2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 arrives in Australia

The first right-hand-drive 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 high-powered V8 supercar has arrived in Australia for customer previews – ahead of local showroom arrivals in late 2023 or early 2024.

General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) is yet to lock in arrival timing – or pricing – for the Corvette Z06 in Australia.

However, the factory-backed local division of Chevrolet says the first examples of the new Z06 delivered to customers will be Model Year 2024 cars – which would indicate first Australian showroom arrivals in late 2023 or early 2024, pending any delays.

GMSV has confirmed all Australian Corvette Z06s will be sold in the top-of-the-range grade available in the US, known as 3LZ.

Compared to an equivalent, top-of-the-range '3LT' version of the standard Corvette Stingray, the Corvette Z06 3LZ is 50 per cent dearer, before taxes – which would translate to about $AU300,000 plus on-road costs, compared to $AU175,000 for a Stingray 3LT Coupe.

Standard features on the Australia-bound Corvette Z06 are expected to include a carbon-fibre-accented steering wheel, carbon-fibre shift paddles, microfibre interior accents, leather-wrapped interior door and instrument panels, and 'GT2' bucket seats with nappa leather upholstery.

These images of a white right-hand-drive Z06 were taken in Australia in recent days and distributed by GMSV this afternoon.

It is this car that will be used for dealer demonstrations and customer previews.

Hardcore fans of the Corvette Z06 will notice the Australia-bound example is missing one key ingredient: the centre-mounted quad exit exhaust system of US models.

MORE: Confirmed: Australia to miss out on Chevrolet Corvette Z06 centre exhaust

As reported by Drive in October 2022, Chevrolet Corvette Z06s sold in "some" export markets will lose the US centre-exit exhaust in favour of a system closer to the Corvette Stingray, with two exhaust pipes on either side of the rear bumper.

The outboard dual exhaust system – depicted above in the Australian-specification Corvette Z06 – is understood to have an emissions-busting petrol particulate filter, in order to meet strict European emission standards (Euro 6d).

It is also likely fitted to help meet European and Australian vehicle noise rules, which are stricter than those in the US.

It remains to be seen if the exhaust change will deliver less power on examples of the Corvette Z06 sold in Australia versus those in the US.

Powering the Corvette Z06 in the US is a bespoke 5.5-litre naturally-aspirated, flat-plane-crank V8 with 500kW and 624Nm, driving the rear wheels though an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Chevrolet claims a 0-60mph (97km/h) acceleration time of 2.6 seconds, and a quarter-mile (402m) drag-racing benchmark sprint in 10.6 seconds.

The Corvette Stingray is not sold with a petrol particulate filter-equipped exhaust in Australia – meeting local regulations without the additional emissions device.

The Corvette Z06 right-hand-drive show car is also fitted with the Z07 Performance Package, with carbon-fibre aerodynamic elements (including a rear wing), carbon-ceramic brake discs, and unique suspension tuning.

It is also fitted with five-spoke carbon-fibre alloy wheels manufactured by Geelong-based company Carbon Revolution.

These items are extra-cost options in the US – but it's not clear if they will be standard or optional in Australia.

The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 right-hand-drive show car is due to go on display in Australia throughout this year, with first showroom arrivals expected late this year, or early next.