On a prepared surface, in perfect conditions, and with a clean launch, the S550-gen Shelby GT500 needs 3.3 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) and 10.7 seconds to clear the quarter mile. By comparison, the C8-gen Corvette Z06 is advertised with 2.6 and 10.6 seconds, respectively. In the real world, however, the manufacturers' estimates do not apply.
The good peeps at Edmunds have recently drag raced the GT500 and Z06. Not on a sticky drag strip, but on a dusty runway. Despite jumping the start in the second of two races, the 760-horsepower GT500 simply couldn't hold a candle to the supercar-shaming Z06.
The numbers are 3.0 versus 4.2 seconds and 3.1 versus 4.0 seconds to 60 miles per hour. As for quarter-mile ETs, make that 10.7 versus 11.5 and 10.8 versus 11.6 seconds. It should be mentioned the Mustang carried the most speed over the quarter mile, clocking a best of 132.4 miles per hour (213 kilometers per hour) compared to 131.7 miles per hour (212 kilometers per hour) for the mid-engine super sports car.
As opposed to a traditional drag race, Edmunds does things differently with their U-Drags format. In essence, it's a race to there and back, a format that includes a braking zone, a 180-degree turn, and a pedal-to-the-metal dash back to the start/finish line. Both the GT500 and Z06 recorded about one G in the hairpin turn, with the GT500 topping 1.09 Gs.
As for the full times, well, are you surprised the Z06 made easy work of the Shelby GT500 once more with a feeling? The flat-plane crankshaft V8-powered 'Vette needed 31.3 seconds, therefore ranking just behind the McLaren 765LT's 29.6 seconds on the U-Drags leaderboard. The supercharged V8-powered 'Stang is fourth, slotted between the BMW M8 Competition (32 seconds) and BMW M3 Competition (32.9 seconds) with a respectable 32.1 seconds to its name.
As expected of the force-fed V8 located up front, the Shelby GT500 carried more speed across the start/finish line, namely 148.5 miles per hour (239 kilometers per hour) compared to 145.2 miles per hour (233.7 kilometers per hour) for the naturally-aspirated Z06. Wider tires and the midship configuration definitely helped the Z06 in these races, but we also have to remember that it's much lighter as well.
The as-tested weight figures are 3,681 and 4,168 pounds, which convert to 1,670 and 1,891 kilograms in the metric system. Bear in mind the gearing of that Corvette is more aggressive as well. The final drive ratios are 5.56 versus 3.73 to one, with 5.56 being the better ratio for acceleration.
As you might have already heard, the C8 will soon get even quicker. The ZR1 is right around the corner, packing a twin-turbocharged version of the Z06's flat-plane crankshaft V8. As for the Shelby GT500, it's returning for the S650 generation in both coupe and soft-top convertible body styles. The supercharged V8 is likely to return as well, albeit with GT- and Dark Horse-like twin air intakes and throttle bodies.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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