Chevrolet recalls Corvette over exhaust noise

Owners of this high-performance car will have to return to the dealership after it was found to have breached Australian design rules.

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Chevrolet has asked Corvette owners to return to dealerships for a reason that might be hard to hear.

The American brand issued a recall for more than 100 examples of the Corvette C8 Stingray, following news that the car is “not compliant” with Australian Design Rules.

Chevrolet says the Corvette’s exhaust note breaks Australian laws.

A recall notice published by the brand says that “due to a manufacturing defect, the drive-by exhaust noise exceeds the limit defined under Australian Design Rule 83/00”.

“Owners of affected vehicles should attend a General Motors Australia and New Zealand Pty Ltd (GM) dealer to have the engine control module software updated, free of charge.”

The C8 Stingray is the first Corvette sold in Australia.

The car will be quieter as a result of the software update.

Australian examples of the C8 Stingray are powered by a 6.2-litre “LT2” V8 that makes 369kW and 637Nm.

The Corvette Stingray offers a mid-engine supercar experience for less than Euro rivals.

European versions of the car are significantly less punchy due to stricter emissions rules that limit outputs to 349kW and 613Nm.

GMSV has moved to reassure customers concerned that their car will be less potent as a result of the recall, confirming that “the updates made to the vehicles will not reduce power output”.

American Corvette Z06 models have four exhaust pipes in the centre of the bumper.

The Corvette’s tweak comes after GM confirmed that Australian customers looking to get hold of the high-performance 500kW Z06 model will get a less throaty exhaust than that offered in the US.

Australia’s Z06 has less dramatic exhaust pipes.

While American Z06 coupes have centre-exit exhausts similar to Lamborghini’s Aventador SV, local variants make do with more pedestrian pipes mounted on either side of the bumper.

More information: GMSV Communications Centre, 1800 004 678