The new C8 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is getting a lot of hype recently. Whether it is throwing down big horsepower numbers on the dyno, or even getting a twin-turbo setup, YouTube content creators are testing the new Chevy Sports car in several different ways.
With that in mind, YouTuber Speed Phenom tests his Chevrolet Corvette Z06 in a new way by taking on the impressive Porsche GT3 at Willow Springs race track in Southern California.
Updated March 2023: With the recent release of the C8 Corvette Z06, many content creators are comparing Chevy's newest sports car to European exotics. We've updated this article to include a few more comparisons and answered if the Corvette is faster than a 911. Read on to see how the new Z06 compares to exotic supercars that are way more expensive.
A Challenging Track Day For The C8 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
We join YouTuber Speed Phenom on a chilly day at Willow Springs Raceway in California where he wants to put his Corvette Z06 to the test. It’s far from ideal conditions on the day with a surface temperature of only 40 degrees, spilled oil coating a large portion of the track, and he’s also daring to do this with tires that have already seen a full day of action on a track.
Despite all this, Speed Phenom gets his supercar going as quickly as he can. Gearheads will salivate over the signature growl of this naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter flat-plane V8 beast as it takes off. Then the decibel level keeps increasing each time he hits a straight and the viewer can almost feel the 670 horsepower of this mid-engine monster.
Impressive Performance Levels For The C8 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Speed Phenom soon gets his friend Tom’s Porsche GT3 in his sights and blazes past him on a bend after only two minutes of the video. He does later mention that this wasn’t a race between the two and that everyone on the day was there purely for fun and to learn the track. It’s impressive how he handles his Corvette Z06 around the track though. And he even manages to give a running commentary as he tackles a second lap and pushes his driving skills to the limit.
The End Of The Day For The C8 Corvette Z06
Eventually, he steers the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 off the track when he feels the front tires wear out. The YouTuber then gives a close-up of both the front and rear Cup 2 R tires and they are completely smoothed out on the edge. Speed Phenom believes that had he used new tires it would have given him the extra grip required to boost the performance of the car and shave off at least five seconds of his time.
He doesn’t match his fastest time in his crimson Corvette Z06 and manages just under 130 mph. Considering the frigid temperatures, the condition of the tires, and the oil spill between the first and ninth turn, that is still pretty good.
The C8 Corvette Z06 Crushes Modern Supercars Way More Expensive
One of the main benefits of the Corvette has always been that it produces incredible performance for a fraction of the price of its European competition. The C8 Z06 takes this to next level by offering a mid-engine setup and a high revving flat plane crank V8 similar to a Ferrari 458 Italia.
With that in mind, a logical comparison for the C8 Z06 is to Ferrari's last naturally-aspirated V8 sports car. In fact, YouTuber Emelia Hartford utterly destroyed a Ferrari 458 and a Lamborghini Huracan Evo in a C8 Corvette Z06 recently.
It's not only Europe that's having a tough time with the C8 Z06. YouTube channel Throttle House raced a Dodge Challenger Demon with the new Z06 and even with the Demon's horsepower advantage, the Z06 ended up walking the Dodge muscle car.
Is A Corvette Faster Than A Porsche 911?
To answer that question, we need to get into the specifics of what type of Corvette and what type of Porsche 911. If we're talking about the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911 GT3, Jason Cammisa and Hagerty answered this very question in a recent video.
In this case, the C8 Chevrolet Corvette is faster than the 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3. In the video, the C8 Z06 completely embarrasses both the GT3 and the Audi R8 V10. At a base price of $105,300, the C8 Corvette Z06 is proving to Europe that it can beat them at a fraction of the price.