The Big 3 - Comparing the 2015 Chevrolet C7 Corvette Z06, the Nissan Nismo GTR, and the Posche 991 Turbo S

[Sticky]

You are going to see these cars compared frequently. They are not exactly the same thing but they represent tremendous performance cars from their respective countries. You are smart enough to know what those countries are so we do not need to go over the basics here and can get right down to the meat and potatoes.

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the newest of the trio. The GTR at this point is riding the most dated platform but it can not be overstated just how admirable of a job Nissan has done in continually updating the GTR. The Porsche 991 Turbo S of course is the highest performance turbocharged 911 available these days.

All of these cars have forced induction powerplants but the GTR and 911 Turbo S have all wheel drive and dual clutch transmissions. Major factors admittedly versus the 7-speed manual rear wheel drive Corvette Z06.

Now, on paper, the Z06 should demolish these cars. Z06 performance has been very perplexing though as MotorTrend learned when they compared the Z06 to the Nismo GTR. Well, now it is Car and Driver's turn.

The Z06 is the lightest car here at 3530 pounds. It offers the most power and torque with its 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque supercharged LT4 V8. So why is it the slowest in a straight line? It isn't surprising the Z06 can not win 0-60 sprints against all wheel drive competition but trailing 0-150? And in 1/4 mile trap speed? The 991 Turbo S beats both but that also raises questions as Car and Driver previously got a 10.8 @ 126 out of the Turbo S in a 1/4 mile. Is this car a ringer? Or did Car and Driver suddenly master the ever so complicated PDK?

Something already stinks here. Regardless, the 991 Turbo S with its 10.6 @ 130 is the quickest and fastest car. The Nismo brings up the middle with an 11.0 @ 128. The Z06 trails with an 11.5 @ 125. Maybe Car and Driver needs the automatic Z06? Is it the drag of the Z07 package that is an issue again?

Acceleration isn't everything, right? The Z06 brakes better than the other two. It is better balanced being the closest to 50/50. Its skidpad number is an insane 1.15g. It has the best slalom speed. It has everything going for it.

So what wins on the roadcourse? We don't know. Car and Driver is 'saving' themselves for their Lightning Lap comparison. What is this, a freshman cheerleader on prom night? Give us the goods. MotorTrend put out, why can't you?

Instead we get a bunch of talk from Car and Driver regarding which car they liked the best. It turns out the Z06 is the car they liked the best. Its handling is described as next level and indeed it is. The Z06 is amazing when you do things other than accelerate which is why this network is pissed off we have no laptimes.

The GTR finishes in last and is said to feel dated. It is dated. That does not mean it still is not a hell of a performance car but when a Corvette Z06 feels more refined there are problems.

The 911 Turbo S finishes in the middle of the pack and perhaps it is time too for Porsche to re-evaluate this whole the 911 has to be the top of the food chain mentality. It did finish last in the slalom and perhaps having all that weight over the rear end is not the best for handling transitions. What would happen if they gave the Cayman the 911 Turbo S engine? Yeah, we all know what would happen. Porsche does too.

So, an interesting comparison despite Car and Driver not giving us the real goods. These days though, we don't like to be teased. We want to come away satisfied. This comparison does not provide that satisfaction.

