Auto Journos Pit C7 Against the C8 to See What's What

Real World Testing

Thus far, all we've heard about the C8 Corvette is just how superior it is to just about everything else on the planet. At least the cars in its price range. But clearly, we have to see what the C8 can do in the real world before we crown it the greatest Corvette ever. Thus, Car & Driver recently pitted the C8 against a C7 at Grattan Raceway in Michigan to give us our first bit of data (of what promises to be a lot) to mull over. 

Photos: Car & Driver

Virtually Identical

On paper, the C8 looks like a ringer. After all, its mid-engine configuration should give it a distinct weight distribution advantage, it makes more power, and its CVT transmission shifts quicker. Otherwise, the pair was pretty similar. Both cars came equipped with the Z51 package and adaptive dampers, and C&D adjusted camber to GM's track recommendations on both cars. 

Photos: Car & Driver

>>Join in the conversation on the performance of the C8 right here in the LS1Tech Forum!

Ultimate Showdown

Both cars wore Michelin tires - the C8 Pilot Sport 4S, the C7 Pilot Super Sports. All laps were run with traction control turned off, the results recorded with a RaceLogic VBox LapTimer. C&D then hit the track with both cars, running a dozen laps of the 2.2-mile course in each for a good comparison. 

Photos: Car & Driver

>>Join in the conversation on the performance of the C8 right here in the LS1Tech Forum!

Close or Not?

Unsurprisingly, the C8 Corvette recorded the best lap time of the day with a 1:26.1. But the C7 wasn't too far behind, laying down a best lap of 1:27 flat. Just under a second sure doesn't seem like much, but C&D does point out that it's a bigger discrepancy than we might think. 

Photos: Car & Driver

>>Join in the conversation on the performance of the C8 right here in the LS1Tech Forum!

Putting It into Perspective

"Consider that after just a half-dozen laps, the C8 would cross the finish line as the C7 pulls onto Grattan’s straight," C&D noted. Which kind of puts things into perspective. Next, they analyzed each car's strengths and weaknesses in the various portions of the track to determine what makes them different. 

Photos: Car & Driver

>>Join in the conversation on the performance of the C8 right here in the LS1Tech Forum!

All About the Data

C&D's data revealed that the C8 was able to brake later in the corners and accelerate faster out of them than the C7, which isn't terribly surprising given their different drivetrain layouts. The C8 was also 3 mph faster in the 100-mph sweeper feeding the main straight, braking harder and registering higher g-forces in turn 8 than its older sibling. 

Photos: Car & Driver

>>Join in the conversation on the performance of the C8 right here in the LS1Tech Forum!

Instilling Confidence

And even though the end results were close, the feeling most certainly wasn't. "But such close lap times don’t remotely convey how much easier it is to go fast in the C8," C&D concluded. "It cuts more cleanly into turns, and its rear tires are more planted exiting them; the C7’s tail is nervous and twitchy by comparison. Indeed, the C8 feels as approachable on the track as it does on the road. That’s a rare combination, one worthy of respect. The C8 has ours." And that, friends, is a telling comment indeed.

Photos: Car & Driver

>>Join in the conversation on the performance of the C8 right here in the LS1Tech Forum!

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