2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe and Convertible (far right in new Silver Flare Metallic)

The first iteration of the eighth generation Corvette was, unsurprisingly, a big hit. The first ever mid-engine model made a huge splash with its introduction and those who waited flocked to dealerships ready to place orders.

Even a pandemic couldn’t stem the tide when it came to popularity of the new model with Chevy selling out of its entire allotted production run of 2020 models.

If you missed out, there’s good news — the 2021 model is even better than the original coming with new standard electronics and performance — and at the same price: $59,995 for the new Corvette Stingray and $67,495 for the convertible. Both models include destination freight charge.

(GM ready to build 20K new C8 Corvettes.)

“Our mission was to develop a new sports car, combining the successful attributes of Corvette with the performance and driving experience of mid-engine supercars,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette executive chief engineer. “We are thrilled with the enthusiasm the mid-engine Corvette brought following its launch and are keeping it fresh with new content for the 2021 model.”

Chevrolet offered up a sneak peek at some of the new color combos for the C8.

The new model gets a slew of updates for the 2021 model year, which include:

• Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension available without Z51 (FE2)
• Standard Wireless Apple CarPlay/Wireless Android Auto
• New Full Length Dual Racing Stripe Package colors: Blue, Orange, Red and Yellow
• Stinger Stripes in three colors: Carbon Flash/Edge Red, Carbon Flash/Edge Yellow and Carbon Flash/Midnight Silver
• Driver mode on-screen visualization and new track digital tachometer
• Standard Buckle To Drive, a safety technology that, when active, can prevent the driver from shifting the vehicle out of Park if the driver’s seat belt is not buckled for up to 20 seconds; this feature is designed to help remind all drivers to buckle up before driving

It also gets some new exterior and interior colors for the upcoming model year. Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat and Silver Flare Metallic are now available for the exterior while inside you can get the C8 in either Sky Cool Gray or Yellow Strike.

(GM shuts down new orders for the new Corvette.)

It not only goes fast, but for the new model year, buyers can make it look faster too with the full-length Dual Racing Stripe Package coming in four color options: Blue, Orange, Red and Yellow. The Stinger Stripe is also new for 2021, available in three colors: Carbon Flash/Edge Red, Carbon Flash/Edge Yellow and Carbon Flash/Midnight Silver.

The 2021 Corvette gets an available racing stripe for the new model year.

While the new look of the eighth-gen sports car is impressive, it was the powerplant that really captured the attention of fans, and it gets a few tweaks too. The next-generation LT2 is paired with Chevrolet’s first eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for lightning-fast shifts and excellent power transfer.

The engine is the 6.2-liter LT2 V-8 with Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Active Fuel Management. It also comes with a drive mode selector with six options: Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, and MyMode and Z Mode customizable modes.

Stopping power comes from four-wheel antilock, four-wheel disc, four-piston calipers with 12.6-inch front rotors and 13.3-inch rear rotors. By the way, those calipers can be painted in one of four colors from the factory: Black, Bright Red, Edge Red and Yellow. They won’t stop any better, but they will look cool.

For 2021, the Corvette will deliver a more precise ride than its predecessor due to the available Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension without Z51 (FE2), which reads the road better, providing more precise data through suspension-mounted accelerometers, the company noted.

(Internal document confirms 1,000-hp Corvette C8 Zora.)

The new model comes after GM had to overcome the impact of the coronavirus had on its production schedule. General Motors used the second shift it added last year, and used some earlier this year, at its Bowling Green, Kentucky plant that produces the Corvette to meet its goal of building more than 20,000 units of the 2020 model of sports car.