Z06, E

We compare the current line-up of the C8 Corvette to see which trim makes the most sense to buy and for whom.

The C8 Corvette is a firecracker. With a mid-engined layout, it stands as a tougher rival to its European counterparts - packing similar performance levels for nearly half the price. And with this eight-gen iteration, Chevrolet has made sure that there is a Corvette according to everyone's budget and liking.

The range starts with the Stingray, which gets a 490 hp naturally aspirated V8 and rear-wheel drive. Then you have the E-Ray, which, in a first for the Corvette, gets electrical assistance and all-wheel drive with a combined system output of 655 hp.

The hottest version of the C8 Corvette is the Z06. Besides a 670 hp flat plane crank V8, it gets a bunch of go-fast upgrades, which massively boosts its on-street and on-track performance.

But which one of these is the best? Is it the base Stingray, the hybrid E-Ray, or the howling Z06? Let's compare and find out.

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Variant

Stingray

E-Ray

Z06

Manufacturer

General Motors (Chevrolet)

General Motors (Chevrolet)

General Motors (Chevrolet)

Production Years

2020 - present

2023 - present

2022 - present

Configuration

V8

V8 + Electric Motor

V8

Displacement

6.2-liter

6.2-liter

5.5-liter

Power

490 hp

655 hp (combined)

670 hp

Torque

470 lb-ft

470 lb-ft (V8) / 125 lb-ft (electric motor)

460 lb-ft

Fuel

Gas

Gas

Gas

Noteworthy Applications

C8 Corvette Stingray

C8 Corvette E-Ray

C8 Corvette Z06

The Stingray gets a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated pushrod V8. The engine cranks out 490 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is standard, sending power to the rear wheels. Chevrolet offers an optional Z51 performance package for the Stingray, which increases the 6.2-liter LT2's power output to 495 hp.

It also unlocks a handful of other upgrades, such as a limited-slip rear differential, more powerful brakes, aggressive tires, revised suspension tuning, better cooling, and additional aero. The result is an entry-level Stingray with supercar performance levels - reaching 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and crossing the quarter mile in 11.1 seconds.

The E-Ray also gets the same 6.2-liter LT2 V8 as the Stingray, with the power output dialed up to the full 495 hp. The gas-powered motor drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed auto. But unlike the Stingray, a 160 hp electric motor is also part of the setup. It drives the front axle, making the C8 E-Ray the first all-wheel drive corvette.

The electrical assistance gives the Corvette E-Ray a total system output of 655 hp. 470 lb-ft of torque is sent to the rear wheels by the gas-powered V8, while 125 lb-ft goes to the front axle by the electric motor. At 2.5 seconds, the E-Ray is quicker to 60 MPH than the Stingray.

The Z06 sits at the top of the C8's line-up. It gets a new 5.5-liter V8 with a flat-plane crank. Apart from 670 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, this engine produces a wild howling sound that'll even turn the heads of the most loyal Ferrari fans.

0 to 60 MPH comes in 2.6 seconds in the Z06, faster than the Stingray but 0.1 seconds slower than the E-Ray. Power goes to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. You can make the Z06 even more track-focused by adding the Z07 package, which unlocks more aggressive aero, stickier Michelin rubber, and stronger brakes.

As you'd expect, the fuel economy for the V8-powered C8's line-up isn't impressive. EPA rates the Stingray for 16 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway, and 19 MPG combined. The Z06 performs worse in this area, with a rating of 12 MPG in the city, 21 MPG on the highway, and 15 MPG combined.

Though EPA hasn't released the official fuel-economy ratings for the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, they are likely to be the highest among all the trims. This hybrid Vette gets a 1.1 kWh battery pack, which allows for electric-only driving for short distances at speeds lower than 45 mph, which should also help boost its EPA rating.

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C8 Corvette Trim

2024 MSRP

Stingray

$67,895 - $86,645

E-Ray

$104,495 - $111,295

Z06

$112,295 - $132,845

Prices for the Corvette Stingray kick off at $67,895 for the entry-level 1LT coupe and $74,895 for the 1LT convertible. They stretch to $79,645 for the top-spec 3LT coupe and $86,645 for the 3LT convertible - making Stingray the most affordable in C8's line-up.

The E-Ray coupe is available for $104,495, while you'll have to dish out $111,295 for its convertible version.

The Z06 is the most expensive Corvette, starting at $112,295 for the 1LZ coupe and $119,295 for the 1LZ convertible. These top off at $125,845 for the 3LZ coupe and $132,845 for the 3LZ convertible.

These prices are still a long way off from the current-gen Corvette's competitors, such as the Ferrari 296 GTB (343,000) and the McLaren Artura ($238,000).

Between the Stingray, E-Ray, and the Z06, which trim of the C8 should you pick? Jason from the Front Seat Driver YouTube channel might have a solution we'd all agree on. In his latest video, he talks about the big differences between the current C8's line-up from behind the wheel of his friend Justin's Z06.

While the Z06 is the wildest Corvette currently on sale, the E-Ray and the Stingray each have their own merits. As Justin explains in the video, the Z06 is for someone who drives the Corvette occasionally and drives it hard. It packs in insane levels of performance, which the base Stingray doesn't provide.

While the E-Ray has similar levels of grunt, it lacks the drama that the flat plane crank V8 of the Z06 comes with. But as Jason points out in the video, the E-Ray is the most sensible pick for someone who would use their C8 as a daily driver. It offers the right balance between outright performance and sensible MPGs.

The Corvette Stingray is ideal for those who want a sub-$100,000 sports car. With the Z51 package, it offers supercar levels of performance at a fraction of the cost.

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Chevrolet is planning to crank up the performance of the C8 Corvette all the way to eleven with the 2025 ZR1. It will be the ultimate version of the Z06, featuring the same 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 engine but strapped on with two turbochargers.

Power is expected to touch 800 hp, cutting down on Z06's current sprint to 60 mph. Besides featuring forced induction, the ZR1 will also bring a bunch of other high-performance upgrades to the C8 Corvette. These would include an aggressive aero package, suspension upgrades, better brakes, and tires.

Chevrolet will price the ZR1 higher than the current C8's line-up. Expect its MSRP to touch the $150,000 mark.

As strange as it may sound (or not), a Corvette SUV is on the horizon. Details are scarce, but it is safe to assume that it'll pack in enough performance to take on its European rivals, such as the Ferrari Purosangue, Lamborghini Urus, and the Porsche Cayenne GTS.

Entry-level versions could feature the Stingray's 6.2-litre V8. But the most aggressive trim will likely get the 5.5-litre V8 out of the Z06. Chevy could introduce a Corvette SUV E-Ray with the same gas engine and electric motor configuration as the sports car.

Source: Chevrolet / EPA / Front Seat Driver - YouTube

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Ayush's love for all things automotive started with his grandfather's old Suzuki. This early initiation has transformed into a passion for cars that he now chooses to express through his words.