When it comes to street-legal track performance, things just keep getting crazier. The new C8 Chevy Corvette Z06 is a prime example of this, packing the high-revving, naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 just behind the cabin, copious aero components on the body, and an acre of sticky rubber to put the power to the pavement. Now, the C8 Corvette Z06 is going head-to-head with two German heavyweights in a track battle against the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and BMW M4 CSL.
Hosted by Hagerty’s Jason Cammisa, the showdown takes place at the famous Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California, specifically the high-speed Big Willow road course. With a total of nine turns laid out across 2.5 miles of track, Big Willow mixes elevation changes, sweeping turns, and technical corners to challenge both driver and vehicle. Confidence in high-speed dynamics is key to setting a fast lap here.
Taking the wheel of each vehicle is professional racing driver Randy Pobst, whose resume includes championship wins in the SCCA World Challenge GT series, as well as a pair of class wins in the 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race.
The format for this lap battle puts Pobst in the hot seat as he sets a fast lap in each of the three cars, with the fastest runs then compiled into a single lap to demonstrate where each car is strongest and where each is weakest.
Indeed, the new C8 Corvette Z06 certainly has its work cut out for it against the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and BMW M4 CSL. Aiding it in this endeavor is the optional Z07 package, which adds in track-oriented upgrades like a carbon fiber splitter, dive planes, and rear wing, unique suspension, Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires, and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes.
Even so, the competition is out for blood. Will the new Corvette Z06 be able to hold its own? Hit play to find out:
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Comments
That BMW has a face like a naked mole rat.
Agree.…looks like a modern 1958 Edsel.
Brought to you by Porsche.
The video was difficult to watch, the narration and graphics were painful. Need more car and less BS. With good video coverage I can see what’s happening.
Interesting to see same test when temperatures are not freezing.
Looks like BMW needs to go back to the drawing board ! The zo6 is definitely the best bang for the buck ! And a much nicer car inside and out !
Before I was 23 years old I owned Corvettes and I owned Porsches. I am now 72 and last month I just sold my 2014 Porsche. I miss that car already.
I also am aware never to say anything negative about a Corvette or any pickup truck because owners of these vehicles have conniptions and pout. But in this particular case and the scenario that it was presented the Corvette lost, get over it.
To pacify the Corvette crowd, yes if this race was a drag race in a straight line, the Corvette would win. Too bad every road isn’t in a straight line for the Corvette folks.
However to put it in another perspective, think about racing as a war: would you rather be sitting in a U.S. Abrams tank that cost $3 million each or would you rather be in a Russian T-72 or T-80 that only costs $1 million? If you can’t afford to win you can’t afford to race. I guess that’s why there are “lower” classes for the not as competitive race cars.
Finally, how long do you think that it will be before gm pulls their engineers off the Corvette projects? Gm has broken my heart too many times in the past abandoning cars that were never fully developed or optimized.
A fool and his money shall soon part ways. You can always find someone that is willing to pay more for a car ( in this example ) than it is worth. Porsche does this very well.
A “fool”? Before I turned 23 I worked full time and went to school full time because my parents were too poor to pay for college. After two years of burning the candle at both ends (I was 20 years old) I decided to take a pause from school and I was drafted almost immediately. It was the only lottery that I ever won.
I spent the next two years (actually 28 months because I volunteered for something during Vietnam) in the U.S. Army. If you didn’t spend your money on drugs and since where I was stationed there was no place to spend it on you could actually leave the service with a good nest egg. When my “ETS” date finally arrived the first thing that I bought was a brand new Porsche as a reward to myself for surviving.
One lesson that I learned was what it takes to win and there isn’t a prize for second place.
Do not dislocate your arm patting yourself on the back there are a lot of us that have traveled bumpy roads in life you are not alone. BTW you do not have to pacify me being a CORVETTE guy I can afford a PORSCHE they are just not my first choice. You sound like a PORSCHE guy.