C8 Corvette Drag Races Tesla Model 3 Performance, Cops Won't Prevent Landslide

You've just seen the Tesla take on a Porsche 991.2 GT3 on an Autocross track, and now it's looking to measure up against General Motor's finest - the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C8. We said 'finest', not 'quickest', but the C8 is still no slouch.

The mid-engine Vette houses a 6.2-liter LT2 V8 engine behind that pair of seats which pours out 495 hp and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends all power to the rear wheels. Classic mid-engine sports car with a relatively low weight of 3,373 lbs. (1,530 kg).

The Tesla Model 3, even in its performance guise, couldn't be more different. We're talking about a five-seat sedan with two electric motors powering all four wheels, delivering full torque in just the blink of an eye. We all know by now what Teslas are best suited for: jumping off the line like a horse stung by a bee - or a Tyrannosaurus Rex, more likely.

Sadly, the clip from ChandlerDavidSmith isn't the one that's going to give us a definitive winner out of the two. That's because the few runs you'll see were done simply for fun. The 'go on the third honk' start doesn't work well when you're after synchronization, so you'll end up with one driver jumping the start by a considerable margin. And in the absence of actual telemetry to time the runs, seeing which car is in front is the only way to judge a winner.

They race on the street so there's no fixed distance to race over either. The Model 3 easily gets in front, but could the C8 catch it before the quarter mile runs out? We won't find out today. What's perfectly clear is that the Corvette has no problem smoking the EV in a rolling start, which was expected, but should find a standing start a lot more challenging.

Make a mental note: white wheels and purple body is a good combination provided you have the right car to back it all up with some oomph.

Skip to 5:10 for the races.