2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 vs Porsche 911 Carrera S: A Showdown at iBestTravel
The iBestTravel team engages in extensive street driving for our Automobile All-Stars events; however, we also love to track-test contenders geared for serious speed. This year, we headed to the Streets of Willow at Willow Springs International Raceway, featuring the all-new mid-engine 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 and the current 992-series Porsche 911 Carrera S. We created a video showcasing our resident hot-shoe and professional racer, Andy Pilgrim, who took the wheel for timed laps, followed by a discussion with Top Gear America host and iBestTravel contributor, Jethro Bovingdon. The result is a thrilling three minutes highlighting the contrast between mid-engine and rear-engine sports cars that you won’t want to miss.
Comparative Overview of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 and Porsche 911 Carrera S
A key feature of our 2020 Automobile All-Stars was to compare two of the hottest sports cars of the year: the Chevrolet Corvette C8 and the Porsche 911 Carrera S. Starting at a base price of $59,995, our 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 was outfitted with the $5,000 Z51 package, which includes larger brakes, enhanced exhaust, and several performance upgrades. Additional options raised the sticker price to an impressive $83,825.
Conversely, the 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S came with a higher base price of $114,650. Options included a luxurious $3,850 leather interior, $8,970 carbon-ceramic brakes, and more, bringing the total MSRP to $143,350. This price tag positions the 911 Carrera S as a premium offering in the sports car segment.
Performance Specs and Engineering Insights
The Porsche 911 Carrera S boasts a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged flat-six engine delivering 443 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission. Meanwhile, the Corvette C8 Z51 generates 495 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, also mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Notably, while both cars have rear-mounted engines, the Porsche’s boxer-six is positioned slightly behind its rear axle, whereas Chevrolet’s V-8 is located between the rear axle and the driver. This distinction signifies crucial engineering differences; indeed, while Porsche has refined its rear-engine layout for over 70 years, the C8 represents Chevrolet’s first foray into mid-engine design.
The Ultimate Showdown: Corvette C8 vs. Porsche 911 Carrera S
So, which car will triumph in this thrilling sports car shootout? To find out, we invite you to watch the video. Regardless of the outcome, choosing between a Porsche 911 and a Chevrolet Corvette is undeniably a win-win scenario. Both models showcase outstanding engineering and exhilarating performance, which is why they are celebrated as two of the best in our 2020 Automobile All-Stars.
