[VIDEO] Hoonigan Got its Hands on a C8 Corvette Z06 for a Race with an Unlikely Competitor

For a while last year, the Hoonigan YouTube channel behind some of the most viewed automotive videos ever produced – most notable amongst them the extremely impressive and popular Gymkhana series – had a love affair with America’s Sports Car. It not only named the legendary C6 Z06 the world’s best bang for buck proposition, but it was featuring different modded ‘Vettes in its This or That drag racing series seemingly weekly.

Well, after a months-long hiatus, the flame might be reignited as the Hoonigans now seemingly have access to the Gemini Project itself. In the latest ToT video, it’s none other than Jesse Iwuji’s Amplify Orange base-aero 2023 Z06 makes its debut as the big guy in an improbable David and Goliath matchup. Lining up opposite the exotic flat-plane phenom is, wait for it, a Mk2 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The “hot” version of VW’s second-generation sensible hatchback debuted in 1985, making 100 HP and 105 lb-ft of torque from a 1.8L inline four-banger. This one… makes a bit more than that, but before we get to the particulars on the Hoonigan-ized GTI, it is important to note that while these little econo-performers don’t have much street cred here in V8 land, they have amassed a sizable following stateside, and a low-mileage example sold for a staggering $87,000 on Bring a Trailer early this year!

Back to the video at hand and the GTI that these maniacs think could possibly be a match for Chevrolet’s 670-horse tour de force. For starters, the roughly 2,750 lb. AWD hatch is working with over 500% more power than when it left Germany almost 40 years ago! So, with 600 boosted ponies (at the wheels!), its power-to-weight ratio absolutely shades the Z’s 5.28 pounds/hp, with each of its horses now saddled with fewer than 4.5 lbs. The super ‘Vette will have to compensate for this deficit in the finer details. For starters, the Z can exploit the Vee-Dub’s six-speed manual with its state-of-the-art dual-clutch auto. Down the stretch, it’ll also be able to lean on its aerodynamic advantage vs. the boxy Golf. Finally, there’s the professional behind the non-circular wheel of the ‘Vette to consider.

You won’t find any further hints here; go ahead and place your bets for this one-of-a-kind headscratcher, Corvette Nation. We’ll see you at the finish line!

Source:
Hoonigans / YouTube

Related:
[VIDEO] This or That: 550-hp C6 Grand Sport Takes on a 1,017-hp Raptor R Baja Truck
[VIDEO] Hoonigan’s Supercar Killing C6 Z06 is Complete, Races a Twin-Turbo Aston Martin
[VIDEO] Hoonigan’s ‘This or That’ Races a Nitrous-Powered C5 Corvette VS an 800-hp Nissan 240SX

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