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Update Corvette kicking in with dressed up coupe
Richard Bosselman
July 9, 2025
Tarted, but not tweaked - the R has something of a ZR1 look, but the real deal types stay Stateside.
EFFORT to fizz up interest in Corvette has begun with announcement of a special edition to kick off issue from next year of versions with a swathe of design alterations.
The mid-life refresh for Chevrolet’s most iconic car has already reached sale in the United States, but New Zealand won’t see it until 2026.
The updated range will continue in the Stingray, E-Ray and Z06 variants the make already delivers in right hand drive.
While the rollout begins with a special version of the archetypal American sports car .. it’s not the one you might think.
Wishfulness that distributor General Motors Speciality Vehicles has arm-twisted the maker into creating a right hand drive edition of the super hero twin-turbo V8 ZR1 and it’s even more evil offshoot, the ZR1X is not being satisfied.
The wholly hotshot editions, which culminate with the X-braded kind that delivers a version of that 5.5-litre V8 in hybrid format making an incredible 932kW (good enough to zap 0-100kmh in under two seconds), are being kept Stateside, with no right hand drive programmes planned.
For this part of the world, the most expressive drive will be a Stingray R launch edition, based on the 3LT Coupe.
Regardless of being marketed as a type “crafted to pay homage to Corvette’s rich racing heritage”.is all about flexing purely visual muscle, with no amendment to its 369kW/637Nm 6.2 litre V8.
The R is limited to 50 examples, to share with Australia, and will deliver for $245,000.
That buy-in brings a car with a specific appearance package with 20-spoke gloss black forged aluminium wheels with red stripe, a carbon fibre roof, a Stingray R build plate and “an array of other premium, eye-catching standard features”.
Says GMSV today: “The Stingray R launch edition delivers exclusivity and an elevated driving experience in a limited-edition package.”
The Corvette’s refresh is mainly about a cockpit refit, with more screens and fewer buttons - that bank of its driver-oriented switches has gone.
All models gain a new 6.6-inch auxiliary touchscreen beside the steering wheel, along with a 12.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 14-inch instrument cluster – up from eight and 12 inches, respectively – for a total of 33.3 inches.
There is a new drive mode selector and repositioned air-conditioning buttons and the control panel previously used for the head-up display has been replaced with buttons for its performance traction management, with its head-up display settings moved into the infotainment system.
The latter has been updated to General Motors' latest software with Google Built-In technology and a modernised interface, with downloadable apps such as Google Chrome, HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video through the Google Play store.
A wireless smartphone charging pad has been added below the infotainment system, along with a larger, illuminated volume dial and a USB-C charging port for the passenger.
There are also redesigned cupholders with hand-wrapped inserts, ambient lighting and Corvette flags at the base, with aluminium trim on 2LT/2LZ and 3LT/3LZ variants.
A new carbon-fibre cover over the instrument cluster is standard on the ZR1 and optional on the others.
New interior colour schemes include Jet Black and Adrenaline Red, the first-ever asymmetrical interior in a Corvette with a red driver's seat with black accents and a black passenger seat with red stitching.
The built-in Performance App, previously limited to the E-Ray, has expanded to all Corvette models. It delivers acceleration timers, a G-force gauge, tyre pressure and temperature readings, and a vitals gauge for a live feed of engine oil, coolant and transmission fluid temperatures and pressures.
The optional Performance Data Recorder has also been tweaked with higher-resolution video and real-time data analysis.
A new Performance Traction Management Pro drive mode allows drivers to turn off electronic stability control and traction control while leaving the anti-lock braking system, and front axle controls in the E-Ray, active.
Chevrolet has added an optional electrochromic roof to select between full, medium and low tint options, an all-new braking package for the Corvette ZR1 with 10-piston front and six-piston rear calipers and carbon-ceramic discs, and the relocation of the E-Ray's Charge Plus button to the steering wheel.