Chevrolet Corvette Australian price and details revealed

The legendary American nameplate is about to hit Aussie roads, bringing supercar-rivalling performance at a fraction of the cost.

Aussies are about to get a taste of some real American muscle.

Australian outfit General Motors Special Vehicles (GMSV), which emerged from high-performance Commodore tuner HSV, will launch the Chevrolet Corvette Down Under later this year.

GMSV has confirmed the Corvette coupe will go on sale locally at the end of the year with prices starting at $144,990 (before on-road costs) for the 2LT version and $160,500 for the 3LT that comes with a nicer cabin.

The Chevrolet Corvette goes on sale in Australia later this year.

The Aussie importer also confirmed that a convertible version would be available at a later date and will cost an additional $15,000.

The Corvette’s price tag is similar to cars such as the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63, but brings a supercar-like mid-engine layout and head-turning looks.

Exact specification will be announced closer to the launch date, but the Corvette will have supercar rivalling performance and looks at a fraction of the price.

The Corvette will use a beefy 6.2-litre V8 engine producing a hefty 370kW and 637Nm.

It can sprint from 0-100km/h in about 2.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 312km/h.

The new machine has a mid-mounted engine layout and dual-clutch automatic transmission similar to European supercars such as Ferrari’s F8 Tributo.

The Corvette features a mid-engine layout.

Head of GMSV, Joanne Stogiannis, says the Corvette is one of the hottest and most desired sports cars on the planet.

“The Corvette is one of the world’s most recognisable sports cars and over-delivers with regards to performance expected of such a machine,” says Ms Stogiannis.

Thanks to strong feedback from potential customers GMSV is equipping the vehicles sold here with the Z51 performance package as standard to make it a track-day weapon.

The Z51 pack adds grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tyres paired with giant Brembo brakes.

Performance is further enhanced via a heavy-duty cooling set-up, sports exhaust, upgraded suspension and an electronic limited slip differential.

All Corvettes sold in Australia come standard with the Z51 performance pack.

A front splitter and rear spoiler boost the rear-wheel drive sports car’s aerodynamics.

There are plenty of creature comforts to keep drivers happy, including a standard 14-speaker Bose stereo and a colour head-up display.

The brand expects Aussies to lap up the new Corvette.

“Corvette is an iconic car and there is a massive groundswell of interest and anticipation building ahead of its local launch,” says Stogiannis.

“We have every expectation it will more than live up to its legendary status.”

The Corvette will come direct from its Bowling Green, Kentucky, factory, instead of having to undergo a lengthy and expensive conversion process, after Chevrolet decided to make the sports car in right-hand drive for the first time.