Confirmed: Overseas Chevy Corvette Z06 Will Have 34 Less Horsepower

The newChevrolet Corvette Z06will see a power downgrade when it arrives in overseas markets next year due to more strict emissions laws. Australia'sDrivehas learned that the Z06's 5.5-liter flat-plane V8 - the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in any production vehicle - will see its output drop from 670 horsepower here in the US to 636 hp in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Do the math and that's 34 fewer ponies.

我们第一次学会了那t this was going to happen nearly a year ago but the overseas-bound Z06's final output has only now been disclosed. In order to make the Z06 compliant in those markets, Chevy engineers had toredesign the exhaust systemwhich, unfortunately, changes the look of the rear end.

It will be fitted with a more conventional exhaust system that's similar to the unit found on the Corvette Stingray instead of the center-mounted tailpipes found on the US-spec Z06.

The export Z06's exhaust system will have a petrol particulate filter (PPF) that reduces emissions and makes the vehicle quieter, per European noise requirements. That new exhaust system is part of what made the Z06 look andsound so uniqueand it's a shame overseas customers won't be able to enjoy it.

Here in America, the Z06 goes from a standstill to 60 mph in only 2.6 seconds and the flat-plane crank V8 can rev up to 8,600 rpm. No doubt the overseas model's numbers will suffer slightly.

This is not the first time the C8 Corvette has been detuned for markets outside of North America.