Corvette News Summary | March 2022
CORVETTE NEWS SUMMARY | MARCH 2022
Update: August 2022 Corvette News Summary Now Available!
Not a day goes by in the Chevy world without something of magnitude happening. Since February, exciting and disappointing things have indeed happened, and we are glad we could bring you the latest about Chevy's activities. So without further ado, let us get to it!
Chevrolet Ready to Right Their Wrongs With C8 Corvette Z06 Engine
The LT6 engine powers the new C8 Corvette Z06, and it was showcased by GM at a recent event. It was compared to the LT4 engine found in the C7 Corvette Z06 and the Camaro ZL1 and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, which had some early issues (Remember those Z06s going into limp mode on the track!).
The event was meant to dispel the fear that a similar issue would occur in the new C8 Z06. The LT6 is comprised of two aluminum castings: one houses the oil scavenging system and lower crankcase, while the cylinders, water jackets, and upper crankcase are found in the adjacent casting.
In addition, the Z06 features a front grille radiator and an oil cooler compared to the C8 Stingray. They get new fans and compressors. More airflow to the central radiator when track driving. The LT6 has a larger A/C compressor and pulley than the LT2 in the Stingray.
Corvette's Small Blocks Lead Engineer, Jordan Lee, had this to say about the new C8 Z06 engine, "There is no special maintenance [...] change your oil and your filter, and change your spark plugs after 100,000 miles."
Let's hope that is true!
Source: Motortrend.com
2023 70th Anniversary Stingray Wheels and Black Exhaust Tips Revealed
We now have our first glimpse at the C8 Corvette Stingray with the 70th Anniversary Edition wheels from pictures taken by Jason, a member of the C8 Corvettes Owners Facebook Group. He took photos of a car trailer carrying these Corvettes with installed 2023 70th Anniversary Stingray Wheels and Black Exhaust Tips seen on its way to Milford.
According to Jason, these were VINs 001, 002, 003, and 004 that were spotted on the car carrier. Two of the C8s were sporting the Carbon Flash Metallic Black wheel and the others were in new White Pearl.
Bruce Wayne's Pristine Black 1963 Split-Window Corvette
If you are a fan of the Batman series, and a Classic black C2 split-window, then you would be excited to see that car appearing in the new Batman movie, The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz.
Bruce Wayne, played by Robert Pattinson, is seen pulling up to a funeral on a rainy day. The perfect overcast for such a car!
However, if you are planning ongoing to the theaters to just to see the split-window, then we will save you the hassle. At nearly, three (3) hours long, the movie features the car for a whole 10 seconds. Maybe wait for it to come out on your TV streaming services. The movie is excellent however!
2022 Corvette Production Came To A Halt
On the 21st of March, the Bowling Green Assembly Plant was shut down. However, seven days later production was back up a running. Mostly due to ongoing parts shortages from pressure sensors to the infamous High Wing, and Black Trident Wheels.
The main culprit appeared to be the Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC), which was put on constraint. However, at the time of writing this, the production and constraint have both been lifted, and everything appears to be running smoothly.
If you are thinking, what is going on with General Motors, then fear not as other major automotive manufacturers are also faced with these on-going production delays and parts shortages. Ford and Audi both announced they are seeing shortages and production hiccups across the board.
Source: GM Authority
2023 Corvette Stingray Pricing Announced In Canada
Fellow Canadians, the 2023 Corvette Stingray pricing was announced in March 2022, which is now starting at $73,998 which includes the two thousand dollar freight charge.
If you were looking to add the 70th Edition spec to your C8, then plan on adding an additional $7995 to that base price. For nearly $8k, here's what you would get with the milestone spec:
- 70th Edition badging.
- Edge Red brake calipers.
- 70th Edition logo on the seats, steering wheel, and door sills.
- Rear bumper protector and trunk cover.
- Custom luggage featuring the 70th Anniversary Edition Logo and custom red-stitching.
