The 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 has been billed as a world beater, a supercar killer and more. But, words are words. How does the ZR1 stack up against a true supercar?
The McLaren 720S certainly fits the bill. Sporting a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 710 horsepower, it’s a formidable opponent to the Corvette ZR1. As we all know, the most powerful Corvette to ever leave the factory features a 6.2-liter LT5 supercharged V8 engine with 755 hp.
When the two line up for a few quarter-mile runs, it appears things are going to be close—until the McLaren really finds its footing. The 720S simply rockets away from the Corvette mid-race and never looks back. The same can be said as the two cars roll from 40 mph to 160 mph, and the 720S performs even better.
Here, it comes down to weight and aerodynamics. The McLaren weighs hundreds of pounds lighter than the Corvette. At 3,600 pounds, the ZR1 is a pig compared to the 720S’ weight of fewer than 3,200 pounds. Without less mass to move, 710 hp does a better job of slipping away from the 755-hp Corvette.
Comments
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~$140k ZR1 vs. ~$285k 720S
Meh…
You can’t win them all…even though the ZR1 did lap VIR faster than the $500k Ford GT.
Wow! The ZR1 isn’t even in the same league. What a beating and so humiliating. In actual fact, power to weight was 4.47 vs 4.76 which isn’t that far and doesn’t explain these results.
Imagine how much the McLaren would smoke the Ford GT? That’s why Ford keeps it away from such comparisons.
This is just the result of far superior British engineering. The same engineering that goes into F1 racing.
A little bit like NASCAR vs F1. The loud Trump-like American that makes a lot of noise with little substance and results to back it up. Lol
Your compromised TRaitor disrespected our queen, so this is our response. More to come from the rest of the world.
You’ve become unhinged. Try and take a deep breath,
Your queen is a lizard and ought to be further disrespected at every turn.
Superior British engineering, you got to be kidding. Look at the price difference. Tells it all.
It’s interesting to note that the ZR-1 has 35 more HP and 147ft/lbs more torque, yet it gets owned like a Toyota Prius. Shockingly, there’s no competition.
That car needs to be checked. Maybe it was only running on a single cylinder bank. Lol
The McLaren weighs 550 lbs. less. A true car enthusiast realizes that weight makes a huge difference…especially when carrying around an extra 1/4 ton.
Since the McLaren costs more than twice as much as the ZR1, let’s take that extra ~$145k, put it into the Vette and race them again. LOL!
I am from the future- 2020 in fact, and We’ve found out that the mclaren 720s has 700hp to the wheels compared to the zr1’s 670-680whp. Add that to the weight and this comparison is pretty straightforward.
ZR1 is built for cornering, thus it needs to be employed in a tight turning race for its carbon brakes and low center of gravity to be of use. it also is not capable of beating top speeds of butattis. also, if you want straight line performance, you can add more power.
I am a Corvette guy going back to the C3. I just turned 43, and I need Mark Ruess and Tadge Juechter to understand that the current C7 is too heavy across the line. Corvettes should weight between 3000 and 3300 pounds, now in the ideal world I would love for them to weigh 2800 to 3100 pounds, but I know from a safety standard that will not happen. I’m excited about the new mid engine C8, but I’m initially disappointed to hear that it will be heavier than the current C8. The Corvettes are capable of beating Porsche 911, McLaren, Ferrari 488, but those cars are getting lighter and we are getting heavier. The all new Silverado/Sierra are going to be 300 pounds lighter, Mark Ruess and Tadge Juechter I am begging you guy, like a man who has loved Corvettes all of my life make the C8 lighter. Let beat the 911, McLarens, Ferrari 488.
I see a lot of Vettes on the street compared to all of the “super” cars. At half the price I’d rather have the Vette.
Maybe in your neighbourhood. If the only restaurant in your town is a McDonalds and that’s what people can afford, you eat at Mickey Dee.
Let’s do this test in 12-18 months when Chevrolet’s mid-engine C8 Corvette becomes available.
This is not a static target. McLaren will also be somewhere else in 18 months. McLaren is a small company which adapts quickly, integrates constant changes while competing fiercely. They are not a mass market brand. They built 3340 cars in 2017. (about 10% of the Corvette volume. ) They are sold out for 2018. Last year there was a 2 year waiting list for the 720. Exclusivity and excellence has a price.
Ouch!….really no comparison. Yeah I know the MacLaren costs significantly more….but still completely smokes the ZR1.
Why anyone would pay 6 figures for the ZR1 is beyond me! Even if it was as fast as the MacLaren….the ZR1 is not even nearly as attractive or as well built as the MacLaren.
The 720 is very aero effecient, has a great dual clutch that transfers a lot of the power to the ground, and weighs less. Expected result.
Still ~ $140K… an expensive ‘pig’ in anyone’s books.
Moral of the story: don’t take on far superior cars; their price counts for something in supercar terms.
Run the Corvette against the Challenger Demon.
Road course or straight line? What would that prove? The demon has a 25 year old Mercedes E class chassis and nearly 1000 lbs more. And it’s built in Canada by an Italian company with a very high Chinese parts content. And the guy who spearheaded the project in an Italian born Canadian. (Sergio Marchionne) Are you under the illusion that this an American car? ROFLMAO
1150 hp Hellcat VS bone stock 720. The blower on the Hellcat has more displacement than the engine on the 720.
Between the 500lb difference and the 720 actually putting 700hp to the wheels where the ZR1 is at 670hp to the wheels, in addition with the high down force package versus the McLaren being more slippery it all adds up…
Wow! Really no contest eh? And yeah the MacLaren is more expensive but oh so much more! The Stingray, Grand Sport and Z06 are good cars, but I wouldn’t pay anywhere near $140k for the ZR1.
The ZR-1 is supposed to be the King… BTW, this isn’t the top McLaren, that’s the Senna which is a huge step up from the 720S. Corvette fanatics thump their chest when their car looks good against more expensive vehicles but quickly come out with the price excuse when they get beat.
THE KING IS DEAD! LOL
Here’s another reason why the Vette lost – it had two passengers, making the weight difference at least 550-600+lbs. I’d like to see this again with just a driver in each car. Either way, I’m guessing my beloved Corvette would loose. One other potential (but not acceptable reason) the Vette lost – the guy said it was “super hot” that day. I’d bet the Vette was detuning (protecting) itself due to the heat (?). They need to fix this problem. Yes, I’ll go to the tried and true cost difference – it would be a different story if Chevy had another $25-50k MSRP to go toward weight savings… I’m hoping the C8 ups the game and lets the Vette really shine.
Come on GM – let’s not let the Brits (or anyone) beat us like this! USA-1
This my friends is what is called an apologist.
If my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle. Lol
I agree. the xtra passenger 200 pounds makes a big difference. I l love the 720 but there’s no way the ZR1 should not have lost by THAT MUCH! I trust the car magazines and other sources much more than these jokers with expensive toys