C8 Corvette Makes Charger Hellcat Sweat Hard Off the Line
C8 proves that horsepower isn’t everything when it comes to getting the win in a bone-stock drag race.
Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) is known to unlock the latent potential of any performance vehicle, and they are currently tooling up to release a 1,200-horsepower kit for the C8. It’s still a ways off, so do they do to pass the time? Make an SRT Charger Hellcat and C8 Corvette duke it out in their own backyard. Let’s preface this by saying both are bone-stock.
Anyone with a elementary education knows that such a large disparity in power (Hellcat has 707, C8 has 495) means total embarrassment will ensue in this video on Hennessey’s official YouTube page. But for who, exactly?
C8 vs Hellcat Dig
HPE lined both cars up on their private course for a launch session. Not surprisingly, the Hellcat got off to a rough start because of traction issues. Tons of horsepower trusted to a set of Pirellis? Not gonna work out, sorry. Meanwhile, the C8 hooks up beautifully with its Michelin Pilot Sport tires.
On a more serious note, C8 comes stock with all-seasons, while the Hellcat comes with summer tires. Yet, the mighty Mopar has issues off the line. “I think I’ll be good in a <roll race>, but this thing is like it’s on ice when you try to move it,” said the HPE employee driving the Hellcat.
Don’t get me wrong, Charger Hellcats are generally awesome straightliner performers. And I’ve driven them aplenty. But no matter how much you feather that throttle, chirping your tires seems inevitable in lower gears.
Run #2: ’40’ Roll
The Hellcat and C8 then go for a cruise at 40 miles-per-hour, only to squat their back ends with an intense low-end torque jaunt. This is where I’d like to say (and should say) the Charger took off like a rocket. However, that surprisingly isn’t the case here.
What we see instead is the Corvette take off yet again on the feline Mopar, getting a solid nose ahead before the Hellcat starts closing in. Interestingly enough, the car hooked just fine. The issue here is clearly weight.
Yes, the SRT has the top end advantage, hands down. It also weighs 4,586 lbs. Corvette weighs nearly a half-ton lighter at 3,647. In the end, the Charger won the quarter-mile sprint by the skin of its teeth (grille). We don’t get either car’s times, but the performance between them both is clear. “Wow, 707 and 495 and just about even,” said the HPE employee driving the C8.
You must also consider engine placement and aerodynamics. The C8’s LT2 is mid-engine, and that format greatly improves acceleration. Since most of the car’s weight now lies just above the rear axle, the Corvette has the advantage here. The front end is also more aero friendly than the Hellcat’s design.
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