[VIDEO] Virtual Corvette Team Presentation from Corvettes at Carlisle

I didn’t realize this was going on over the weekend, but Corvettes at Carlisle hosted a Virtual Corvette Team presentation featuring Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter and Corvette Product Marketing Manager Harlan Charles via a live chat streamed to Facebook. Lance Miller of Carlisle Events led the virtual chat.

Right off the bat, Tadge takes a few moments to clarify the recent news about the Corvette Engineering team moving to Autonomous and Electric Vehicles and he says that there is no cause for alarm as the engineering team is still intact and working on the C8 Corvette. Tadge says the move will help infuse the electric vehicle program with passionate members from the Corvette program and that if anything, the Corvette Team will have even greater access to additional engineers and capabilities from the organization with the move.

Tadge and Harlan then start the Corvette presentation and if you’ve seen any of their previous seminars you will know what’s in store. Tadge talks about the awards the cars have received and even the Convertible which just started being delivered is recognized. Tadge says the convertible has converted many hardcore coupe fans and he counts himself among those who are crossed over to being a convertible fan.

As we get into the heart of the presentation, we see a slide that shows that Corvette still leads the “Luxury Sport Segment” and Harlan says that “we own this segment” and sales will continue to grow as we move past the COVID shutdowns and more Corvettes are delivered. Tadge mentions that the second shift at Bowling Green Assembly is being “onboarded” and will start in the next couple of weeks. “You’ll see a big increase in our capability to build cars…and we are desperate to produce as many as these cars as possible,” Tadge says.

Torch Red continues to be the leading exterior color with 25% of builds, followed by Arctic White at 15% and Black at 12%. Interior colors are Jet Black with 28% while Adrenaline Red is 25%.

Harlan takes a few minutes to talk about Corvette Racing’s recent success with 4 wins in a row and he also shows off the two pace car designs that were highlighted on the Road America IMSA Pace Car and the Indy 500 Pace Car.

Next up is the 2021 Corvette Model Year information which we’ve been over several times now. They are:

• Magnetic Ride Control available without Z51 – FE2
• Wireless phone projection – Apple Car Play and Android Auto
• Driver Mode Selector on-screen visualization
• Strike Yellow / Sky Cool Gray Interior – 3LT
• New Colors – Silver Flare Metallic and Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat
• Additional Stripe Options and Colors

As the team discussed the new items, we are getting a first look at some of the new features including the Driver Mode Selector On-Screen Visualization and the Strike Yellow/Sky Cool Gray interior on both the GT2 seats and the Competition seats.

Following the 2021 round-up, the team took questions from Lance. Tadge talks about the recent Frunk Recall and the changes made to the key fob to prevent the accidental opening of the frunk’s lid. Another tidbit we learned is that the team has been some Right Hand Drive C8 prototypes that are being tested in the US right now. Harlan comments about the RHD cars he has driven at Milford and says they are “localized” so the voice prompts for the Australian C8 come with an Australian accent.

You can watch the entire presentation here:

Source:
Corvettes at Carlisle

Related:
[SPIED] The 2021 Corvette ‘Stingray R’ Graphics Shown at Road America
The 2021 Corvette Order Guide Is Now Available for Download
[POLL] Which New 2021 Corvette Option Excites You the Most?