2022 Corvette Stingray Named Japan’s Performance Car of the Year

While the word coming out of Bowling Green the past few days has been sad, here’s a bit of good news that should put a smile on the faces of Corvette enthusiasts.

With the Bowling Green Assembly Plant closed for at least a week after suffering tornado damage early Saturday morning, the Stingray produced inside that building has just been named Japan’s Performance Car of the Year during the recent 42nd annual awards ceremony.

The mid-engine C8, of course, is the first Corvette model to be offered in right-hand drive straight from the factory, and the Japanese apparently are appreciative of that extra effort from Chevrolet.

“While it is the first mid-engined sports car of the Chevrolet brand, it has achieved high-quality handling. It is equipped with a 6.2L V8 engine that generates 502 horsepower and shows sensual driving, while being easy to handle in everyday life and right. The setting of the handle and the affordable price setting, which is not inferior to the European 30 million yen class supercar, were also evaluated.”

Tadashi Wakamatsu, President of GM Japan, said, “We have received high praise from everyone, and this time,” Chevrolet Corvette “has received a prestigious award. It is the first time for us to receive an award for a GM car, and we are very honored. We thank all of you for your support. We will continue to introduce attractive and unique products that are unique to GM and enhance our presence in the Japanese market. “

In choosing the Corvette for the award, the panel of 60 judges cited the switch to RHD, as well as the new Corvette’s powerful LT2 V8 engine that goes from 0 to 60 in less than three seconds, its smooth new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and its affordable pricing compared to other cars in its segment.

The new Nissan Note, meanwhile, earned overall top honors as Japan’s Car of the Year, beating out 28 other nominees that included the Corvette and three other GM offerings, all from Cadillac – the CT5, XT4, and Escalade.

The nominated vehicles are passenger cars that were announced or launched in Japan between November 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021.

Source:
GM Media Japan via MotoringResearch.com

Related:
[VIDEO] C8 Corvette Stingray Named 2020 North American Car of the Year
2020 Corvette Named Car of the Year by Popular Mechanics
The C8 Corvette Stingray is Named MotorTrend’s Car of the Year