Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: we are living through a golden age of performance. Sure, the 1970s may be heralded as a golden age but, right here, right now, is the second coming.
In ten years, we may be hard-pressed to find performance machines like the two here today. And that’s why Motor Trend invited both the 2015 C7 Corvette Z06 and the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR for a Head2Head show down.
While Ford readies the GT yet, it’s Chevrolet and Dodge that have taken American performance under their wings. You could even say budget super cars, rather than performance cars. Because both the 2015 C7 Z06 and 2016 Viper ACR clock lap times under 1:35 at Laguna Seca, and both could easily shame a McLaren P1.
So, both cars take to the track and to the streets to see which American performance brute is worthy of the win. Does the Corvette team land a victory, or does Dodge and the SRT crew shame the small-block V8 with naturally-aspirated V10 power? Press play above to find out.
Comments
Wow the Z06 still get it’s ass kick despite all that aclaimed down force that makes it slowerin the straight line and top speed. I am very disappointed with the Z06’s inconsistency.
I doubt it is making the type of down force the Viper is making. Maybe if Chevy were to hang a big stupid looking wing like the Vipers off the back of the Z06, there may be less over steer issues. The Viper is an absolute eyesore. I agree with the inconsistency issues, and Chevy needs to correct these yesterday.
Unlike Motortrend “journalists” and having a professional racer drive the cars on closed roads and tracks, most who purchase these cars will not be taking them to the limit. The Z06 even the beast that it is, is way more civilized to drive on a regular basis over the Viper of any variety. This is where the comparison should have been a tie or a win for the Vette.
ZO7 aero package but damn that viper pulls!
According to Randy Probst the corners were the Z06s downfall.
This is rather disappointing and I hope it’s a rear end caster issue like the MT article states in a much earlier comparison vs. a GT-R Nismo, where it is also slower around the track.
http://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-chevrolet-corvette-z06-track-retest/
This video, also MT, is more current so IDK if the same issue could be to blame. However, there should be some way of correcting the Z06’s oversteer issue, either through GM or aftermarket but I sure as hell don’t want to have to spend more $$ in the aftermarket to correct an issue GM should have dealt with (or perhaps did??) for the 2016 model year….
Problem of the oversteer with the Z06?, maybe because of his excesive torque in low rpm…………
This video means absolutely NOTHING because just it just says these two guys don’t know what they’re doing as it’s not unlike Stewart Haas Racing as Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch drive cars that are virtually identical to that of teammate Danica Patrick with totally different results.
All I can say is 3 seconds. Wow
Yet another loss for the mighty Z06! Perhaps GM still has some honing to do with this generation ‘Vette after all, as much as it pains GM fans to admit it.
But honestly, it all boils down to personal preference. Both cars punch well above their weight in the high performance segment, and specialize in certain areas. The ACR Viper is now the handling king; at least until Ford unleashes the GT! The Z06 on the other hand is the more tame and livable daily performer! I still find it awesome what American engineers can do in this day and age! Forget the so-called golden years of the 60’s and 70’s: this is the greatest generation of automobiles EVER! Hats off to the red white and blue!!!
ZO7… Aero package
yeh but the Corvette can do it again ! The Viper will be in getting a new transmission after the first run. Chrysler make junk !
The same ACR set the 13 track records on fair weather conditions. Those were verified by the SCCA and are legit. Randy Pobst set one at MRLS weeks earlier. Read the article on motor trends website as it goes in further depth and dodges press release. Do your reaserch beforehand before commenting. As you look uneducated with that comment.
I understand how they talk about the cars performing on the track but to me it sounds like the Viper isn’t really a car for everyone. No A/C and their ACR package drives the price well over 120k? They describe it as a race car that is street legal. For that reason alone I would choose the Vette. The Viper is loud, hot, ugly and uncomfortable. The Vette is still the best bang for the buck and of course GM needs to work on somethings but The Viper is just an ugly fast expensive car. As for the Ford GT, it should be better than these two because it will cost double but it’s an ugly car too. I have always loved the Vette and wondered what Chevy would produce if they were told they can build a car that would cost 200k.