M/T: Corvette ZR1 vs Porsche 911 GT2 RS

[kevm14]

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/porsche ... 91FFBF8F47

Written by Randy Pobst actually.

I already know how this is going to end but there is no shame in the ZR1. They are due for an architecture change to fix the problem...

[kevm14]

Do you ever wonder where this is all going to end? More power, bigger wings, better aero, fatter tires. Remember when the '90s Porsche 911 Turbo and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 hit 400 horsepower? We thought we were all going to die. Yet now we're close to doubling that. What hath the demon seed of technology wrought?

This is actually interesting. Here is my quick Corvette history on 400 hp. I probably did this somewhere else before.

1990 ZR-1 (LT5): 375 hp, $58,995, $113,945.21 today
1993 ZR-1: 405 hp, $66,278, $128,011.87 today (ZR-1 was a $31,683 option in 93)
2001 Z06 (LS6): 385 hp, $48,055, $68,536.48 today (wow, what a difference 10 years makes)
2002 Z06: 405 hp, $50,420, $70,750.27 today
2005 base Corvette (LS2): 400 hp, $43,710, $56,498.25 today. Even optioned with Z51 and stuff was only $47k or $60,750.81 today.

[kevm14]

By the way, that 05 C6 w/ Z51 was no performance disappointment. It ran 12.7 sec @ 113 mph according to C/D and pulled 0.98G. I don't know how much Z51 really contributed to the 1/4 mile time.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/20 ... -road-test

Oh wow, keyless pushbutton start was standard. I wonder if that is the same system the STS used in 05 (also standard).

But even though the C6 is better in every way, Chevy says it will cost roughly $1000 less than the C5. The base car will start at about $43,500 and comes standard with the six-speed manual, which was a $915 option. Our test car had the $1500 Z51 package, a head-up display, heated seats, and OnStar and would probably run about $47,000.

Take any sports car within 20 grand of the Corvette's sticker, and the Vette will flat smoke it. We think the Corvette may also prove a match for the upcoming $70,065 321-hp Porsche 911 and could very possibly outgun the $79,865 350-hp 911S. Oh, and don't bet against the Vette's earning another 10Best spot.

[kevm14]

Randy discusses RWD in the context of AWD, weight, complexity and, well, greatness.

The GT2 RS makes more power than any factory 911 before it. "Big deal," you say. "We've had 911 Turbos for years, and they've been gradually evolving through 400, 500, 600 horsepower, and they're fine. Nothing new." Wrong, Bratwurst Breath. This most-potent-ever 911 is two-wheel drive. The real magic of this machine is its ability to send 553 lb-ft of torque (214 more than the awesome GT3) to just the rear tires and turn it into acceleration—not wheelspin and tire smoke—without the added complexity and weight of all-wheel drive.

Also this.

The Corvette's great technological step forward is the way it never lost output from the boosted LT5 V-8. Unlike its predecessor, this ZR1 pulled hard the whole session. Credit this advancement to the 52 percent larger Eaton supercharger and more efficient intercoolers. However, the 755 horses in the ZR1 never seemed to quite pull like those of the GT2 RS and others in the 700 Club during our Best Driver's Car testing—both in the quarter mile and at the top end.

Yeah that's probably because only the LT5 is actually SAE-certified. The other cars are putting out more than they say they are.

[kevm14]

This was a really good article. M/T is lucky to have Randy.