U-DRAGS: 2023 Corvette Z06 vs. 2020 Shelby GT500

Welcome back to Edmunds’ U-Drags, our series of down-and-back drag races! In this episode, it’s a battle of American muscle as the hot new 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 faces off against our long-term Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Both are insanely capable sports cars, though they go about their missions in very different ways. Which one will take home the trophy? Find out with Edmunds’ Clint Simone in the video above!

00:00 Intro
01:05 The Numbers
01:27 Race 1 Prep
02:27 Race 1
03:47 Race 2 Prep
04:36 Race 2
06:24 Stats Recap
08:05 U-Drags Leaderboard
08:37 Z06 In-Car Run
09:14 GT500 In-Car Run
09:51 Edmunds' Take

[edmundscars]

Happy 4th of July, America! Which of these two American muscle powerhouses would you prefer to drive up to the BBQ in? Let us know in the comments.

[BrendyNew]

UDrag is actually genius... How'd this not be done before

[eugeniomartinez]

This is literally the ultimate way to test two cars against each other. It hits every measurement racing.

[willrobinson]

That Z06 is no joke, it simply haul azz. Love them both.

[jds]

Driven a GT500 exactly as is like this one on track, it handles amazing! Z06 is even better on turns and weighs so much less. A CFTP GT500 would have given the Z06 more of a challenge, but other than that amazing race. Two American beasts.

[ProjectAjax]

I'm glad GT500 is back on the leaderboards. Now for a Ford GT before they go out of production!

[trauma]

Not going to lie, was NOT expecting the GT500 to get skulldragged by bus length, especially when it got the jump. Holy crap the Z06 is quick!

[keithcollins]

For a muscle car the GT did not do bad. That Corvette is so sweet looking!!! Wow

[pjwhalen]

This is a great concept! So much better than just 0 to 60 or quarter mile only. Please make it a bit better. Put the good driver in each car at least twice - once in each lane if not more. Show us how good these amazing cars can really be after you have a slight learning curve on each one.

[mr.boombah]

I’ve had my Z06 now for a few months absolutely great car. I’ve had a few exotics, but this car has exceeded expectations.

[Lichtywara]

I would really be curious to see the Ford GT go against that Z06. That would be a cool race!!

[fritzmeynejr]

That Z06 is a terror. Wow! Even with the 2nd race and the 500 jumping, the Z0^ still out the 500 down. This U-Turn race adds a new dimension for real world performance.

[scotty]

Great race! If you get a chance, I'd like to see an old-vs-new race, same model. For instance C7 Corvette vs C8 Corvette, to show how much the new model has improved.

[kevintran]

I think a ZL1-1Le would be a better race for the GT500. I can still seeing the GT500 winning out of raw power on the roll back, but the lighter weight and handling of the 1le should make it interesting the first half. Please make it happen Edmunds

[Mandolin]

What a GREAT video! Even with all the horsepower the Mustang did not seem to be able to match the Corvette on any part of the race.

[cliffordhaines]

YES been waiting for this! Great race! I knew Z06 would edge it out but man GT500 gave it a great go at it, love that car.

[PinderM]

Be good to see the braking stats as well, like if it was possible to see entry speed at the braking cone and how much they’ve slowed down by the turn. This is such a good series hope you do more of it.

[shanemoye]

Same outcome probably, but seriously you guys couldn't get a Gt500 track pack to go up against a Z07 package?

[fe]

Look at the first race (the clean one). The Zo6 gets almost all of it's advantage off the line. The GT500 actually gained on the Zo6 after that. Bonkers!

[cesarpalmos]

I'm always amazed a Mustang is compared to a Corvette when Ford still has an actual mid-engine car that truly competes with this generation of Corvette. I honestly thought the Corvette would beat the Mustang in Lbs/Hp, turning Gs, and braking.