GM Canada also released pricing for the three new 20-inch wheels
- 20-inch Gloss Black wheels – C$1,295 (RPO Q9I)
- 20-inch Ultra Bright Machined – C$2,445 (RPO Q99)
- 20-inch Satin Black with Red Stripe – C$1,875 (RPO Q9A)
Source: GM Authority
2023 C8 Price Increase
Following the announcement of Canadian pricing, the base price of the C8 Corvette is seeing a lift in its price as well for the US market. I think we all know that that means the secondary market, while already red hot, will continue to burn hot into the near future. Here's a complete list of the new prices you can expect for each level. Note: these are base prices and do not include any options.
| Trim | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe 1LT | $61,900 |
| Coupe 2LT | $69,200 |
| Convertible 1LT | $69,400 |
| Coupe 3LT | $73,850 |
| Convertible 2LT | $76,200 |
| Convertible 3LT | $80,850 |
Unfortunately, GM has not graced us with their pricing for the Z06, yet. It looks like we will continue to wait until April since Z06 ordering will start then!
Source: Kelley Blue Book
5DF Black Wheels Discontinued
It appears that Corvette will be dropping the Gloss Black 5-Trident Wheels RPO code 5DF for 2023 ordering. They will be replacing these wheels with three other options which have not be seen yet. They are:
![C8 Corvette 5DF Gloss Black Trident Wheel [Discontinued]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1020/3561/files/23417380-1_1024x1024.jpg?v=1649202613)
- 20-spoke bright machined-face forged aluminum wheels (Q99)
- 20-spoke Carbon Flash-painted forged aluminum wheels with Red stripe (Q9A)
- 20-spoke Gloss Black forged aluminum wheels (Q9I)
Source: GM Authority
Say Goodbye to Sky Cool Gray/Strike Yellow Interiors
Also leaving the 2023 order books will be the Sky Cool Gray/Strike Yellow option. This does not mean Sky Cool Gray is going away altogether rather just this particular combination. No reason was cited by Chevrolet nor was a replacement mentioned for the Z06; however, this was an interior option that previously went on constraint.
One of our test mule C8 Corvettes in Sebring Orange has the Sky Cool Gray seats, and while it is a beautiful option that terrorizing thought enters your mind every time you jump in with clothes that might potentially stain or dirty the seats!
Source: GM Authority
New ACS Video: 1VM vs. 5VM Rocker
We recently dropped a new video on our YouTube channel! We made this video because a lot of new C8 Corvette owners are learning about modding their Corvettes for the first time and a question that comes up a lot is, "What is the difference between the ACS C8 1VM Rocker and the ACS C8 5VM Rocker.
We had Joseph go over the similarities (because there's not much difference!) between the two. You can watch the video below:
Customer Spotlight
We wanted to do something a little new with our Corvette News Summary by shining some light on our customers' builds! Brent sent us this picture of him and his wife outside the National Corvette Museum after taking delivery and having our parts installed on his C8 Corvette! What a great picture!
Brent's mod list includes the following:
All finished in the Carbon Flash Metallic Black paint. If you want your car featured on the next Corvette News Summary, then send us your pictures.
Also, if you are looking to take delivery of your Corvette at the NCM, then contact Shane Webb at the museum to have it arranged so we can send him parts to have installed on your Corvette or just reach out to us at order@acscomposite.com!
Conclusion
That caps off the March edition of the CNS! You are now armed with an arsenal of Corvette news that will make you the beacon of Corvette knowledge at your next Corvettes and Coffee! We are excited for what April has in store for us especially those of you that get your hands on the 70th Anniversary. For a lot of us on the Eastern/Northern parts of the country that means taking our Corvettes out for the first time this year!
Be cautious on those roads with all that gravel and sand still lingering around from the winter months. Make sure your C7 or C8 is properly equipped with a set of Rock Guards to ensure that your paint will be free from paint chipping! You can check out our C7 Corvette Rock Guards or our C8 Corvette Rock Guards to help preventing rocks from hitting your Corvette's paint.
Let's have fun on the road, and we will keep watching and collecting headlines for you.