C8 Corvette Knocks Down Tesla Hype Machine Several Notches

Electric may be the future for the Corvette, but it’s a satisfying sight to see the C8 Corvette lay the smack down on upon a Tesla Model Y.

Can you feel the electricity in the air? It seems like every day, another EV pops up on the marketplace. More than a few of these are high-performance machines, too. And with GM’s plans to go fully electric by 2035, it won’t be long until the C8 Corvette and its successors tap into the power grid, redefining performance once more.

And it’ll leave all those has-been Teslas behind, too. Not that the C8 Corvette isn’t already doing that today. Edmunds‘ Carlos Lago and Alistair Weaver recently pitted America’s sports car against the big, bulbous Model Y in a drag race. Let’s watch the Tesla hype machine get placed back in its line, shall we?

“These are both enthusiast-friendly, highly desirable, high-performance motor vehicles,” said Weaver. “So we thought we’d put them head to head and see which one wins.”

Speaking of motors, the Tesla has a pair of them moving all of the wheels with 465 horses. It also weighs as much as a boat anchor, and it’s a blobby crossover. The sexy C8 Corvette, meanwhile, packs the 6.2-liter LT2 V8 behind the cabin. Add in the Z51 package, and you’ve got 495 ponies ready to leave all egos in the dust.

“Who’s going to win between this drag race?” asks Lago. “I honestly don’t know. Model Y will definitely get the initial launch, but the launch control in that Corvette is pretty good. It is cold out today, and the tire temperature matters more for that Corvette than it does for this all-wheel drive Model Y. I suspect the Model Y will get the first part of the race, like the 30 or 40 miles an hour. Then, Corvette should slowly reel it in as the race goes on longer.”

And that’s more or less what happened. On the first dig, both machines get the launch, yet the C8 Corvette roars away with the win by a car or two. The second dig saw the Tesla get off the line and then some. Yet, despite the scuffed launch, the ‘Vette reels the blob back in to take the win. Finally, on the 35 roll, the blue bomber stole the show for the final time.

“I think we’ve proven that the Model Y is a fast, competent compact SUV, and the Corvette is a fast competent sports car,” said Lago.

Of course, we’d rather have the C8 Corvette over hype machines any day of the week.

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