COMPARISON TESTS

VEHICLE	2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06	2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO	2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S
BASE PRICE	$78,995	$151,585	$183,695
PRICE AS TESTED	$102,120	$151,880	$195,175
DIMENSIONS
LENGTH	177.9 inches	184.3 inches	177.4 inches
WIDTH	77.4 inches	74.6 inches	74.0 inches
HEIGHT	48.6 inches	54.2 inches	51.0 inches
WHEELBASE	106.7 inches	109.4 inches	96.5 inches
FRONT TRACK	63.5 inches	63.0 inches	60.6 inches
REAR TRACK	62.5 inches	63.0 inches	62.6 inches
INTERIOR VOLUME	F: 52 cubic feet	F: 53 cubic feet R: 26 cubic feet	F: 50 cubic feet R: 17 cubic feet
CARGO	15 cubic feet	9 cubic feet	13 cubic feet
POWERTRAIN
ENGINE	supercharged pushrod 16-valve V-8 376 cu in (6162 cc)	twin-turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V-6 232 cu in (3799 cc)	twin-turbocharged DOHC 24-valve flat-6 232 cu in (3800 cc)
POWER HP @ RPM	650 @ 6400	600 @ 6800	560 @ 6750
TORQUE LB-FT @ RPM	650 @ 3600	481 @ 3200	516 @ 2100
REDLINE / FUEL CUTOFF	6500/6700 rpm	7000/7000 rpm	7000/7200 rpm
LB PER HP	5.4	6.5	6.4
DRIVELINE
TRANSMISSION	7-speed manual	6-speed dual-clutch automatic	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
DRIVEN WHEELS	rear	all	all
GEAR RATIO:1/ MPH PER 1000 RPM/ MAX MPH	1. 2.29/9.8/66 2. 1.61/13.9/93 3. 1.21/18.5/124 4. 1.00/22.4/150 5. 0.82/27.3/183 6. 0.68/32.9/185 7. 0.45/49.8/175	1. 4.06/5.3/37 2. 2.30/9.4/66 3. 1.60/13.6/95 4. 1.25/17.3/121 5. 1.00/21.6/151 6. 0.80/27.2/191	1. 3.91/5.9/42 2. 2.29/10.0/72 3. 1.58/14.6/105 4. 1.18/19.4/140 5. 0.94/24.4/176 6. 0.79/29.2/198 7. 0.62/36.9/180
AXLE RATIO:1	3.42	3.70	3.44
CHASSIS
SUSPENSION	F: control arms, leaf spring, anti-roll bar R: control arms, leaf spring, anti-roll bar	F: control arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar R: multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar	F: struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar R: multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES	F: 15.5-inch vented, cross-drilled, ceramic disc R: 15.3-inch vented, cross-drilled, ceramic disc	F: 15.4-inch vented, cross-drilled disc R: 15.0-inch vented, cross-drilled disc	F: 16.1-inch vented, cross-drilled, ceramic disc R: 15.4-inch vented, cross-drilled, ceramic disc
STABILITY CONTROL	fully defeatable, traction off, competition mode, launch control	fully defeatable, competition mode, launch control	fully defeatable, launch control
TIRES	Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 ZP F: P285/30ZR-19 (94Y) R: P335/25ZR-20 (99Y)	Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT F: 255/40ZRF-20 (97Y) R: 285/35ZRF-20 (100Y)	Pirelli P Zero F: 245/35ZR-20 (91Y) R: 305/30ZR-20 (103Y)
C/D TEST RESULTS
ACCELERATION
0–30 MPH	1.6 sec	1.2 sec	1.0 sec
0–60 MPH	3.3 sec	2.9 sec	2.5 sec
0–100 MPH	7.5 sec	6.6 sec	6.2 sec
0–150 MPH	17.9 sec	15.8 sec	14.9 sec
¼-MILE @ MPH	11.5 sec @ 125	11.0 sec @ 128	10.6 sec @ 130
ROLLING START, 5–60 MPH	4.0 sec	3.8 sec	3.4 sec
TOP GEAR, 30–50 MPH	13.9 sec	3.8 sec	2.1 sec
TOP GEAR, 50–70 MPH	10.8 sec	3.0 sec	2.3 sec
TOP SPEED	185 mph (drag ltd)*	191 mph (redline ltd)	198 mph (drag ltd, mfr's claim)
CHASSIS
BRAKING 70–0 MPH	135 feet	152 feet	145 feet
BRAKING 100–0 MPH	261 feet	275 feet	291 feet
ROADHOLDING, 300-FT-DIA SKIDPAD	1.15 g	1.02 g	1.07 g
610-FT SLALOM	50.1 mph	48.2 mph	48.1 mph
WEIGHT
CURB	3530 pounds	3894 pounds	3590 pounds
%FRONT/%REAR	50.3/49.7	54.3/45.7	38.8/61.2
FUEL
TANK	18.5 gallons	19.5 gallons	18.0 gallons
RATING	91 octane	93 octane	93 octane
EPA CITY/HWY	15/22 mpg	16/23 mpg	17/24 mpg
C/D 450-MILE TRIP	13 mpg	12 mpg	14 mpg
SOUND LEVEL
IDLE	60 dBA	54 dBA	55 dBA
FULL THROTTLE	93 dBA	90 dBA	83 dBA
70-MPH CRUISE	77 dBA	75 dBA	73 dBA
*C/D estimated.
tested in California City, California, by K.C. COLWELL and TONY QUIROGA

Final Results
VEHICLE	RANK Max Pts. Available	1 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06	2 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S	3 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO
DRIVER COMFORT	10	8	10	7
ERGONOMICS	10	9	9	8
REAR-SEAT COMFORT	5	0	1	1
CARGO SPACE*	5	5	4	2
FEATURES/AMENITIES*	10	9	10	7
FIT AND FINISH	10	8	10	8
INTERIOR STYLING	10	8	9	7
EXTERIOR STYLING	10	9	9	8
REBATES/EXTRAS*	5	0	0	0
AS-TESTED PRICE*	20	20	2	8
SUBTOTAL	95	76	64	56
POWERTRAIN
1/4-MILE ACCELERATION*	20	16	20	18
FLEXIBILITY*	5	3	3	3
FUEL ECONOMY*	10	9	10	8
ENGINE NVH	10	8	10	7
TRANSMISSION	10	9	10	7
SUBTOTAL	55	45	53	43
CHASSIS
PERFORMANCE*	20	20	17	15
STEERING FEEL	10	10	9	9
BRAKE FEEL	10	10	9	8
HANDLING	10	10	9	8
RIDE	10	8	10	6
SUBTOTAL	60	58	54	46
EXPERIENCE
FUN TO DRIVE	25	24	24	20
	342352234	203	195	165

[Group.america]

Z06 is the lightest car here at 3530 pounds.

