The gorgeous Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray is taking on the epic Ford Mustang GT S550-gen in the quarter mile. Like any other thrilling drag race, this duel for supremacy on the asphalt is full of drama, suspense and amnesiac twists. In this episode, one of our protagonists has a rather slow reaction time, while another makes serious mistakes during takeoff, when it matters most. But who does what?
The first two races were held at Mission Raceway Park in British Columbia, Canada. In the first, the Ford Mustang started first, while the Chevy sports car was late. However, when it was over, the Stingray finished in 11.68 ticks at 118.73 miles or 191 kilometers per hour, while the Mustang did 12.20 seconds at 126.69 mph or 204 km/h. One point for the late red Corvette.
Then, two other similar models went head-to-head on the same track, and this is where things get complicated. The Mustang had its eye on the prize and burned its tires as soon as the light turned green. On the other side of the track, the Stingray driver must have accidentally hit the “reverse switch” because instead of going forward, it went the other way.
This apparent human error at the start allowed the Ford muscle car to complete the course in 11.96 seconds at 119 mph or 191.5 km/h, while the Chevy sports car took the checkered flag in 13.05 seconds at 111 mph or nearly 179 km/h.
Next up, YouTube sensation “Wheels” took to the battlefield of The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Here, the C8 Vette was more careful during the light change, leaving the Mustang in the dust. The Stingray crossed the finish line in 11.77 seconds at 113.41 mph (182.5 km/h), with the Ford muscle car posting a time of 12.88 seconds at 113.49 mph (182.6 km/h).
The RWD Corvette Stingray is a serious machine, both on and off the track. The 2024 1LT model has a powerful mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine that generates 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque. Add the $6,345 Z51 Performance Package and you’ll get a little more oomph with 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque.
The S550 Mustang GT is no slouch either, with a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine that makes 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm) of torque. If you want something newer, the 2025 Mustang GT Fastback’s V8 makes 480 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque. An extra $1,595 Active Valve dual exhaust system adds another six horses to the stable.
If you really want to splurge, the top-of-the-line Dark Horse model starts at $63,280 (MSRP), and while it retains the same torque figures, this dark pony makes 500 horsepower. The Dark Horse Premium model is even more expensive, starting at $68,275.
It's no secret that Chevy supercar fans are quietly (or very loudly) awaiting the “unholy” arrival of the beastly new 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 with all of its unexpected 1,064 horsepower (1,064 lb-ft) and 828 lb-ft (1,122 Nm) of rear-end torque. The 5.5-liter LT7 Double crankshaft The twin-turbo V8 engine and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission feel lethal in the quarter mile.
But until this superb piece of pure American engineering rolls out of the factory and onto the drag strip, we can still enjoy the more modest and simple Corvettes taking on a quarter-mile at a time.