Buyers Of The Chevrolet Corvette Can Now Build Their Own Engines

Chevrolet opens its factory doors and offers an experience rarely seen in the modern automotive industry. Buyers of the new Corvette Z06, ZR1 and ZR1X models will be able to participate in building their own engine right where the Corvette is made, at the Performance Build Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

It is about the return of the “Build Your Own Engine Experience” program, which Chevrolet already offered in earlier years but paused in the meantime. Customers who choose a special option when ordering a vehicle will have the opportunity to work side by side with the main factory technician and participate with their own hands in the assembly of the engine that will later end up in their car. The idea is simple. If you’re already buying one of America’s most extreme sports cars, why not take part in creating its “heart”?

The program was originally supposed to be restarted in 2023, primarily for the Corvette Z06, with a then-announced price tag of around $5,000. But due to the complexity of the engine’s construction and supply chain issues, the plan has been temporarily put on hold. While Chevrolet is not yet revealing the final price for the 2026, it’s clear that the experience will remain expensive and reserved for only the most ardent enthusiasts.

All three models included use the same base 5.5 liter V8. The Z06 version is a high-revving, naturally aspirated engine, while the ZR1 and ZR1X go a step further and add two turbochargers, turning the same engine into a real beast. Regardless of version, the V8 is one of the key reasons the current Corvette has gained global icon status.

Corvette plant manager Ray Tierro said that Chevrolet knows that the bond with a car deepens when you participate in the creation of its most important part. That’s why he tells customers to “roll up their sleeves” and get to know the engine not only as technical data but also as a personal project.

The participants of the program will not go home with only memories. Chevrolet provides them with a special plate with a signature, a photo of the engine assembly process, and a special gift, the details of which remain a secret for now.

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