Can a Hennessey C7 Take Down a Stock C8?
With a few modifications, the C7 is still more than capable of dusting the C8 in a drag race.
Second To None
You can't blame C7 owners for feeling a little left out these days. After all, the mid-engine C8 came along and changed the game, offering up world-beating performance and exotic looks for a bargain price. But those that prefer a front-engine Corvette or just the C7's looks needn't worry about getting beat by a new one in a straight line. All they need to do is dial up Hennessey Performance, as we can see in this video.
C8 Killer
The C8 Z51 shown here is completely stock, which means that it provides 490 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque and a 2.9-second or so 0-60 time, thanks to its traction advantage and quick-shifting dual-clutch transmission. Its opponent is a C7 Z06 fitted with Hennessey's HPE850 package, which ups horsepower from 650 to 850, and that makes it a verifiable C8 killer.
Big Difference
It's good enough to make this C7 hit 60 miles-per-hour in just 2.6 seconds, with the quarter-mile coming in just 10.3 clicks at 136 mph. But is that enough to make a huge difference in the way these two rather different cars stack up against each other in a series of races? Well, yes, it is.
Bus Lengths
The first roll race starts at 30 mph, and the C8 actually manages to jump out on the C7 for just a split second. But it's all over after that, as the hopped-up C7 leaps ahead and puts multiple car lengths on the newer Corvette by the time the two cross the finish line.
Display of Power
To try and even things up a little, Hennessey starts the C7 from a dig and lets the C8 come in at 30 mph for the next race. But the C7 still reels in the new car at around 130 mph, flexing its major horsepower advantage in a true display of power.
Not Fair
Most will say that this isn't a fair fight, and they'd be right. After all, the C7 is packing a ridiculous advantage in the form of 360 extra horsepower, which is more than most road-going cars have all together. But in a race, all that matters is the win, right?
Coming Soon
This certainly isn't the end, either. Soon, someone will crack the C8's code and we'll see some insanely fast new Corvettes rolling around. Then, tuners like Hennessey will have to cook up something extra special to help the C7 keep up.
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