The Chevrolet C8 Corvette is finally available to buyers in Europe but a recent test from Motorsport Magazine indicates it has lost a little bit of performance in making its trip across the Atlantic.
Chevy Corvette Stingray models sold in the United States feature a 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 with 495 hp and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque when equipped with the performance exhaust. This allows the mid-engined sports car to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.9 seconds, a remarkable figure for a car with less than 500 hp on tap.
However, C8 Corvette models sold in Germany have been detuned to produce 475 hp and 452 lb-ft (613 Nm) because of the presence of gas particulate filters needed to pass emissions regulations in the European Union.
When testing out the car at a track, Motorsport Magazine recorded a best 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 3.7 seconds. That is almost a second slower than U.S.-spec models, although it’s worth mentioning that simply recording a 0-62 mph time as opposed to 0-60 mph can add a couple of tenths. Nevertheless, it is quite clear that European shoppers won’t be able to enjoy quite as much performance as those in the U.S.
During the same run, Motorsport Magazine timed a 0-124 mph (200 km/h) sprint of 13.9 seconds and covered 1,000 meters in 21.7 seconds.