The fine lads and lasses at Edmunds.com took the 2014 Corvette C7 Stingray coupe and SRT Viper coupe to the track to conduct a series of instrumented performance tests, including 0-60 and quarter mile sprints, braking trials, slalom rounds, and skid pad runs. The results were rather interesting:
| METRIC | CORVETTE C7 | SRT VIPER | +/- CORVETTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-60 MPH ACCELERATION W/ 1FT ROLLOUT (SECONDS) | 4.1 | 3.5 | 0.6 SECONDS SLOWER |
| 1/4 MILE SPRINT (SECONDS @ MPH) | 12.39 @ 113.73 | 11.72 @ 124.09 | 0.67 @ 10.36 SLOWER |
| 60-0 MPH BRAKING (FEET) | 99 | 110 | 11 FT SHORTER |
| SKIDPAD (G) | 1.05 | 1.01 | 0.04 G FASTER |
| SLALOM (MPH) | 73.5 | 72 | 1.5 MPH FASTER |
0-60
Both cars leave the line at the same rate and are in a dead heat until about 40 mph. But then it’s game over for the C7, which requires a shift to second gear to reach 60. What’s more, the C7′ 6.2 liter LT1 V8 making 450 hp is at a horsepower disadvantage to the Viper’s monstrous 640 hp 8.4 liter V10, another reason for the Vette’s loss in the test. At the end of the day, the Viper reaches the coveted 60 mph mark 0.6 seconds faster than the C7.
Advantage: SRT.
The Quarter
The Viper’s power advantage continues to triumph the Vette in the quarter mile drag, edging out the Stingray by 0.67 seconds and 10.36 mph.
Again, advantage: SRT. But not for long.
Braking
The Viper stops from 60 mph in a respectable 110 ft, but the C7 Stingray shines with an unbelievable 99 ft.
Advantage: Chevrolet.
Skidpad
Even though the C7’s tires are not nearly as wide as those on the Viper, the Stingray still manages to outperform the snake from SRT, posting 1.05g to the Viper’s 1.01.
Advantage: Chevy.
Slalom
And for the final blow: the C7 Stingray took the slalom by storm in 73.5 mph to the Viper’s 72.0. As we experienced during our test drive of the 2014 Stingray, the car is so well-balanced, well-behaved, talkative, and informative, that Edmunds even said that running the slalom was “a breeze” compared to the Viper, which was more of a point and “hope the grip is there” experience.
Advantage: Corvette.
The Winner
Determining the winner between these two is somewhat akin to choosing a flavor of ice cream. Both will bring a smile to the face of the driver, and both are very capable performers. The Viper definitely has the straight line advantage, but the Corvette Stingray is simply a better all-around sports car.
And for those who place greater priority on driving extremely fast in a straight line, the more powerful C7 Z07 is on its way. Something tells us that the Viper won’t remain victorious against that beast.
Here’s the Edmunds.com video:
Comments
numbers should be flipped for 1/4mile in the chart
Also, this is a BS comparison, 460hp vs 640hp, $60k vs $100k. when the Z06/7 shows up it’ll bitch slap the Vipe
CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG BUT EITHER THE VETTE IS FASTER IN THE QUARTER OR YOU HAVE YOUR TIMES MIXED UP
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I flipped the numbers by accident.
Fixed.
That’s great to see.. They really outdone the competition with this car but I guess it’s what I’m use to seeing with a corvette out corner and out race cars twice its value so it’s been kind of the norm.. I kind of hate to rub it in but where are those kids saying the reason corvettes handle so good is because of those barely legal slicks?
I agree that this comparison is mismatched considering the 190hp difference.I remember the comparison in a popular car magazine between the old ZR1 and the then new Viper that had its ass beaten, and all the head of the viper design team could do was make excuses and have a rematch with another upgraded Viper lol. In this day and age who needs an 8.4 Liter V10 to power a performance car. Come on Viper boys the only way you can beat a vette is by having a way bigger engine,and then its only in a straight line!!! I guess Dodges real world idea of driving is on an airport runway. Wait till the ZO7 gets here,and after that has beaten your ass the ZR1 will bury you.
I think the results are what we expected based on the horsepower disadvantage of the C7. And to many the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times carry a bit more weight in importance to “street people” since many owners never get to push the car to the limits in regards to skidpad, slalom etc. I am not even suggesting that those categories are not significant since my passion is road racing. But to many it is purely 1/4 mile times and I know how important that is, especially in regards to “bragging rights”. But what the comparison ultimately points out is Chevrolet needs to get the Z07 or ZR1 to the market quickly. There will be more and more of the C7 vs Viper tests and I am sure when the Z07 comes out Viper owners will crawl back under their rocks. Corvette owners do not like being #2 in any category so GM needs to get busy and get the car to market. I suggested months ago that the Corvette Z07 needed a launch similar to the 1-13-13 unveiling of the base Stingray and should take place no later than this January. They could promote it the same way and should be dubbed
“One-14-Fourteen” The Beast Returns.
The MPG is also in favor of the Corvette Stingray, since only a few minutes in his lifetime would a Corvette owner have to race against a Viper. The rest of the time, the Corvette owner will save money on gas and have e a daily driver, while the Viper stays in a garage most of its life.
we need the Z07 soon, the viper also has 2 extra packages which can be add on 1– srt track package (shocks and wheels and P-zero tires) and 2– called the TA package ( track attack) which adds bigger brakes, more shocks ,sway bars, braces , springs, scoops and a lot more $$$$$ and that is why we need a Z07 to kick ITS ASS
This is a vette with a base engine….wait till the Z07 or grand sport. or ZR1 shows up…… then its game over dodge.
If anything, this should be interpreted as a win for the underdog, base C7.
I can only imagine what unholy numbers the Z07 and the ZR1 (or perhaps the new ZR2, which is why they say there won’t be any ZR1 for the C7?) will be able to pull.
Doubtful the ZR2 name will be used, that was the offroad pack for the S10 and the name of the offroad (think Raptor) concept truck a couple years ago.
I Have mine and it is fabulous. It is my 3rd Corvette. I had a 2009 Porsche 911 Turbo, 2009 MB SL550 and a 2012 Porsche Panamera and this C7 is their equal or in some cases better.
Seriously? The Viper has always had the V10, they didn’t just start putting it in there. My old 1998 Viper GTS ran a 12.0 @ 120mph. Yeah, get on those beast upgrade models so you can pass up the BASE Viper… BASE MODEL…BASE MODEL… BASE MODEL “Just wait until we get the faster model, blah, blah, blah, waah, waaah” Vette drivers need a diaper change. That C7 Vette can’t outrun ugly no matter what upgrade model comes out.
Viper is not a dime a dozen like them corvettes if u have a viper u ‘pitty the fool’who owns a corvette lol