In creating the 8th generation Corvette, Chevrolet ripped up the form book and dug deep to come up with something rather spectacular. After several months of anticipation, the C8 Corvette finally had its debut in July 2019 at a media event held at the Kennedy Space Centre. The sports car sported a completely redesigned profile but more significant was the car's mid-engine layout; a first since the brand was first introduced in 1953.
There's no way the C8 Corvette could have met the lofty expectations and hype that surrounded its reveal but it's come pretty close with supercar levels of performance all in an affordable package. However, this does not necessarily mean the Corvette is the ultimate track machine and several other options are worth serious consideration.
10 BMW M2 Competition
There is no questioning the fact that the M2 is arguably one of the best 'M' cars ever built by the German carmaker. That's saying a lot but the car has the stats and performance to back up the claim. The M2 Competition is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-6 turbocharged unit that spits out 405 hp at 7,000 rpm and a thumping 406 lb-ft of torque.
To harness all that power, there's a superbly engineered standard 6-speed manual transmission - something that's lacking in the C8 Corvette. Even if you opt for the optional 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, the BMW M2 Competition will still deliver bucket-loads of fun as you put it through its paces at the track.
9 Porsche 718 Cayman S
The Cayman may be the baby of the Porsche sports car family but that does not mean it's any less fun to drive. Over the years, the brand has built its reputation around an engaging driving performance and the Cayman does not disappoint.
The Cayman S relies on a turbocharged flat-four that puts out 350 hp at 6,500 rpm. It's some ways off the 490 hp from the Corvette but there's just something about the way the Porsche transfers that power to the rear wheels. It's lighter than the Corvette too and there's a super slick 6-speed manual option. Enough said.
8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
The Camaro has enough pedigree and performance to tempt you away from its sleek Corvette sibling, especially if you opt for the ZL1 1LE track package. That gets you a potent V8 that generates an impressive 650 hp.
That power transforms the Camaro into a beast on track with loads of drama that the Corvette can't hope to match. The 1LE track package adds other track goodies like wider tires, manually adjustable front suspension, and exclusive spool-valve dampers. As far as American sports cars are concerned, it doesn't get much better than that.
7 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
The hulking Mustang Shelby GT500, with its 760 hp V8 powerplant, may feel too much for those just looking for a decent run of fun at the tracks. That's where the GT350 slots in with capabilities that will tear your eyes away from the C8 Corvette.
The GT350, like its big brother, also packs a V8 but in this case, the power output is a more sensible 526 hp at 8,250 rpm. That's still plenty of power to play with and there are other qualities like precise handling and finely tuned suspension that will come in very handy as you whip the big pony around the race track. You'll have to hurry if you want a brand new one though as the model has now been officially canceled for the 2021 model year.
6 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
It is such a shame that the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider was discontinued after the 2020 model year. You can still find them around for sale though and should the opportunity arise, don't pass it up. The preppy Italian is so much fun to drive; think Miata but in a more premium package.
The car's 1.75-liter 4-Cylinder engine only makes a modest 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque but it makes up for that with lightweight and agile handling.
5 Audi R8
Yes, the Audi R8 costs way more than the C8 Corvette but what you get is a brilliant piece of German engineering; one that still comes with a naturally aspirated high-performance powerplant. The V10 in the base R8 delivers 562 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.
That power is fed to all four wheels via a crisp 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Audi R8 handles like a champ on track and then there's that gorgeously designed interior, complete with a virtual cockpit display system that feels so far advanced than anything offered in the Corvette.
4 Mercedes Benz AMG GT Black Series
This is definitely somewhat of an unfair comparison but if budget isn't a consideration, the AMG GT Black Series is the way to go. It carries an insane price tag that is about $40,000 more than a Ferrari F8 Tributo.
However, you can be sure you are splurging on one of the best modern sports cars out there today. In November 2020, the car lapped the Nurburgring in an astounding 6:43.61 to set a record then as the fastest production car around the infamous circuit. That alone should tell you all you need to know about the capabilities of this beast.
3 McLaren 570S
This British sports car has been around since 2015 but it does not look like it's going to run out of steam any time soon. It may not be as much of a daily driver as the C8 Corvette but it certainly has some bragging rights on the track.
The 570S packs a 3.8-liter V8 that cranks out a meaty 562 hp at 7,500 rpm. The sports car can hit 60 mph in a shade under 3 seconds but more impressive is its ability to rocket to 124 mph in about 9.5 seconds. The interior of the McLaren is also decidedly better put together and more ergonomic than the Corvette.
2 Porsche 911 Carrera S
A step up from the Cayman gets you behind the wheel of the 911 Carrera and here again, Porsche duly delivers with fantastic engineering packed within the now-iconic 911 body shell. The rear-mounted turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six is good for 443-horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque.
With such a huge power deficit, the Porsche would struggle to keep up with the C8 Corvette in a straight line but the Porsche arguably handles better and completely trumps the Corvette with a better interior design and build quality.
1 Jaguar F-Type R-Dynamic
The Jaguar F-Type does not get enough credit in the highly congested sports car world which is rather unfortunate as it is a great car. On the track, the sonorous note of the supercharged V8 would be hard to miss and that symphony alone makes a good case for picking the Jag over the Corvette.
However, the car is much more than the engine sound. The F-Type R-Dynamic has a V8 that generates 575 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. That power combines well with a standard all-wheel-drive for some impressive performances on the track.