[VIDEO] Battle of the C8s: E-Ray Takes on a Z06 at the Drag Strip

By
Keith Cornett
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[VIDEO] Battle of the C8s: E-Ray Takes on a Z06 at the Drag Strip


It’s a battle of the C8s as the first AWD Corvette E-Ray takes on the naturally aspirated Corvette Z06 at the Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey. These races between the two widebody C8 Corvette models have started occurring with more frequency, and we are here to say we want to see more!

While these two Corvettes look similar and are separated by just 15 horsepower, it’s how the cars make that power that is the difference in this race. The Z06 is an amazing machine powered by the naturally aspirated 670-hp LT6 engine with a flat-plane crank that gives it the ability to rev to 8600 RPM. The 655-hp E-Ray is powered by the same 495-hp LT2 V8 that’s found in the Stingray, but the E-Ray has the added benefit of its front mounted 160-hp electric motor which drives the front wheels while the V8 engine in the rear is responsible for the rear wheel’s propulsion.

We recently saw the E-Ray and Z06 face off against each other in three races on the DragTimes YouTube channel and the result was predictable with the E-Ray winning two races from a dig. The Z06 was only competitive when its driver got the hit – meaning the E-Ray driver waited for the Z06 to move before launching. Even then, the results was extremely close.

All-Wheel Drive is THE reason we were attracted to the E-Ray, which turns out to be the great equalizer on the drag strip. How many videos have I posted over the years (or didn’t bother posting at all) where a Corvette with more horsepower loses to a lesser vehicle with AWD? While the purists continue to put down the E-Ray because it has a hybrid battery system, there is no denying that that E-Ray is damn quick off the line.

Jumping back to this video, we watched the start of this race several times and to us it appears that both racer’s reaction times were pretty good, but the Z06 spun its rear tires at launch and that was all the E-Ray needed to jump out in front and take the win.

[VIDEO] Battle of the C8s: E-Ray Takes on a Z06 at the Drag Strip

From ImportRace via YouTube:

“Witness an exciting drag race between two of the newest and most impressive Corvettes ever made! This video features the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray going head-to-head against the track-focused 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C8 generation) at Island Dragway.

See these modern marvels of American engineering unleash their power on the quarter-mile. Will the E-Ray’s innovative hybrid powertrain and all-wheel-drive system give it the edge? Or can the Z06’s high-revving V8 and aerodynamic prowess secure the win?

Experience the roaring engines and the intense competition at Island Dragway!


Source:
ImportRace / YouTube via AutoEvolution.com

Related:
[VIDEO] Time to Trade? Corvette E-Ray Races a Z06 on a Private Airport Runway
[VIDEO] Corvette E-Ray vs Porsche 911 Turbo S in Quarter Mile Race on a Runway
[VIDEO] C8 Corvettes VS Mopar at the Drag Strip

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3 COMMENTS

  1. I have a strong “Guess” that the ZR1 will still be the “Top Dog” as a track-ready car…
    And the “ZORA” will be an E-Ray with a little bit of Power Boost and the Z06 {possibly with a power boost of it’s own..}
    I think maybe that Chevy does not want to put the weight of the E-motor in the ZR1 because that could Dis-allow the ZR1 for Racing {IMSA and others}
    But the E-ray with 250+hp in front[should not be too difficult to get 125 hp Each] and even a modest bump on the Z06 engine, and it could be an AWD Monster. Just thinking out loud.
    Certainly not something others have also considered. I just HOPE that the ‘new’ Corvette Team is thinking about it…
    Biggest Question?… Will the AWD give Better Handling? Or will it add too much weight, over the front, and actually Slow the Corvette or reduce handling quality?

  2. Why is everybody afraid to just come out and say “IT”. The E-Ray is the fastest Corvette ever built in a straight line to 1/4 mile until the “MIGHTY” ZR1 starts roaming the pavement. I’ve owned 18 Corvettes to date including 4 ZR’s & 2 Z06 / Z07’s & I’m not ashamed to say the E-Ray is the fastest to 1/4 mile.

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