Lotus Emira Boldly Drag Races Corvette Z06, Instantly Regrets It

That's why I get bored of watching a one-make race series. I agree it's easier to reveal the differences between the drivers, but it's just no fun for me. I am also becoming less and less interested in watching drag races between road-going vehicles. It doesn't matter that people take cars through multiple runs, either from a standstill or a roll. These machines have more depth than just showing off in a straight line.

I am happy some content creators have gone the extra length to make more detailed comparisons, and Time Attack sessions are always an awesome way to go. Two well-known Canadians have spiced things up by doing the introductory drag race and then seeing what two cars can do around the racetrack. Today's video may or may not make sense to you, given that we're looking at two fairly different machines.

On the one hand, there's the Lotus Emira, which uses a Toyota-sourced, 3.5-liter V6. It's not an NA unit, as it uses a supercharger to churn out 400 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque. With a mid-engine setup and RWD, there's no doubt Lotus infused it with their racing DNA. Buying one new will set you back at least $100,000, about as much as the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (but considerably cheaper than the GT4 RS).

It weighs roughly twice as much as an old Elise, but it's still lightweight by modern standards. While everyone pokes fun at the new M5 for sitting at 5,390 pounds (2,445 kilograms), the Emira is much lighter at 3,279 lbs (1,487 kg). The six-speed manual should guarantee an exciting driving experience, but does this car have what it takes to consider going up against the C8 Z06?

Chevrolet's superstar is heavy at 3,799 lbs (1,723 kg), but that doesn't mean it cannot "fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee." The 5.5-liter, naturally-aspirated V8 is good for 670 hp and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque, and we all know the Z06 is a phenomenal competitor. From the get-go, it teaches the Lotus Emira a lesson in 1/4-mile racing as it storms into the lead, extending the gap across the finish line. Opting for a rolling start doesn't change the British sports car's situation; its only chance could be the time attack session. But let's not forget that Lotus built this car after years of experimenting with the Exige and the Evora.

Meanwhile, Chevrolet gambled a lot on trying to make something that resembled a Ferrari 458. And it looks like they've done a pretty good job at it. If you're an Emira fan, you might want to avoid watching the second half of the clip, as it could make you think about trading it for Corvette.