EVs vs Supercars, Again
With electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S Plaid dominating quarter-mile races, it has become widely accepted that EVs can keep up with nearly any supercar under these conditions. But would that still hold in this particular matchup from Carwow, where a Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 faced off against a Rivian R1T that is roughly twice its size and belongs to an entirely different segment?
The Corvette Z06 is a track-focused, street-legal supercar with 670 horsepower from a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 and a curb weight of 1,685 kg (about 3,715 lbs). By contrast, the R1T is a utility-focused truck built for off-roading; this particular example features a quad-motor setup producing a combined 1,025 horsepower, though it weighs 3,170 kg (approximately 6,989 lbs).
Corvette Strikes First
The first race was a rolling half-mile run, which played to the Corvette Z06’s strengths, as the R1T’s instant torque and all-wheel-drive system can give the electric truck an advantage from a standstill. The rear-wheel-drive Corvette won this race, as well as the 100–0 mph braking test, and another rolling race from a slightly slower 10 mph start.
During the standing-start, quarter-mile races, the Corvette Z06 won the first two runs, even though the R1T initially launched harder. But after the Rivian turned off its stability control, the EV pulled off a comeback to finish the standing-start matchup with a 3–2 victory.
In the video, the R1T completed the quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds – 0.7 seconds quicker than America’s sports car.
Performance Isn’t One-Dimensional
Yes, there are much faster versions of the C8 Corvette, namely the ZR1 and ZR1X, with the latter using a twin-turbo hybrid all-wheel-drive setup that produces a combined 1,250 horsepower. However, the R1T Quad and Corvette Z06 occupy a similar price bracket, at roughly $120,000.
It is worth noting that the R1T does not necessarily deliver better overall performance than the Corvette Z06. In theory, the Chevy should handle corners better and carry more speed through them than the electric pickup, especially when equipped with the optional Z07 Performance Package. Still, even though the two belong to entirely different segments, it’s fun to see a traditional ICE car try to beat an EV at its own game.
About the author
Rex Sanchez
News Editor