Federal government homologation documents reveal lower power output for Chevrolet’s new flagship supercar Down Under
Australian examples of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will be less powerful than their American counterparts, federal government documents show.
According to official homologation data published this week, the new flagship of Chevrolet’s mid-engined supercar range will deliver peak power of 475kW in Australia, as opposed to the full-fat 500kW output offered in most other markets.
The prospect of a lower power output for Australia’s Z06 first surfaced in March, when General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) director Greg Rowe said Aussie cars would be fitted with a more restrictive exhaust system – incorporating an emissions-reducing petrol particulate filter – than vehicles sold overseas including North America.
At the time, GMSV refused to confirm a local power output, but reports out of Europe a month later revealed cars fitted with this ‘export’ exhaust would develop 474kW/595Nm, marking a reduction of 26kW/28Nm compared to the US-spec 500kW/623Nm figures.
GMSV is yet to announce details of its local-spec Z06, but this week’s publication of an Australian Design Rule-compliant 475kW peak power output all but confirms it.
No torque figure for the Z06’s naturally-aspirated 5.5-litre flat-plane crank V8 is listed in the documents, but odds are it will be similar to the European version (595Nm).
The more restrictive exhaust also mutes some of the Z06’s incredible engine note, which was one of the model’s major talking points both in the lead-up to and following its global debut, not to mention a major drawcard for many potential customers.
Australian Z06 pricing, specification and availability details for what will probably be the most expensive and technically advanced GM product ever offered here will be announced in the coming months, before first deliveries later this year.
However, demand will outstrip supply, with carsales dealer sources previously suggesting only 20 to 30 examples will be allocated to local GMSV dealers in the first 12 months.
There were also question marks over the local availability of the Z07 Performance Package, which contains homegrown carbon-fibre wheels made by Carbon Revolution in Geelong, as well as ultra-high performance tyres, carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon aero bits and an angrier suspension tune.
But the Z07 pack is referenced directly in the government documents seen by carsales, at least approving the high-performance option for Aussie roads – if not confirming it for our market.
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Keyword: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 nobbled in Australia