A new exhaust system and emissions-busting technology are poised to deliver a power deficit to Chevrolet Corvette Z06 supercars sold in Australia.
The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – one of the most powerful Corvettes of all time – will have less V8 grunt and noise when it arrives in Australian showrooms, and performance will be nobbled compared to the same supercar sold in the US.
As first reported in Australia by Drive late last year, Chevrolet and local distributor General Motors Specialty Vehicles had already confirmed Corvette Z06s sold here will be equipped with a more conventional exhaust system rather than the centre-mounted tailpipes fitted to US models.
Designed primarily for Europe – where strict emissions standards apply – the “export” exhaust includes a petrol particulate filter (PPF) to cut emissions and trim noise levels to European standards.
Chevrolet has now advised European media the 5.5-litre petrol V8 in Corvette Z06s with the filtered exhaust will produce 474kW and 595Nm – down on the 500kW and 624Nm of US models with centre exhaust tips and no PPF.
Drive has contacted General Motors Specialty Vehicles to confirm if the reduced outputs for Europe will apply to Australia and New Zealand.
However, it appears likely given models sold in Australia, New Zealand and Europe (shown in the video below) will have the same muted exhaust.
Versions of the standard 6.2-litre pushrod V8 Corvette Stingray sold in Europe are also detuned compared to US versions, developing 354kW/613Nm from the US figures of 369kW/637Nm.
While the Corvette Z06 will be fitted with the European exhaust in Australia, the standard Corvette Stingray sold in Australia is equipped with the full-noise US engine tune and exhaust set-up.
Drive understands the Corvette Z06 exhaust fitted to US models may not meet Australian noise regulations.
The loss of power and noise is expected to see the Corvette Z06 miss out on the title of the most powerful General Motors performance car ever sold in Australia.
The downgraded Corvette Z06 would fall behind the 477kW/881Nm output claimed for the supercharged V8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 muscle car sold after a conversion to right-hand drive through GMSV’s predecessor in Australia, Holden Special Vehicles, from 2019.
However, the nobbled Corvette Z06 would match the most powerful production car ever built and sold in Australia, the supercharged V8 HSV GTS-R W1 sedan, which quoted 474kW/815Nm (albeit according to more lenient power rating protocols to the Camaro ZL1).
Prices and exact arrival timing details for Australian deliveries of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 are yet to be confirmed.
GMSV says the first customer cars will be Model Year 2024 examples of the new Corvette Z06, which suggests local showroom arrivals commencing in late 2023 or early 2024.
All Australian Corvette Z06s will be sold in the top-of-the-range grade available in the US, known as 3LZ – and fitted with a carbon-fibre-accented steering wheel and shift paddles, microfibre interior accents, leather-wrapped interior panels, and ‘GT2’ bucket seats with nappa leather trim.
In the US, a Corvette Z06 3LZ is about 50 per cent dearer than a top-of-the-range 3LT version of the Corvette Stingray coupe.
Using this as a guide, Australian Corvette Z06s examples may be priced close to $300,000 plus on-road costs.
Watch the Corvette Z06 lap the Hockenheim race track in Germany – and Drive’s walkaround in Australia
The post Video: Australia’s Chevrolet Corvette Z06 set to be less powerful than the US model appeared first on Drive.