[VIDEO] Corvette E-Ray vs Corvette ZR1 from a DIG – A Tale of Two Launches

By
Keith Cornett
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6
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[VIDEO] Corvette E-Ray vs Corvette ZR1 from a DIG - A Tale of Two Launches


Back in the good old days, horsepower junkies had a saying that went a little like this, “There’s no replacement for displacement.” The phrase refers to the belief of engines with more cubic inches, the better the performance. But that doesn’t quite tell the whole story in today’s modern age when you have turbos and performance hybrids.

We now have a real-world test featuring the 1,064 Corvette ZR1 with its 5.5-liter V8 while the 655-hp Corvette E-Ray has 6.2-liters. The smaller engine in the ZR1 is equipped with two massive turbos that operate with nearly zero lag. But the E-Ray has its own power-adder with its 160-hp electric hybrid front motor which provides power to the front wheels.

So what happens when the two cars launch from a dig?

Lucky for us that we now have two videos that show what happens when the ZR1 launches first versus the E-Ray and then when the tables are turned and the E-Ray gets the hit. And it’s pure joy for Corvette enthusiasts no matter which camp you may be in.

The two videos come from the YouTuber named Power Tek Performance which features the two Torch Red Corvettes who faced off on a quiet country two-lane road.

Here is the first video with the ZR1 doing the three horn blasts and then taking off:


When the ZR1 has control of the race, it’s pretty much GAME OVER with only a select few other cars able to launch harder and faster than the latest King of the Hill. While we haven’t seen the video yet from DragTimes, we heard the Dodge Demon 170 got the better of the ZR1 at Bradenton Motorsports Park when the two American cars faced off. The E-Ray really has no chance with the ZR1 boasting the same launch control system while having 409 more horsepower, which reminds me of that famous Beach Boys song.

However, when the E-Ray gives the three beeps and goes, the tables are turned…at least for a moment. Actually, you’ll see the E-Ray stay out in front for longer than I thought possible. But as those dual 76mm BorgWarner turbos spin up, which by the way are the largest twin turbos ever fitted to a production car, and the ZR1 walks the E-Ray like its standing still.


This was a fun test between two Corvette enthusiasts, and it shows how both cars have their strengths…and very little weaknesses which are apparent until the two are paired against each other. And in that case, it comes down to the drivers and their reaction times.

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!


Source:
Power Tek Performance / YouTube

Related:
[VIDEO] Comparing a ProCharged E-Ray Versus a Z06 with Bolt-Ons
[VIDEO] Side-by-Side Comparison of the 2025 Corvette ZR1 vs 2019 Corvette ZR1 at VIR
[VIDEO] Another Round of Z06 Owners Driving the E-Ray for the First Time

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6 COMMENTS

  2. Some You Tubers try to build an audience by filming street races, reckless driving- and prosecutors have used these videos as hard evidence in traffic and criminal cases. Police have even identified license plates and physical descriptions, in order track down the said offenders and ultimately successfully prosecute them. Which may result in confiscation of the vehicles and possible jail time for the perpetrators of street racing crimes. “Stay safe, the life you save may be your own.” Many thanks, Ray

  3. In the race where the E-Ray does the beeps, the E-Ray is slowing when the ZR1 passes it.

  4. David D better take another look at that video, the Eray was shifting to another gear at the time the ZR1 flew by it, he was into it all the way.

  5. We are an E-Ray fan. Thanks Keith for posting the plant tours availability as we bought two tickets right away and they included a museum entry as well. Had a blast on the race simulator too. The plant tour was great. Got to fire off a yellow Z06 to life. The plant personnel and museum staff were great hosts.

  6. I have no doubt the ZR1 will be faster in the 1/4 mile and on a track, but I’m curious how they compare in actual 0-60 times. In my experience, the ERay often does better than GM’s posted time of 2.5 seconds, whereas most of the other Vettes have a tough time actually making their posted times

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