The C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has been on sale in America since the 2020 model year. While Chevrolet's mid-engine sports car has suffered a few setbacks and delays in the US, customers in markets outside of America have been forced to wait a lot longer to experience the C8 Corvette.

After the first right-hand-drive examples debuted in Japan back in June, the C8 Corvette is preparing to enter the Australian market. Originally, the C8 Corvette was supposed to go on sale in Australia in the first half of 2021, but it will now enter production later this month.

This will come as a relief to Australian enthusiasts as there were rumors the right-hand drive Corvette was canceled due to challenges caused by the pandemic. Before customer deliveries begin later this year, a C8 Corvette Convertible 3LT finished in Torch Red has been imported for local engineering validation in Victoria, Australia.

"This is a significant milestone for GMSV and while we would have loved to have celebrated with more fanfare, we have had to adjust our plans in light of Covid-19 and lockdown restrictions," said Joanne Stogiannis, director of GM Specialty Vehicles. "It is a doubly-exciting time for Corvette fans in Australia and New Zealand, as later this month our right-hand-drive C8 Corvettes are due to go into regular production at the famed Bowling Green Plant in Kentucky."

Like the US version, Australia's Corvette Stingray is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 producing 490 hp and 465 lb-ft, which is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Compared to the US version, Australians will need to pay a considerable premium.

Pricing for the entry-level 2LT coupe starts at $145,000 AUS ($107,216 USD). At the top of the range is the Carbon Edition, which costs $189,900 AUS ($140,416 USD). Despite this, all 250 C8 Corvette Stingrays in the first batch of cars allocated for Australia have been sold.