do it enough justice especially the sound, so check out the video below:
Chevy Releases 2023 Corvette Z06 Allocations For Dealers
In mid-August, GM sent out the 2023 Corvette Z06 allocation to Chevy dealers. This revealed the total national allocation for Z06 in the US to be 315, out of which 85 are aero cars.
GM also revealed that parts constraints are the reason why only 30% of the Z06s will be available for ordering with the z07 aero package.
C8 Z06 @ Corvettes at Carlisle
Here are the C8 Z06s that were on display during Corvettes at Carlisle last month!
Source: CorvetteBlogger
GM Set To Fix C8 Battery State
A battery problem was identified in some 2022 Corvette Stingrays. This issue caused an affected vehicle to show a low charge status warning, even when it has a full battery.
This issue, which affects only the 2022 Stingrays, is due to the underestimation of the 12V battery state of charge. This can hinder the alternator from entering fuel-saving mode and affect its fuel economy.
GM has begun to send an over-the-air system update to the affected vehicle to help reprogram it.
Source: GM Authority
2023 Z06 Production Limit
The news about the reduction in the production of Z06 was also confirmed by a news update on the MidEngine Corvette Forum blog, where we learned that only 10% of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvettes would be Z06.
This was seen on a screenshot from GM's dealership computer software, which can be seen below:
Let's hope those grey market prices for Z06s are not too outrageous!
2023 Corvette Z06 Production Constraint: Allocation Method
As the production constraints facing the 670-hp 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 due to plant restrictions have been confirmed, GM Authority learned how GM plans to allocate the C8 Z06 to Dealers.
GM will use the Historic Sales Volume model, based on 2020, 2021, and 2022 Corvette C8 Stingray 3LT sales volume, to allocate the Z06s.
That means if your dealership moved a lot of 3LTs, then they will receive a higher percentage of Z06s allocated to them.
This still leaves more questions, then answer in terms of exactly what those plant restrictions are.
Source: GM Authority
ACS Spotlight: Carlisle Edition
We are back from Carlisle, and boy was it busy! It was great to meet everyone that came out and saw us.
It was a long time coming as we had not attended for the last two events. It was good to be back out there installing on all your Corvettes. Here are some photos from the event!
