Exported 2023 Corvette Z06 Models Won’t Get Center-Exit Exhaust

Gasoline particulate filters rob the global 2023 Corvette Z06 of a superior look and perhaps some performance.

One of the only complaints most folks have regarding the C8 Corvette is its square, corner-mounted exhaust, which just doesn’t have quite the same appeal as circular tips or a center-exit unit. GM corrected this little problem with the 2023 Corvette Z06, which features a center-exit exhaust with four circular tips for a killer look. However, a number of Z06 prototypes have been spied with square, corner-exit exhaust systems, which made many wonder why. Turns out, that exhaust setup will be installed on exported versions of the 2023 Corvette Z06, according to Corvette Blogger.

As most are already aware, GM decided to completely redesign the Z06’s exhaust system after it discovered that the previous setup didn’t quite do the new LT6 powerplant any sort of favors in the sound department. Thus, many just assumed that the corner-exit exhaust present on Z06 prototypes was left alone, as this was a change that occurred late in the car’s development. However, when a right-hand-drive Z06 prototype was spotted with this older exhaust setup, it raised quite a few eyebrows.

Turns out, the corner-exit exhaust contains gasoline particulate filters, which work much like diesel particulate filters in that they reduce particle number emissions from gas-powered vehicles. These filters are now required to be installed on new vehicles in some markets, including Australia and Europe. Apparently, the tighter packaging of the quad center-exit exhaust didn’t provide engineers with enough space to fit those filters, so GM ultimately decided to stick with the system present on the Stingray, which is already on sale in those markets with GPFs.

While GM says that the exported Z06 still “sounds great,” it makes us wonder just how the two will ultimately compare in that department. It’s also worth noting that in the case of the Stingray, the global model loses around 20 horsepower – or 4.1 percent – versus the North American version as a result of the GPFs, so the Z06 might also wind up making less power in other markets, too.

Photos: Chevrolet 

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