2023 Corvette Z06 Gives Modded Ferrari 488 Pista Fits for One-Third of the Price

This 2023 Corvette Z06 can’t quite keep up with a modded Ferrari 488 Pista, but then again, it’s way cheaper.

Much ado has been made about the fact that the 2023 Corvette Z06 punches far above its price point, which we’ve seen plenty of examples of since the mid-engine marvel’s arrival months ago. Time and time again, the latest Z has taken down many an exotic with a price tag several times higher, which only makes it more desirable in our book. However, the 2023 Corvette Z06 faced arguably its biggest challenge at Bradenton Motorsports Park recently when it lined up against not just a stock Ferrari 488 Pista, but rather, a modified one.

This showdown was documented on video by Brooks Weisblat of the Drag Times YouTube channel, and it’s an intriguing one, for certain. As one might imagine, the Corvette is stock – save for an exhaust and sport cats – which means that it’s likely churning out a bit more than 670 horsepower from its high-revving, naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter LT6 V8, which flows to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual clutch gearbox. Weighing in at 3,600 pounds, the Z06 in this particular video stickered for around $150k.

From the factory, the Ferrari 488 Pista is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 making an impressive 720 horsepower, but this example has both an aftermarket exhaust and a tune, which adds roughly 150 horsepower – bringing it might close to the 900 mark. That power flows to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with a curb weight of 3,380 pounds. It all sounds well and good, until we consider that a regular old Pista costs around $450k.

Right off the bat, Weisblat admits that he “bit off a little more than I can chew,” but his experience pays off right away, as he manages to cut a better light on the first run. However, the Ferrari’s sheer power helps it reel in the Corvette rather quickly, and it winds up winning by a couple of car lengths. When the lights are tripped, the 488 managed to run a 10.14-second pass at 137 mph versus the Corvette’s 10.57 run at 128 mph.

On the second run, Weisblat manages to stay ahead of the Pista a bit longer, but ultimately, that car’s vastly superior output once again nabs it a victory with a faster 10.06-second run at 137 mph versus the Z06 and its 10.52-second pass at 128 mph. A third and final run nets similar results, which aren’t terribly surprising by any means. However, considering the fact that one could theoretically buy three C8 Z06s for the cost of one Pista – not including the cost of the mods this one has – we know which one we’d choose.

.