Hennessey Performance compared the two to see which one was better.
The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has exactly the same engine and transmission as the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. This motor is huge: A 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that produces 650 horsepower (485 Kilowatts) as well as 650 pound-feet (880 Newton metres) of torque. Official figures show that the ZL1 can sprint between 0 and 60 miles per hour in only 3.5 seconds while the Z06 can reach the marker in 2.95 seconds. How do they compare in the real world? Hennessey Performance happened to have one each of them in their workshop so they brought them down to Lone Star Motorsports Park to compete.
It might be expected that the Z06 will outperform the ZL1, which is bulkier and lighter. They are very close matched from a low-speed second-gear rolling start. Although the ‘Vette has a slight edge, it is never more than half an inch. Add some corners and you’ll have bigger margins. The ZL1 lapped Nurburgring in 7 minutes 29.6 seconds. This is four seconds faster than the Koenigsegg CXX, and 2.59 seconds quicker than Shelby GT350R. In contrast, the Z06 reportedly sped around the Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 8 seconds. This is fast enough to make it one of the fastest road cars to reach the Green Hell.
Even with a circuit as long and the ‘Ring is so, 21 seconds is an insurmountable gap that shows the difference between a hotrod sedan and a track-focused supercar. The Corvette would have pulled ahead on a longer stretch than Hennessey could access, but not until speeds reached three-figure territory. The ‘Vette would likely win easily from a standing start. Let’s not forget about the Camaro. It is the fastest muscle car in the world. It is indeed one of the fastest three box-bodied cars on the planet.