Porsche 918
As it is now, the C7 Corvette is totally out of its depth when measured against the likes of the Porsche 918. As a mid-engine supercar (actually, hypercar), the Porsche 918 might just be the benchmark for greatness. The basis of the powertrain is a 4.6-liter 608-horsepower V8 mated to two electric motors adding an additional 279 ponies, for a total of 887 horsepower.
The C8 Corvette would need remarkable improvements in weight reduction and power production to come close to the performance of the Porsche 918. The Porsche hypercar hits a top speed of 210 miles per hour and hits 60 miles per hour from a standstill in just 2.5 seconds. The C7 Corvette Z06 is impressive at 2.9 seconds 0-60mph, but four tenths of a second is a lot to make up.
The Porsche 918 is virtually unattainable, though. With only 918 built, it is completely sold out. It sold for $845,000 new, but you’ll never find one for anywhere near that price now. A new Corvette is about a tenth of that price.
Lamborghini Huracan
The Lamborghini Huracan does not have a hybrid powertrain, but assuming a conventional powertrain in the Corvette, it would be the closest Italian competitor for the C8. The Huracan is powered by a 5.2-liter V-10 that is naturally aspirated, and at 602 horsepower, it’s close to the 650 horsepower from the current C7 Corvette’s rating.
Performance sets the Huracan apart from the Corvette, however. 0-60 is achieved in 2.5 seconds, a significant advantage. Handling is accurate and nimble thanks to the electronic all-wheel drive, a feature the Corvette has never had.
The Lamborghini Huracan’s base price is $242,000 in the US, about the price of 3 new Z06 Corvettes.
Ferrari LaFerrari
There’s no question that the top end of the hypercar category is the LaFerrari. If the Corvette goes with a hybrid powertrain, it will be an interesting comparison. The LaFerrari has 950 horsepower between its 6.3-liter V12 and the electric motor, and has been developed with much of the same technology that F1 cars use.
The LaFerrari makes it from 0-60 mph in 2.4 seconds but more impressively, it rockets to 186 mph in just 15 seconds. Its top speed is 217 miles per hour. The C7 Corvette Z06 doesn’t run anywhere close to those numbers, although its top speed of 185 mph is nothing to sneer at.
The number that makes the Corvette more attractive is the selling price. At $1 million-plus for the LaFerrari (if you can get one), the Corvette will seem like a bargain, even if it is priced at several hundred thousand dollars.
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