YouTube channel Speed Phenom took these V8-powered track machines to Buttonwillow Raceway and set timed laps. The results, though, are surprising!
As far as American-made goes, there is no rivaling the 2023 Corvette C8 Z06. It’s by far the best bang-for-buck performance car you can buy today. That being said, Ford has a special-run item that does make the Z06 sweat a little. The Shelby GT500, although discontinued, is an impressive attempt at a track toy by the Blue Oval. While it may not feature the latest and greatest like the Chevy, the muscle car does have a significant horsepower advantage and a few aero tricks up its sleeve.
So the question is, which one’s better? Is Chevrolet’s latest mid-engined track weapon still the undisputed performance bargain? Or does the GT500 smoke the all-American supercar to bits? Here’s Austin from Speed Phenom, settling the debate.
Austin took the cars to Buttonwillow Raceway and set timed laps, pushing these V8-powered speed machines to their limits. The results, though, are surprising!
Meet The Contestants: 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
What the C8 Z06 has that none of its predecessors could ever dream of is a bespoke-flat-plane screamer of a V8. Flat-plane V8s are up there when it comes to aural pleasure. The Ferrari 458 has it, and so do the Ford Mustang GT350 and GT350R.
As for the specifics, the 2023 C8 Z06 uses a hand-built 5.5L V8 putting out 670 horsepower with 460 lb-ft of torque. For comparison, the regular C8 comes equipped with a 6.2L V8 that’s good for 495 horsepower. In terms of transmission, an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic takes care of drivetrain duties, sending power to the rear wheels only. The car’s lighter too, tipping the scales at just 3,666 pounds.
Chevrolet has extensively tested the Z06 to take on many of its turbocharged competitors in the market. Acceleration is simply addictive—0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds and the quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds. That quarter-mile time is only about four-tenths of a second slower than the bonkers-quick McLaren Senna hypercar.
What’s more, a set of wider, stickier tires and more powerful carbon brakes are offered to help with better traction and a shorter stopping distance. Also, the track is now wider, aiding in better handling and sharper cornering. Opt for the Z07 package, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires are now replaced by stickier Cup 2 Rs, which is what Ausitn’s Z06 has.
Meet The Contestants: Shelby Mustang GT500
The Shelby-overhauled Mustang is no slouch either. While it may not seem as exotic as the Chevy, it does pack a hefty punch. Under the hood sits a 5.2L supercharged V8 putting out 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. The Predator V8 sits in a more conventional front-engined setup versus the C8 and its rear-mid-engined layout.
While the Mustang makes up for its lack of exotic appeal with more power, the muscle car, however, does sit on the heavier side—4,081 pounds, to be precise. That said, the GT500 in this test has the optional Carbon Fiber Track Pack. The $18,500 package includes Recaro seats, adjustable strut top mounts, carbon wheels, carbon interiors, and a few aero improvements.
Just like the C8, the GT500 also features a dual-clutch transmission, although instead of eight speeds, the unit makes do with seven. Ford claims that the Shelby GT500 is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds with a quarter-mile time of 10.7 seconds.
2023 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06 Vs Shelby GT500: Which One’s The Better Track Car?
Truth be told, both cars are phenomenally capable of hitting corners at triple-digit speeds. However, per Austin, it was the C8 Z06 that he felt more comfortable piloting. The mid-engine layout is far better than the Mustang in handling the race course. Additionally, the Cup 2 R tires and carbon brakes add more reassurance.
That, however, doesn’t mean the Mustang’s Cup 2 tires and steel brakes are underwhelming. In fact, he mentions the GT500 being the most lively of the two, indicating more driver involvement. Of course, the margin is pretty slim, given the Z06 is also a pretty exciting piece of machinery.
In terms of straight-line speed, both track toys are evenly matched. That’s pretty interesting, given the Z06 has 90 horsepower and 165 torques less than the track-special Mustang. Austin’s Buttonwillow session, however, clearly brought out the best in both of these cars.
All told, the 2023 Corvette C8 Z06 trumped the Shelby Mustang GT500 by over three seconds, which is pretty significant. The GT500 is a fast and capable machine—there’s no two ways about it. But it just doesn’t hold a candle against the mighty C8 Z06.
It’s also worth mentioning that these two cars were not lapped on the same day nor in the same conditions. So it may not win the title as the ideal head-to-head test. Also, the cars are privately owned and were not prepped, unlike magazine comparisons, where they are set up right to the T.
Sources: YouTube/Speed Phenom
