The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 breaks into uncharted territory for American supercar achievement. However, the Z06 isn’t the only modern American track star with racing pedigree; the Ford GT channels years of world-class performance into a brutish package. So, does the new kid from Kentucky have what it takes to share the track with the Ford halo car?

How powerful is the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06?

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 produces 670 horsepower from its naturally aspirated 5.5L V8. While that doesn’t seem stratospheric in the age of 1,000-horsepower hypercars, the Z06’s all-new flat-plane V8 sounds and revs unlike any other American car. 

Specifically, the Z06 produces peak power at 8,400 rpm, even higher than the only other flat-plane V8-powered production American car of recent years, the Shelby GT350. As a result, the range-topping gas-powered ‘Vette rivals some of the most iconic vehicles from Modena in more than just performance; it’ll sing operatically like its pricy Ferrari competition. 

What’s special about the Ford GT?

The Ford GT returned in 2017 to pay homage to the iconic GT40 race cars of yesteryear. However, unlike the original GT40s or early 2000s models, the latest GTs pack a 3.5L twin turbo V6 engine. 

Still, despite the two fewer cylinders, the Blue Oval halo car produces a tire-melting 660 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. As a result, the GT has similar power but more torque than the more budget-friendly 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. 

Is C8 Z06 faster than Ford GT?

Despite the stark price differences, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is quicker on paper than the Ford. Specifically, the 2023 Z06 will hit 60 mph in around 2.6 seconds on its way to a 10.5-second quarter mile, 0.3 seconds quicker than the Ford GT in both categories. 

Beyond initial acceleration, the Ford GT is much faster in terms of top-end speed. Ford says a 2021 GT will hit a blinding 216 mph, whereas the newer C8 Z06 stops at around 189 mph. Still, the Corvette Z06 holds its own in Car and Driver’s roadholding tests, returning a 1.16 g result on the skidpad, 0.04 more than the GT.  

How much will a fully loaded C8 Z06 cost?

A range-topping 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 3LZ Convertible starts at $130,145. However, opting for the coupe will drop that starting point by around $7,000. 

Still, the entry-level Z06 1LZ is one of the only Corvette base models to crack the six-figure threshold. The 1LZ starts at $109,295

How much more expensive is the Ford GT than the Z06?

Despite being comparable in acceleration and road-holding, the Ford GT is dramatically priced compared to the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The 2022 Ford GT started at around $500,000, nearly 4.6 times more than the Z06 1LZ.

The Ford GT might have unrivaled American racing pedigree and unchallenged halo car status, but the Z06 is quite simply one of the best supercars America has ever produced at a luxury sports car price point.