[Sticky]

Yeah that definitely says something about how heavy sports cars are getting.

[Group.america]

Yeah that definitely says something about how heavy sports cars are getting.

There is something EXTREMELY disgustingly dodgy about this test

NO WAY A 650 bhp car like that Vette takes 4.2 seconds to go from 60 mph to 100 mph... my Porker when it was AWD fat and about 520 bhp was quicker...

this seems rigged in favour of a Porker result

The GTR Nismo is just a HUGE LUMP of straight line lard

[Group.america]

Here is just a 4th gear pull when my car was nigh on 3800 lbs with myself, a dog and luggage, gas etc in AWD mode........... no way a Z06 takes 4.2 secs... not in hell with my dead Nanna driving

[Sticky]

The Z06 should be much faster. I can't explain it.

[subaru335i]

Yeah the data seems odd but I am most surprised with the weight of the 911! How is it so fat?! The 997 turbo was lighter right?

[fieldysnuts8]

I'm starting to think it's heat related. When the Z06 first came out I remember reading interviews, etc. with engineers saying their biggest challenge was dealing with heat, not making power. I also recall a story about early cars' computers pulling power in normal driving (not track conditions) due to heat.

I'm beginning to wonder if the Z06 makes great power in controlled conditions but it suffers more than normal when driven hard for extended periods of time due to an overly conservative computer or something along those lines.

[subaru335i]

I'm starting to think it's heat related. When the Z06 first came out I remember reading interviews, etc. with engineers saying their biggest challenge was dealing with heat, not making power. I also recall a story about early cars' computers pulling power in normal driving (not track conditions) due to heat.

I'm beginning to wonder if the Z06 makes great power in controlled conditions but it suffers more than normal when driven hard for extended periods of time due to an overly conservative computer or something along those lines.

Ahh you are right, I remember that too. And the only way around it is to get an aftermarket tune which GM says will "void your warranty" haha.
Looking at this data I still want a 997.2 Turbo S w/ PDK

[Sticky]

I also recall a story about early cars' computers pulling power in normal driving (not track conditions) due to heat.

http://www.chevyboost.com/content.ph...or-performance

[fieldysnuts8]

http://www.chevyboost.com/content.ph...or-performance

I don't read that particular website but there you go.

[Sticky]

I don't read that particular website but there you go.

You're reading it now whether you want to or not.

[Sticky]

Let's assume for a moment it is the ECU. ECU tunes have showed decent gains but have we seen any tune only acceleration numbers?

[fieldysnuts8]

You're reading it now whether you want to or not.

You can't prove it.

Regarding the tunes, I haven't seen anything.

[Group.america]

So my car in 5th gear would probably beat this

I must say this is EXTREMELY disappointing for a supposed performance car

1st the weight and now a race car which heat soaks as the norm

I'll give it a D-

[Sticky]

You can't prove it.

Indeed I can as this thread you are posting in is on ChevyBoost.

Regarding the tunes, I haven't seen anything.

The cars are starting to put up some good numbers but I'd like to see if the ECU tune only does anything regarding the GM heatsoak and timing claims.

[fieldysnuts8]

Indeed I can as this thread you are posting in is on ChevyBoost.



The cars are starting to put up some good numbers but I'd like to see if the ECU tune only does anything regarding the GM heatsoak and timing claims.

I still don't believe you.

I agree, it would be interesting to see. Of course, there wouldn't be a tune that only addresses the heatsoak/timing issues without adding additional power on top of it but that would be the ideal comparison.

Did C6 Zr-1's have significant heat soak issues? I don't recall reading anything coming close to this level (and by this level I mean just barely more than "daily driving").

[Sticky]

I still don't believe you.

Your beliefs are irrelevant in this particular instance. I am speaking of facts.

Of course, there wouldn't be a tune that only addresses the heatsoak/timing issues without adding additional power on top of it but that would be the ideal comparison.

In theory there could be. GM's entire stance is for the tune to not pull timing. Well, why does their ECU pull so much timing if it indeed does?

Did C6 Zr-1's have significant heat soak issues? I don't recall reading anything coming close to this level (and by this level I mean just barely more than "daily driving").

I don't know of any significant instances but all of these positive displacement cars will suffer from heat soak.

The thing is the ZR1 put out less power in a lighter car and also had a larger blower not spinning as fast.

[MSIZZLE]

There is something EXTREMELY disgustingly dodgy about this test

NO WAY A 650 bhp car like that Vette takes 4.2 seconds to go from 60 mph to 100 mph... my Porker when it was AWD fat and about 520 bhp was quicker...

this seems rigged in favour of a Porker result

The GTR Nismo is just a HUGE LUMP of straight line lard

The Nismo is a "HUGE LUMP of straight line lard" How so? Its one of the top 4 production cars on the planet when tested on just about any track!! It doing that while weighing so much is an engineering accomplishment not a failure, shedding weight cost way more money that making hp, if nissan could build this car for another 50k and it weighed 3-500lb less, the rest of the car world would be in for some trouble