While U.S. customers are no doubt aware that South Korean automakers are growing their business here in this country, many don’t realize that at least one U.S. auto company—Chevrolet—is successfully turning the tide in the other direction. In fact, thanks to the Bowtie brand’s latest initiative, the Chevy Corvette Coupe went on sale in South Korea in early May.
That means Korean drivers now have access to one of the world’s most thrilling supercars, packed with high-performance features including an LS3 V8 engine that makes 430 hp and 424 lb.-ft of torque, a standard six-speed manual transmission with launch control, a performance-oriented suspension and chassis setup, and a highly aerodynamic exterior design—with an MSRP that starts at 86.4 million South Korean “won” ($76,399).
“The Corvette is an exceptional product that no other Korean manufacturer can match,” said GM Korea President and CEO Sergio Rocha. “As the most exciting Chevrolet product, the Corvette Coupe will raise the bar for the brand and its products, and broaden our base of Chevrolet customers in Korea.”
Corvette is doing a little bar-raising here in America, too. Chevrolet East Texas told us that early this summer, Chevy will introduce the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition, which will set new benchmarks for performance as the fastest, most capable Corvette convertible ever. The new 427 Convertible adds many of the go-fast goodies from the Corvette Z06—like its 427-cubic-inch LS7 V8—and will rocket from 0-60 in just 3.8 seconds, run the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds and keep running right up to a top speed of more than 190 mph.
“The 2013 model year will be historic for Corvette, marking its 60th Anniversary and the final year for the current ‘C6’ generation,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Marketing and Strategy for Chevrolet. “We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate these milestones than bringing back one of the most-coveted combinations in the brand’s history—the Corvette convertible and a 427 cubic-inch engine.”
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