Corvette Z06 Spied With Emissions Testing Equipment

The C8 Corvette Z06 got its big debut for the 2023 model year, dropping in with even higher track-ready performance potential than the C8 Corvette Stingray. Critically, the new C8 Corvette Z06 won’t just be sold stateside, but will be available to overseas customers as well. Now, new spy photos may suggest that the C8 Corvette Z06 is poised for yet another international market update.

For those readers who may be unaware, this C8 Corvette Z06 Convertible prototype appears to be wearing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS), as indicated by the odd-looking exhaust treatment out back. The EPA’s PEMS does exactly what you might think, measuring the emissions piped through the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine.

However, this particular C8 Corvette Z06 prototype is notable for a few other reasons, as well. For starters, it’s wearing an outboard exhaust treatment, a setup which has (so far at least) only been confirmed for international markets like Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. By comparison, U.S.-spec Corvette Z06 models are equipped with a central exhaust treatment. The outboard exhaust treatment includes a gas particulate filter to help meet stricter international emissions standards.

C8 Corvette Z06 prototype with PEMS

C8 Corvette Z06 with central exhaust

However, there’s one more interesting detail to parse out here. This prototype is also left-hand drive, whereas international markets like Australia, New Zealand, and Japan are all right-hand drive.

Putting it all together, this prototype may be testing a new configuration for the C8 Corvette Z06 set for sale in international markets that require the outboard exhaust treatment, plus a left-hand drive cabin.

Stateside, the 2023 Corvette Z06 is rated at 670 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with motivation sourced from the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine. However, in international markets, output is detuned to 636 horsepower and 439 pound-feet of torque. All C8 Corvette variants ride on the GM Y2 platform, with production taking place exclusively at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.

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