Corvette Z06 Vs. E-Ray: Old School Takes on New Age
The eighth generation, or C8, Corvette is a never-ending bag of tricks. Just when fans beheld a mid-engine Stingray in 2020 with a base model hitting 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds, Chevrolet outdoes itself with another set of killer Kentucky supercars. First, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 namesake returned, this time ditching the front-engine supercharged platform of past models. Then, Chevrolet made the most significant change to the Corvette since it went mid-engine: the hybrid E-Ray. So, how do they stack up against each other?
How much horsepower will the 2023 Corvette Z06 have?
The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette produces a tire-shredding 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The power is courtesy of a 5.5L V8 that sends its fury to the rear wheels. As a result, the Z06 is the most powerful car in the automaker’s 2023 lineup.
In comparison, the new 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray comes close but doesn’t quite out-muscle the Z06. Specifically, the new electrified ‘Vette produces 655 horsepower, just 15 shy of its historically-named sibling.
Is the Corvette E-Ray all-electric?
The upcoming Corvette E-Ray isn’t all-electric. Instead, the Chevrolet model combines a 6.2L V8 from the Stingray and a front-mounted 160-horsepower electric motor. The result is an electric all-wheel drive (eAWD) hybrid Corvette with enough grip to match its power.
It’s the first Corvette to offer AWD of any kind, a feature present in many neck-snappingly swift supercars and hypercars today. In comparison, even the range-topping Corvette Z06 3LZ sends all of its might to the rear tires, which can result in a loss of traction when applied sans finesse.
Is the 2023 Corvette Z06 supercharged?
While the new E-Ray produces power with a hybrid drivetrain, the Z06 returns to natural aspiration (N/A). That’s right; the 2023 Corvette Z06 isn’t supercharged. Instead, the American supercar packs a flat-plane crank, N/A 5.5L V8.
That’s not such a knuckle-dragging application, though. The Z06’s flat-plane motor produces peak power at 8,400 rpm. While that might not mean much to fans of the hybrid Corvette’s advanced architecture, any fan who wants their performance car to be musical will see the merits.
Which Corvette is the fastest?
The new Corvette E-Ray is the fastest Corvette ever. Even the Z06’s savage power and rigid structure can’t outrun the upcoming Electro-Vette. In Car and Driver’s testing, the Z06 ran a sprint to 60 mph just 0.1 seconds behind the E-Ray, which crossed the line in 2.5 seconds.
Both cars are similarly impressive in longer sprints; the Chevrolet claims the hybrid Corvette will complete a quarter-mile drag in 2.5 seconds. As a result, the new E-Ray could match the Z06’s 10.5 second-sprint. Car and Driver conducted the tests with a one-foot rollout.
How much is a Z06 Corvette?
The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 starts at $105,300 for the entry-level 1LZ trim. However, eager fans won’t be able to run to a dealership and drive away in a Z06; there could be quite a wait.
In comparison, the new E-Ray will start at around $102,900. That means the performance-oriented pair are the most expensive new Corvettes since the C7 ZR1.
Is the Corvette Z06 better than the new E-Ray?
With self-charging battery architecture, all-electric modes, and AWD, the E-Ray makes the Z06 look, well, antiquated. However, the Z06 represents a truly exciting American supercar with performance credentials and presence to challenge some of the most tenured names in the game.
