Stinger stripes, standalone MagneRide among changes for the 2021 Corvette

It’s that time of year. Temperatures are rising, precipitation abounds, and new order sheets for our favorite American horsepower factories are rolling in. The most recent? The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette, which comes courtesy of a Facebook C8 owners (and friends) group and Chevy dealer Aaron Adams of Michigan.

First up, the only mechanical change for the 2021 model year: You can now spec Chevy’s Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 separate from the Z51 performance package. The trick suspension was previously only available as a $1895 add-on to the $5000 Z51 performance package, which tweaks the rear end ratio, adds monobloc front calipers, and gives you the sticky summer tires and performance exhaust. If you’re looking for more of a cruiser than a track rat, but enjoy your share of mountain corner-carving, the 2021 arrangement might save you a couple grand.

However, it’s those who spent the extra dollars that may be particularly excited about the 2021 changes. “A lot of people that have already gotten Long Beach Red will be excited,” Adams says, “since that’s discontinued.” If you bit the $995 bullet, who knows? Maybe your Vette will be just that more alluring come resale time. Instead, Chevy’s adding Red Mist Tintcoat and Silver Flare for 2021. Perhaps you opted for the black wheel center caps with the Jake logo? Treasure what ya got, because those little pieces won’t be returning, either.

What will return is a lot of carbon-fiber. Specifically, an all-carbon high wing and some door intake trim. Adams noted that carbon-fiber trim options were in particularly high demand for 2020 cars—to the point that, as the 2021 order sheet states, the exposed-weave ground effects aren’t currently available. “They couldn’t produce enough,” he says.

If you’re still excited about race car vibes (and who isn’t?), 2021 offers some fun options. Clear photos are scarce of the “Stingray R” trim package, but expect it to slather on the signature yellow of Corvette Racing, likely with side panel graphics and maybe some stripes. You could even up the ante with a C8.R car cover, newly available for 2021.

Finally, Corvette’s extending an olive branch to traditionalists—and a slick-looking goodie to newcomers—with the Stinger Stripe option first made famous by race-going C2s. Of course, drawing attention to a short frunk holding your Trader Joe’s bags is slightly different than adorning the hood of your L88-packing track monster, but hey, we’re not above a little historical homage. You can also take the regular race-car route and slap on some full-length racing stripes in red, yellow, Carbon Flash, silver, blue, or orange. (But why would you choose orange?)

Which change are you most excited about for the 2021 Corvette? Let us know in the comments below.