Corvette Versus Mustang: Battle of the Titans (Torque Tuesday Presented by Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus)

Performance giants and rivals C8 Corvette and Ford Mustang Mach-E GT hit the track; but can the new electric pony take down a ‘Vette?

Chevy and Ford have long been the Hatfield and McCoys of American cars. Their rivalry is especially thrilling when it comes to the high-performance sporty rides: the Corvette and the Mustang. Todays mid-engine C8 Corvette is arguably the most beastly of the lot. But Ford also made a lot of changes to the Mustang Mach-E GT. Electrified, it still can flex some muscle.

Now, some may scoff at the idea of a crossover-design EV beating a slick, sports car. So to truly compare the two cars, it comes down to the track. This week’s Torque Tuesday features the two icons battling it out.

Edmunds heads to the track with hosts Ryan ZumMallen and Travis Langness behind the wheel. Langness is piloting the C8, and calls this throwdown “good old American V8 versus brand-new American EV.” ZumMallen is not as excited with his “four-door family sedan.”

He is joking, kind of. But he has the 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT Performance. With this performance package upgrade, there is more torque as well as components to boost performance. However, it doesn’t have a launch control system. But with 480 horsepower and 634 pound feet of torque going to all four wheels, don’t give it last rites yet.

But the 2021 C8 Corvette is lighter than the Mustang; and has an insanely good launch off the line. With the 6.2L V8, it makes 495 horses, 470 pound feet of torque.

We won’t give away too much, because the two cars get a workout. There are two drag races, a roll race, and track testing. Both perform well, and the C8 Corvette goes from high powered brute to lithe handling.

Okay, one spoiler. In the first race the Corvette clinches it. However, the Mustang Mach-E GT does have some power.

“And it was definitive. But it wasn’t a blowout,” says ZumMallen.

We have to say that the electric vehicles coming out have more oomph that anticipated. However, the V8 and the mid-engine design is revolutionary. Watching the Corvette handle the curves and challenges of the track is just so tasty.

These are genuinely exciting races, especially given how the C8 flies off the line. The Corvette and the Mustang have changed a lot over the years. But still, these classic rides are fast, powerful, and blazing into new territory.

Photos: Edmunds; Ford

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