Sadly, production of the Ford GT ended recently following a years-long run that was extended due to high demand for the pricey, half-million-dollar supercar. Outside of the forthcoming – and also quite expensive – Mustang GTD, The Blue Oval doesn’t have a direct competitor for the mid-engine C8 Corvette Stingray, nor the more track-focused Z06. However, that didn’t stop CarWow from taking advantage of lining these two machines up against each other recently to see just how the two fare in terms of straight-line acceleration.
What makes this particular test a bit extra interesting is the fact that both of these cars are owned by familiar folks – the Ford GT belongs to the exterior designer of the second-generation model (not this third-gen example), Camilo Pardo, while the 2023 Corvette Z06 is owned by NASCAR racer, Navy Reserve Officer, and YouTuber Jesse Iwuji.
The C8 Z06 is, of course, quite a bit cheaper and easy to obtain than the Ford GT, with its price tag in this instance of $137k – quite a bit less than the GT sold for originally, and far less than it goes for on the second-hand market. Otherwise, both cars are somewhat similar in terms of output, with the the Z06 using the naturally-aspirated 5.5L LT6 V8 to make 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque versus the Ford GT and its twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 EcoBoost generates 650 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. However, while the GT tips the scales at just over 3,000 pounds, the Z06 is a hefty 3,600 pounds, depending on spec and options.
As such, this showdown makes for one compelling matchup – in the first race, the Z06 jumps out to an early lead, only for the GT to chase it down and take a super-close victory. After Pardo brakes early in the ensuing roll race, the two run it back and the GT experiences some severe turbo lag that costs it another win, though it does beat the Z06 in a 100-0 mph braking test. While one could point out that the Z06 is far cheaper than the Ford GT given how closely these two match up, it’s worth remembering that the GT is a far older machine – and with any luck, one day, maybe we’ll have a proper Z06 killer from The Blue Oval that matches it in price, though we aren’t holding our breath.
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Comments
We already have a Ford made Z06 killer, it’s called the Mustang GTD, with the rear mounted transaxle, the weight distribution is 50/50 or better, not far off a mid engine layout. Watch the Daytona 24hrs race where they go mano a mano for real for 24hrs. Even if the Z06 already has a year of racing under it’s belt, don’t discount Multimatic, they know how to put together a winning endurance racing package, as seen at both Daytona and Lemans a couple years back. As for the street version? It will have even more power (800hp is a lot more than the Z06’s 670) ) and better / active aero featuring F1 like DRS as it’s not encumbered by IMSA racing regulations.
Two way different cars dude.
No helmets for 11 second quarter mile runs and then going even faster to the 1/2 mile? VERY irresponsible. NHRA requires helmets for ALL sub 14 second passes in the 1/4 mile. I know, I know, it was not on a sanctioned drag strip. Both type of cars have been known to get upside down so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Who tests these types of cars by drag racing?
Suppose they would test a couple of Pro Stocks at Watkins Glen.