C8 Z06 Hits 154 MPH in Half-Mile, but Is That Too Slow?

The C8 Z06 is limited by its gearing and aero, but should we expect more from it regardless?

Pretty much all of the numbers associated with the new C8 Z06 Corvette are big – 670 horsepower, a price tag of well over $100k, and a manufacturer-estimated 0-60 time of just 2.6 seconds. Those are impressive figures by anyone’s measure, making the new C8 Z06 a rather desirable product, to say the least. However, YouTuber Austin Everett behind the Speed Phenom channel has already taken delivery of his shiny new car and wasted no time putting it on the dyno and most recently, out for some half-mile racing.

As we can see in the video, Everett reaches a speed of 153.9 miles-per-hour on his first run, and backs that up with an even faster 154.43 mph on the second run. For many, these numbers may be somewhat difficult to discern, particularly for those that don’t pay any attention to half-mile racing. However, according to more than a few people that have chimed in via this Corvette Forum thread, the numbers aren’t exactly what one might call impressive.

“For those that don’t track half-mile events, a quick search found that a stock McLaren 720S does 174 mph. In this event, a stock M5 CS did 154 mph,” said oaktreebc. “For a reference, in the same price range and the same first name, the 2019 Corvette ZR1 did 165 mph,” added rob62.

As many members point out, while this may be a somewhat disappointing result, it’s also totally expected. “Pretty much in the same range that stock C7 Z06s run the half-mile, which is better than what I was worried it would do, given its gearing,” said OnPoint. “When you go 131 mph in the first 1/4 mile and only get another 20+ in the second 1/4 mile it is one of two things or both – aero/drag or gearing,” added Austin Vetter. “With the Z06, it’s both. Drag is to be expected because it’s a track car with aero. But the gearing is another story. You can’t expect stellar numbers with three overdrive gears out of eight. The car needs close ratio gearing to take advantage of that horsepower. It is what it is. It’s a great car but it could be a little better.”

We could certainly expect more out of a car touting the kind of power and tech that the C8 Z06 possesses, of course, but we’re curious to hear what you think about this hot topic. So be sure and head over here to chime in with your thoughts on the new track-focused Corvette’s half-mile speed!

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