Corvette Forum Reacts to Journo Who Declares GT500 Superior to C8

Today’s journalism is designed to draw a reaction, and this review certainly achieved that here at Corvette Forum.

Like it or not, we live in a society that loves controversy. And many media outlets feed off this, posting stories specifically designed to rile up the masses. In the automotive world, this is pretty easy to do. Especially when you’ve got two brand new, essentially untested high performance vehicles from rival manufacturers to debate. In this case, we’re talking about the C8 Corvette and 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

Even though these are two very different vehicles, Autoblog recently posted a review of the new GT500 which also declares it superior to the new ‘Vette. And as you might imagine, that didn’t sit well with Corvette Forum members. Member MoveOver started this thread by simply posting a link to the article and a quote pulled from it stating “the Corvette wouldn’t have a chance” against the GT500. And then, as you might imagine, hilarity ensued.

“He gives the GT500 a pass for understeer, then claims that a $64,995 Z51 C8 costs close to $90k,” said EasyLivin. “He basically says drag racing the car is a mess and doesn’t mention that the C8 will get to 60 mph a full half second quicker.The good news is that the GT500 will be motivation for GM to hold the line on Z06 pricing while kicking the GT500’s butt. Personally, I like Shelbys and Cobras. But it’s hard to get past the fact that a GT500 is basically the $90k version of a $25k car that people can rent for $19 a day. The GT500 compares to the Hellcat and ZL1 but will probably only take away one C8 sale for every 20 sales the C8 takes away from the GT500.”

Hard to argue with that logic. And as Warp Factor points out, the article doesn’t even use actual real world performance data to make a comparison between these two cars.

“It would have been nice if the article had listed some of the actual performance figures for both cars. Such as lap times and 1/4 mile times. Instead, it just lists top speed and an estimated 0-60 time for the Ford.”

Then, Phil1098 proceeds to shred this opinion piece even further.

“I do find two things interesting. One – the Tremec DCT. ‘The newly developed Tremec seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is programmed to perfection. Left to choose the gears itself, it picks the correct cog at every single point around a racetrack. Shifts on the straight-ahead are executed quickly and with a quick nudge. But if ever the transmission needs to shift under power in a corner, it’s performed so smoothly that it won’t upset the balance of the car. Using the steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles results in near-instantaneous shifts.’ So in the Corvette it’s not very good? What, Tremec let the idiot group work on Corvette and they assigned the genius group to Mustang?”

“Two – It weighs 4,200 pounds, yet. ‘On the very technical Outfield Road Course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the GT500 shrugged off both its massive heft and outrageous power. Lapping at race-car speeds while being as easy to control as a Miata.’ It shrugged off its weight????? So Ford has found a way to cheat physics and they have 4,200+ pound cars that feel like a Miata. When half the forum announced the Corvette at 3,550 to be biggest pig in the pen?”

Clearly, this article has achieved what it set out to do – draw attention. But our members certainly aren’t fooled. But still, we want to know what you think. Is the GT500 a C8 Corvette killer, or is it silly to even compare the two? Head over here and let us know!

Photos: Chevrolet; Ford Motor Company

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