Two of the most celebrated naturally aspirated sports cars — the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the Porsche 911 GT3 — recently faced off in a series of drag and rolling races, offering enthusiasts a rare head-to-head comparison between American muscle and German precision. The test, organized by carwow and hosted by Matt Watson, delivered close results that highlighted the contrasting philosophies behind both machines.
Under the hood, the 2024 Corvette Z06 packs a 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8, producing 646 horsepower and 595 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The test car was equipped with the Z07 performance package, which adds carbon wheels, ceramic brakes, and Michelin Cup 2 R tires. As tested, it tipped the scales at 1,714 kilograms and carried a price tag of roughly $175,000.
The Porsche 911 GT3 brought its own pedigree to the race. Its 4.0-liter flat-six produces 510 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque, sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed PDK gearbox. Weighing just 1,479 kilograms and priced near $185,000, the GT3 relied on its lightweight design and razor-sharp handling to stay competitive.
In the first drag race, both cars struggled for traction on cold tires, with the Z06 spinning off the line. Once warmed up, the Corvette found its footing, clocking an 11.1-second quarter-mile — narrowly beating the GT3’s 11.3-second run.
Rolling races flipped the script. The Porsche’s lightning-fast throttle response and shorter gearing allowed it to surge ahead at lower speeds, though the Z06 clawed back ground at higher velocities with its greater torque output.
The verdict? The Corvette Z06 may have won the drag race, but the 911 GT3’s precision engineering proved just as formidable — reaffirming that raw power isn’t the only path to performance perfection.
