Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 vs. Audi R8

Two of the most popular sports cars that have been developed in recent years are the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the Audi R8; in order to properly review and compare these vehicles, one has to examine them in terms of racing performance, engine speed, horsepower and more. The television show Top Gear featured a race between the two, each one designed to be driven at high speeds over short or medium distances. What follows is a brief overview of the results of the race and a description of the specs for both of the cars.

Audi R8

The Audi R8 features 518 horsepower in the engine, which is amongst the highest of any engine available in a standard size vehicle today. The total engine capacity is over 5 liters as well, which is quite impressive in relation to many older generation sports cars. The result is not only absolutely impressive power and speed, but also a great quantity of torque capability as well. Because of these specs, the Audi R8 can easily reach a top speed of around 200 miles per hour. In terms of acceleration, the R8 is also quite impressive; it can reach a speed of 125 miles per hour in about 8 seconds.

With all of its amazing engine specifications and abilities, the car is priced quite expensively; in the United Kingdom, it costs well over 100,000 pounds for a fully adjusted vehicle. This is one area in which the Corvette ZR1, the competitor vehicle in this particular episode, has a distinct advantage over the Audi R8.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has a supercharged engine with a capacity of 6.2 liters. Additionally, it has roughly 640 horsepower. The combination of these two engine specifications means that the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is considerably faster and has much better acceleration capability than the Audi R8. An additional factor that helps the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to have the best acceleration possible is that it is made out of a plastic frame. The plastic is lighter than a metal frame would be, meaning that it can move much more quickly.

The Race

The results of the race on the episode of Top Gear were conclusive; the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 beat the Audi R8 by a considerable margin. This is no surprise. However, the long term results of a comparison of these two cars must take into consideration other factors. The Audi R8 is arguably designed to be more sturdy and stable over the long term. It also features unique add-ons and modifications like a large trunk space and a shelf behind the seats that allows for additional storage. Finally, the Audi R8 is generally more roomy than its competitor, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. However, the Corvette vehicle is quite a bit less expensive than the Audi, meaning that it will be better within the price range of most potential buyers.