The last few years have seen some truly outstanding performance cars arrive. The latest in the bunch is the new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. A few years ago, the Dodge Demon wowed everyone at the track, a drag-only monster packed with technology. Now go head-to-head with the Corvette in a new Throttle House YouTube video to see how the big Dodge fares against the high-powered Z06 coupe.
The Dodge Demon has a spec sheet that makes any other performance car crawl. Dodge’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8 makes at least 840 horsepower (626 kilowatts) with the right configuration, and produces 770 pound-feet (1,044 Newton-meters) of torque. That’s a significant advantage over the Corvette, but it’s also significantly heavier than the Chevy, weighing 4,280 pounds (1,941 kilograms).
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The Corvette Z06 has a smaller engine, a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 670 hp (492 kW) and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque. The Corvette’s strength is its size. It is much smaller than the Demon and lighter, weighing 3,434 lbs (1,561 kg). While the Corvette lacks power, its weight is an advantage in drag racing.
The Corvette got off to a terrific start, leaving Dodge struggling for traction on unprepared tarmac. The Demon was unable to close the massive gap between it and the Corvette, finishing several car lengths behind the Z06. The sheer amount of power from the Dodge’s 6.2-liter V8 is more than the tires can handle, forcing the driver to modulate power output with his feet.
The rolling race removed the Corvette’s weight advantage, with Dodge better able to put all the power to the ground. The Corvettes had a slight early lead, but Dodge was able to follow suit this time and close the gap between the two. However, Dodge didn’t have enough trajectory to get ahead, losing only a few feet.
The Dodge may have more power than the Chevy, but the car’s ability to use all that power is also important. Traction is key to racing, and that’s an advantage for the Corvette with the engine sitting over the rear wheels. Dodge wasn’t so lucky.
