The 2023 Corvette Z06 is often referred to as a supercar alternative, providing supercar levels of performance for a comparatively low price. To determine if the C8 Z06 truly possess supercar capabilities, the YouTube channel Throttle House tested a Z06 against a Ford GT to see how the Bow Tie’s track-focused weapon stacks up.
The 2023 Z06 and 2022 Ford GT faced off in a drag race and a roll race. During the drag race, the Z06 jumped out ahead at launch, but about halfway down the straightaway the Ford GT began reeling the Vette in. By the finish line, the Blue Oval’s supercar was about one car length ahead of the C8 Z06.
During the roll race, the Ford GT handled the Z06 with no issues, leading the Vette from the beginning to finish about 3 to 4 car lengths ahead. Clearly, the Ford GT has the Corvette Z06’s number when it comes to straight-line speed.
It’s worth noting that the Z06 costs many $100,000s less than the Ford GT, even after markups. In fact, the Ford GT isn’t even available to anyone who is interested, as would-be customers would need to apply to own one, and be approved by Ford to do so.
A surprise cameo in the video came in the form of a Ferrari 458. As GM Authority reported, Corvette engineers benchmarked the C8 Z06 against a 458 Italia during development and testing of the Bow Tie track machine. In fact, engineers benchmarked several vehicles, attempting to capture the soul of a 458 in the engine, and the driving dynamics of a Porsche 911 GT2 RS.
The video shows the C8 Z06 race the 458, and the two vehicles finished side-by-side.
As a reminder, the 2023 Corvette Z06 is powered by the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine, which can rev up to 8,600 rpm and develops 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Under the skin lies the GM Y2 platform, the same platform that underpins all C8 Corvettes. Meanwhile, production kicked off on September 19th, 2022 at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
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Comments
I don’t understand all of these drag races using road course cars. To each their own.
As someone that attacks road courses several times per year, this where its at.
BTW: The current Ford GT (~$500k), ran at VIR and posted a 2:38:62. It was the fastest time ever for that course. A week later GM ran the 2019 ZR1 (~$125k) around the same VIR course and posted a 2:37:25. Needless to say, the Ford guys weren’t too happy that their “Super Car” was beaten by a car costing 1/5 as much 🙂
Infamous – I agree, especially when they used the Z07 package. When they did an episode on the ZL1 against the GT 500 and Challenger Red Eye, they used the normal ZL1 for the drag race and the ZL1 1LE for the track. But I do have to say, I enjoy watching Throttle House.
Agreed. Throttle House does some great videos with great cars and the guys add lots of personality as well.
Amazing that the Ford design is essentially what it was in the sixties. Impressive.
The GT is similar in shape to the GT40 of the 60’s, but that is where it ends.
The new GT is made entirely of aluminum and carbon fiber. Also, the air now runs through the body, instead of around the body, making it cut through the atmosphere with ease. Like I stated above, this is partially the reason why it costs ~$500k; however, it was STILL unable to best the 2019 ZR1 Corvette at VIR.
Both magnificent cars, I do believe however the CORVETTE would have been closer without the drag of the Z07 wing.