Chevrolet’s new Corvette is doing well. It’s the darling of numerous automotive publications and was named the North American Car of the Year. But perhaps it’s doing too well. A Chevrolet representative told CorvetteBlogger that “customer demand for both Stingray models and especially the Z51 has exceeded expectations and we are trying to meet that demand.”
Good news for the bowtie bunch. Bad news for you if you plan on buying a new ‘Vette. As of March 3, base Stingray coupes and convertibles go up $2,000 to $53,000 and $58,000, respectively.
The Z51 Performance Package bundles together up-sized wheels and tires, a dry sump oiling system, Performance Traction Management, an electronic limited-slip differential, special chassis tuning, transmission and differential cooling and available Magnetic Ride Control, in addition to other features. It enables the Stingray to go from 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds and to achieve more than 1 G in lateral acceleration, but it will now cost $4,000. That’s a $1,200 increase. The additional $995 destination charge on all Corvettes remains the same.
Should you already have an order in the system, don’t worry. It won’t be subject to the price hike. Only Corvettes built after March 3 will be.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
