Rather than your usual dig race or *insert speed here* roll, Edmunds likes to compare two given vehicles in a U-drag. As implied, it kicks off with a dig to the quarter mile, continues into a hard braking zone, includes a 180-degree turn, and concludes with a sprint back to the start/finish line.
This U-drag starts two extremely different vehicles from two extremely different manufacturers, namely the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray and the BMW M8 Competition. They're both powered by V8 lumps, although said engines couldn't be more different: naturally aspirated small-block V8 behind the passenger cell of the E-Ray versus DOHC twin-turbo V8 in front of the Bimmer's passenger cell.
Differences further include transmission designs. The M8 uses a torque-converter automatic supplied by ZF, whereas Chevrolet's first-ever hybrid Corvette features a dual-clutch box from Tremec. Believe it or not, said transmission is also used by the carbon fiber-tubbed Maserati MC20 supercar.
Having mentioned hybrid assistance for the C8, we should also mention that M8 continues to rely on the non-electrified S63 engine as opposed to the electrified S68 of the X6 M and X5 M. Said powerhouse will be used by the next-generation M5 sedan and station wagon in plug-in hybrid specification, resulting in the heaviest M5 yet.
Speaking of heavy things, it should come as no surprise that BMW's range-topping coupe weighs a bit more than Chevrolet's heaviest C8 thus far. As tested by Edmunds, the curb weights for these vehicles are 4,212 pounds (1,911 kilograms) and 3,942 pounds (1,788 kilograms), respectively.
Photo: Edmunds on YouTube
Edmunds claims that E-Ray produces 595 pound-feet (807 Nm) of torque, although the actual figure is 592 pound-feet (803 Nm). Chevrolet says the 6.2-liter small block develops 470 pound-feet (637 Nm) on its own, whereas the front-mounted electric motor produces 122 pound-feet (165 Nm).
As for the unassisted 4.4L twin-turbo V8 in the M8, which is known to make a bit more power and torque than advertised, the numbers are 617 ponies and 553 pound-feet (750 Nm) of twist. Otherwise put, the German automaker's flagship coupe doesn't stand a chance in a U-drag against the quickest-accelerating 'Vette as of May 2024. Or does it?
Over the course of two races, it launches harder than the E-Ray, but the Corvette ultimately proves quicker to 60 miles per hour: 2.8 seconds compared to 3.0 seconds flat. Quarter-mile times? Those would be 10.6 seconds – which is a tenth off the advertised 10.6 – and 11.11 seconds. Only 0.1 miles per hour separate the two in the quarter mile.
Due to its carbon-fiber wheels and lower curb weight, among others, the E-Ray pulls 1.43 Gs in the 180-degree turn as opposed to a hugely respectable 1.25 for the M8 Competition. Back over the start/finish line, the electrified Corvette asserts dominance once again, posting an elapsed time of 31.7 seconds compared to 33.3 for the BMW.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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