As a teenager, have you ever lost to a senior citizen? That’s probably how Dodge SRT feels right now, as its 640 horsepower Viper was just bested by the aging, and soon-to-be-discontinued Corvette ZR1 around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the latest Motor Trend head-to-head comparison test.
When SRT pulled the sheet off the new Viper earlier this year, both fanboys and the media at large immediately began comparing it to the Corvette ZR1 spec sheet. As the Viper’s natural rival, the range-topping Corvette seemed to be the base Viper’s mirror image on paper. But on the track, it was quickly discovered that the ZR1 was the better beast.
With the top recorded speed of 140.4 mph to the Viper’s 138.4 mph, the Corvette ZR1 performed an average of 2.1 seconds quicker per lap over the V10-powered SRT. But here’s something even more significant: driver Randy Pobst set a new Laguna Seca lap record in the ZR1 with a time of 1:33.70, while the Viper’s best time was 1:35.77, proving once again that there is absolutely nothing that provides more performance for your dollar than a Corvette.
What really gave the aging ZR1 the advantage here were the better carbon ceramic brakes, the superior magnetic ride control suspension, and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. Of course, with the impending ACR version of the new Viper, we could have a new champion… to which the C7 Corvette will deliver an answer, as will the new Z06 and ZR1 models, renewing the rivalry.
Comments
If you intend to dethrone the king you had better kill the king. All hail King Corvette!
Link to the MT article/ video?
I’ve asked this a handful of time before, why does GMA never cite their source with a link to the original story. Every other website does it, I know Jalopnik has thrown a plug in for GMA when they source your articles.. even if it’s just something like “Our friends over at PickupTrucks.com”
I understand that “Motor Trend” is a link in the first paragraph but there are 3 other links within the article all going to old GMA stories. I don’t give a crap about those. Meh, I guess what you guys do works for most, just isn’t how I would do it if I were sourcing someone else’s work.
Andrew, we link back to the source every time. Jalopnik does it the same way we do it — links in the story. The fact that “Motor Trend” is highlighted should be a pretty good indicator to you that it’s a link to the original story. Unfortunately there is no video yet.
The C7 Corvette is gonna have some big shoes to fill… fast ones too.
I think the C7 will easily build on top of what the C6 has accomplished.. Brand new engines, brand new transmission… Hopefully when they introduce the new Corvette, we’ll give an estimate of the weight, just curious to see if they will make it lighter not that it needs too..
The C7 is going to be a Monster! look out Nissan GTR and Porsche. This Vette is going to eat your lunches..
I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but I’m pretty doubtful that the base C7 about to be introduced is going to come close to current ZR1 (or even Z06) performance figures. We will have to wait another year or 2 for new versions of those models to truly compete with GTR, 911 Turbo, and Viper. The base C7 will be a better car than the base C6, but it will take the higher performance versions to run with the big dogs. Even then, with no AWD, it will be difficult beating them 0-60 (as it is now). The C7 had better be damned good looking, and have an incredible interior, because that will have to carry it for a while!
I expect that the new C7 will receive mixed reviews for a year or two until all the models are released. I know when the C6 came out my first reaction was “how can it ever look as good as my C5?” Well, it grew on me once they put out that ZR1 and the 427. Having discovered this web site and going through all the speculation for this release, I am looking forward to this release much more than the last one! Thanks for everything you guys, especially the ‘leaked’ photos! =) I too sometimes think they are a calculated part of the GM strategy! =D
Bill I don’t think anyone was thinking the base C7 would produce ZR1 results.. I understand that the ZO6 and ZR1 will follow after the base.. But I still think it will be a great performer.. With a new 7 speed transmission it will be a sub 4 second car.. I don’t care if it doesn’t compete with the GTR and the 911T.. The year after the base the Zo6 will be out and another hopefully the ZR1 successor will be out… I’m in no hurry.. About the interior and exterior we will see in the coming month..
My response was directed at Archangel, who made the comment the C7 would be a “Monster” and said “look out GTR & Porsche”. Maybe eventually that will be true, but it won’t be for another year or two. I also stated that the base C7 will out-perform the base C6 (and maybe the Z06, but I’ll wait & see on that). In the mean time, its sales will have to rely on a new design & better interior.