The new C8 Corvette Stingray can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under three seconds in ideal conditions, making it one of the quickest production cars on the planet.
There’s no denying the technology that helps the C8 Corvette Stingray accelerate from a standstill to highway speeds in the blink of an eye is impressive, but when it comes to outright acceleration, electric vehicles reign supreme. Even an impressive engine like the GM 6.2L LT2 V8 can have trouble competing with the immediate torque of an electric motor – especially in a short sprint where the internal combustion engine car can’t properly stretch its legs.
YouTube channel The Fast Lane Car recently decided to line the C8 Corvette up against one of the quickest production EVs around today, the Tesla Model Y Performance. The battery-electric crossover makes 457 horsepower and 497 pound-feet of torque from its dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain, helping it accelerate from 0-60 in around 3.5 seconds. On paper, it seems the C8 Corvette would have the Tesla Model Y Performance beat. After all, the C8 Corvette is faster on paper from 0-60 mph and from that point, the ‘Vette can leverage the power of its Small Block V8 to pull a healthy gap on the Tesla, right?
Well, it’s a little more complicated than that. The test track that TFL Car uses for its track day reviews is located well above sea level and the low air pressure can sap an internal combustion engine of some power. As such, they could only ever manage a four-second 0-60 mph time for the C8 Corvette, which levels the playing field and perhaps even tips the odds in the Tesla’s favor.
Curious to see which of these ridiculously quick vehicles is faster in the quarter-mile? Place your bets and check out the video embedded below to find out.
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Comments
As a general rule, a naturally aspirated combustion engine will lose 3% of its power for every 1,000 ft of elevation gain. The video states that the HP of the Vette and the T are very similar, and yet the test conditions are invalid to make such a claim. Go rerun the test at sea level and the result will be quite different.
When an EV wins a cross country Cannonball Run vs ICE, then I will take note. Until then, not so much.
Exactly, while I won’t turn down E/V for daily transportation, it’s still a while until E/V meets ICE for instant availability.
Why? Why do this? Comparing apples and oranges….two completely different types of vehicles and so the results may or may not surprise…uh, no one! Although a Corvette owner myself over the years and currently, I have a lot of respect for the modern EV’s…they can do an amazing job of transportation and do it with Zero Emissions, a modern feat indeed!
However, because “everyone takes their coffee just a little bit different” doing this sort of “taste test” (no pun intended) is a waste of time…probably fun for the test drivers (looks like fun to me!) but seriously, why! I’ve driven my Corvettes all over the USA at various times (uh, no snow or ice, thank you very much) and even here in good old “SoCal” where you can drive your vehicle 24/7 365 days year…I know better than to challenge certain “EV’s” on the street…they’re downright quick and why give them “something to brag about”…in a straight line. But make ’em have to do some “canyon carving” and they tend to back off and go back to their daily routine doing what they do best…city transportation, safely and cleanly, while I get to go home with the bragging rights, this time. All in fun…sometimes you get tired of apples, so you reach for an orange and you know what…it can be just as refreshing and tasty. Good to have both choices available, don’t ‘ya think?
I wonder why drag rules separate classes by fuel? You would like nitro running against alcohol or gasoline!
What an absolute mismatch. Here you have a very pedestrian, relatively median cost 4 door 5 passenger sedan racing against a very expensive ( $85,000 ) two passenger Sports car and then claiming only by a nose. For an even greater mismatch I don’t know why you wouldn’t have but the Corvette up against a Nissan Leaf, then you could have claimed an even greater difference than “by a nose”. Another claim that might have made an even greater difference than “by a nose” if the Tesla drive would have weighed in at about 150 pounds. Another thought, to create an even greater differential might be to add a 1000 pound battery equivalent weight to the Corvette.
Because of the nearly instantaneous torque available in an EV, the ICE car is always at a disadvantage in a pointless 0-60 sprint. Put them both on a track and have a go. A Tesla roadster would probably give the C8 a hard time of it, for a few laps anyway. But I suspect that a Model Y would be on its roof if it tried to stay with the C8 through the twisty bits…..
Not to mention the traction of all wheel drive. Talk about a handicap! When the Eray comes out from n 4 wheel drive guise then you will have something compare and do it at sea level.
lets see how the e vehicle performs with the performance platform with adjustment for electric motor weight and balance , will be interesting .
I prefer to be able to hear the birds rather than that nasty sounding Corvette Stingray. Next race: Corvette Stingray vs. Hummer EV Edition 1 ! Ya baby!
Stupid race. Battery performance is not affected by altitude, but petrol is. So the Corvette was hampered significantly by the high altitude location rendering the comparison unfair. At any normal location, the Corvette is significantly faster 0-60MPH at a typical 2.8 seconds.
All Corvette lovers: It’s just an interesting race, that’s all. Just curiosity! Some articles say the Vette is 2.3 sec 0-60. Some say 3.8. This will tick you off: I have a 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio (3.2, 0-60) and I blew off a C8 (ouch). My wife and I test drove a “ludicrous” (sp) Tesla. I’m not scared of anything, and it took my breath away trying to get to full speed. Something about not hearing the engine roar is spooky. Even my wife said she liked the sound of my Alfa better.
All this doesn’t matter does it? To each there own and more power to them. I don’t want a 2 seater anything, but the Corvette is absolutely beautiful.
Ridiculous comparison and only further encourages certain Tesla drivers to act irresponsibly on city streets. Like most people mentioned, put them on a track and it will be over in 3 laps. I also find it funny, how Tesla price is so much higher, for just barely keeping up. A model y at $92,000 CAD vs a stingray at $74,000 CAD, doesn’t make much sense financially. Even a C7 (proud owner of one) is even cheaper ($63,000 for a 2019) and the hp ratio to dollars is much more attractive.
Both vehicles have their place, but not against each other. Once Tesla is entered in Le mans, I’ll pay attention.