Fans are racing to know more about the ultimate edition – but the brand isn’t ready to answer those questions.

HAVING revved up Corvette fans with news that the track-focussed Z06 edition is New Zealand-bound, the distributor has now sought to pull the handbrake on their enthusiasm.

 Those already pitching to be first behind the wheel of a model with a race-derived 5.5-litre engine whose enhanced output of 500kW is claimed to make it “the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in production” are being advised to cool their heels – potentially for the best part of a year.

A spokesman for General Motors Speciality Vehicles says no orders will be accepted for the car it announced on November 27 as a NZ certainty until more is known about how it will cost and when it might be available.

“Unsurprisingly, there has been a strong level of enquiry at GMSV dealers around the country,” the spokesman said in response to how many Kiwi queries it has received.

“However, we are advising our dealers that they should not accept orders or deposits for Z06 until (local) allocation and price is confirmed.

 “Left-hand drive production of the Z06 will begin in the North American summer of 2022 (meaning June next year) and we anticipate, as with the C8, right-hand-drive production will start some months after.

“It’s too early to confirm the timing for Z06 to come to … New Zealand.  We will have a clearer picture on timings when pricing and allocation is confirmed, which we expect to be able to do later next year.”

Pricing is yet to be finalised and availability will almost certainly be more restricted compared with the C8.”

 Initial allocation of the standard C8, which runs a 370kW V8, was four units per dealership here. None of those cars have yet shipped in, the spokesman said today. There is just one officially distributed right-hand-drive example in the country, a car being held by GMSV for demonstration and display.

The Z06’s engine adopts a series of revisions including dual overhead cams and a flat-plane crank that, aside from providing a distinctive engine note, helps raise the power plus the redline, from 6500rpm to 8600rpm.

The car also receives a bespoke aero-focused styling pack and a raft of dynamic enhancements aimed at boosting track performance, while weight has dropped around 100kg to 1561kg.

Today’s video. created by Chevrolet for the car’s global announcement, tells the full story.

Speaking of movies … in related news, GMSV has announced it has created a promotional regional market advertisement for the Silverado LT, which it will show virally. The ad was made in Australia though the brand’s marketing arm says the involvers will nonetheless resonate with Kiwis.