The Chevrolet Corvette has been the go-to American sports car since the original was introduced in the 1950s. As the generations went on, the Corvette incorporated muscle car engineering with its sports car design and eventually became so powerful that it was likened to some supercars.
With the introduction of the C8 generation, GM moved the engine to the middle and finally put the Corvette in with the supercars – at sports car prices. The Stingray proved itself a worthy competitor to the supercar world but still has some traditional sports car values. With the introduction of the new Z06 model, this completely changed as the Corvette now not only drives like the supercars of Europe, it sounds like them as well. The new suspension setups and aero parts make the Corvette Z06 a ridiculously good supercar beater – for under $130,000. Not even to mention the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 ever made screaming its way to above 8,500 rpm, 670 hp, and about 460 lb-ft of torque.
The Corvette Z06 is almost a blast from the past as it goes like modern supercars, but sounds like an Italian thoroughbred from the 1990s. With all this performance on tap, the Z06 has some big competition in the supercar segment. Here are eight of its closest supercar competitors in 2022.
8 McLaren Artura
The McLaren Artura is the newest addition to the British automaker’s model list. It features a new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine mated to an electric motor to produce a combined 671 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. Like with the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the electric motor replaces the reverse gear on the car.
The Artura follows the typical McLaren design language but adds a layer of sportiness to it – much like they did with the 570S. McLaren claims a 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of around 205 mph. The electric motor also provides an all-electric range of around 19 miles.
7 Lotus Emira
The Emira is the latest Lotus model to make an appearance and will be the company’s last gasoline-powered sports car before embracing electric-only vehicles. The Emira will be available with two different engines and three transmissions. First up is the tried and trusted 3.5-liter supercharged V6 borrowed from Toyota which produces 400 hp, and secondly a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 from AMG producing 360 hp.
The V6 is available with a 6-speed manual as standard and an optional 6-speed automatic, while the AMG engine will only get the 9-speed dual-clutch from the A45S. The Emira is already being named the sports car of the year – even though it only recently started deliveries.
6 Maserati MC20
The Maserati MC20 is the Trident’s answer to the Ferrari 296 GTB – just with a different engine and a lot less power. The MC20 features a new Netunno 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic. The engine might have a new name, but it shares most of its construction and parts with the Alfa Romeo 690T – which itself is based on the Ferrari F154 V8.
The MC20 is a beautiful vehicle, spoiled a bit by the lack of engine noise. The driving dynamics are excellent and better than many automotive journalists believed it would be, but the distinct lack of any noise is a major negative. A Maserati is supposed to sing through the corners and not sound like a hairdryer.
5 Lamborghini Huracan
The Lamborghini Huracan is now officially on its way out with the final Sterrato off-roading supercar model. The Huracan was introduced in 2014 and was a bit underwhelming when compared to the larger Aventador. It did, however, prove itself to be a competent supercar worthy of the name.
The Huracan features the same 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 as the Gallardo did, but with power upped to between 580 and 640 hp – depending on the model. The best of the best is the Huracan Tecnica which incorporates all the best bits of the model into a rear-drive driver’s car.
4 Mercedes-AMG GTR
The Mercedes-AMG GT was the slightly smaller, slightly cheaper replacement for the SLS AMG grand tourer from the early 2010s. The AMG GT was available in multiple different trims, including GTS, GTC, and the controversial one, the GTR. AMG then upped the ante and created the AMG GT Black Series – the most hardcore car AMG has ever made.
The GT Black features the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 as the normal GT, but the power increased to a substantial 720 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Many have called the AMG GT Black ‘a McLaren 720S, but with the engine in the front’. The Black Series’ biggest visual asset is the massive, chassis-mounted double spoiler on the back.
3 Acura NSX Type-S
The Acura NSX is a car that was requested to make a return for decades after the first-generation models were discontinued. The NSX finally reemerged in 2016, but rather than being a mid-engine sports car to take on the best in the class, it was a supercar with a twin-turbo V6 and a hybrid drivetrain.
The NSX officially ended production in 2021 due to low sales, but to get some interest back into the model, Honda released a Type-S trim with updated styling and more power, boosting output to 600 hp from the 3.5-liter V6. The Type-S is limited to just 300 units worldwide, and all of them have been spoken for.
2 GMA T.33
The GMA T.33 is the smaller, less powerful version of the GMA T.50, Gordon Murray’s newest assault on the supercar world. Unlike the T.50 which is a spiritual successor to the legendary McLaren F1 with its three-seat layout, the T.33 will feature a more conventional two-seat layout to compete with more normal rivals.
The T.33 will feature the same 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 as the T.50 but detuned to ‘just’ 607 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the T.50, the T.33 will also have the option of an automatic transmission. The T.33 would be a pretty good rival to the Corvette Z06, both in performance and engine sound.
1 Ferrari 458
The Ferrari 458 is the car that is closest to the Corvette Z06 as it was used as the baseline for the project. Like the ‘Vette, the 458 has a naturally aspirated V8 which held the record as the most powerful naturally aspirated production engine – before AMG took the award back with the SLS Black Series. Now the accolade is owned by the Corvette Z06.
The 458 is widely regarded as one of the best Ferraris ever made, with all three presenters of Old Top Gear liking it and using it whenever they can. James May has even owned two of them. The Corvette may have more power, but a proper head-to-head between it and the 458 would be an excellent test, proving that the US is finally on par with Europe in terms of automotive engineering.