Will the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette get Walkinshaw treatment? C8 Stingray and Z06 can take V8 performance to the next level with powerful supercharger

The new flagship C8 Corvette Z06 is already equipped with an 500kW V8 engine, but Walkinshaw Performance can take it to the next level.

Walkinshaw Performance already sells aftermarket accessories, including a supercharger kit, for another Chevrolet GMSV model, the "restored" full-size Silverado pickup, so it will be doing the same with the soon-to-be-released factory C8 mid-range Corvette. supercar engine?

to the question Cars Guide If Walkinshaw Performance offered a similar range for an all-new Corvette, Walkinshaw Group General Manager Rick Perhold said, “I would never say no.

“And, in fact, we've had a few, I believe, aftermarket businesses in the US that have reached out to us here in Australia, and it's great that we're perceived globally as market leaders in aftermarket.

“So we talked about what we could potentially do with this vehicle. Do the numbers support this in terms of the business case? I'm not sure about this at the moment. But we would definitely like to do something there.”

Mr Purchold added that confirmed and potential Corvette buyers are already asking Walkinshaw Performance if it plans to offer aftermarket accessories, including a supercharger kit, but not yet in sufficient numbers to justify a business case.

“Typically, if we're going to build these high-performance products, it could take 12 to 18 months to bring them to market,” he said.

“So, will we meet the time to market? Does the expected volume support this as a business?

"Or do I think it's better for us to partner as such with an American performing company and be a support network for them, just to meet this demand here in Australia?"

Deliveries to Australia of the entry-level Stingray C8 Corvette should begin in the coming weeks.

But, even if existing products are sold and installed, there is still a chance that Walkinshaw Performance will "continue to develop or improve what is on offer," according to Mr. Perthold.

Time will tell what happens, but Walkinshaw Performance has a fair base for potential work: the Corvette is currently available with two naturally aspirated V8 petrol engines: a 370kW/640Nm 6.2L LT2 (Stingray) and a 500kW 623L. /5.5 Nm. LT6 (Z06).

Australian shipments of the entry-level Stingray (starting at $144,990 plus travel costs) were reportedly due to begin in the coming weeks, with the flagship Z06 (price yet to be determined) due to launch no earlier than the end of 2022.