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Chevrolet's newly launched mid-engined track monster encountered a competitor from Stuttgart.

For a long time, Chevrolet Corvette’s direct competitors have been difficult to find because of the combination of performance and price of the car, and this is even more the case as the C8 generation shifts to a mid-engine layout. The prices of mid-engined exotic models such as McLaren GT, Lamborghini Huracán and Maserati MC20 are 6-digit numbers starting with 2, which makes them much more expensive than similarly configured C8s. The standard Audi R8 V10 is not that far in the ionosphere, but in order to reach the peak of 600 horsepower, you need to upgrade to the performance version, which is another $200,000. Next year, the mid-engine Lotus Emira may be another competitor. Its first version will be equipped with a 400-horsepower supercharged V-6 at a cost of US$96,100. However, for now, we think the most recent temptation for potential Corvette buyers is the Porsche Cayman. For the new Corvette Z06, it is a Cayman GT4, so this is the match we see here.

Both cars use engines that represent their brands: Chevrolet's small V-8 engine, and Porsche's six-cylinder engine.

The core of Corvette Z06 is its new LT6 V-8. This DOHC 32-valve engine has a displacement of 5.5 liters and is equipped with a flat crankshaft. It produces 670 horsepower at 8,400 rpm, slightly below its red line of 8600 rpm, and 460 pound-feet of torque at 6,300 rpm. In contrast, Cayman's naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine has decreased in number of cylinders, displacement and power output. It rotates at 8000 rpm and spins 414 horsepower at 7600 rpm and 309 or 317 pound-feet of torque, depending on the gearbox.

Chevrolet did not design the C8 Corvette for manual transmissions, including the Z06. So here, the eight-speed Tremec dual-clutch automatic transmission sends the output of the engine to the rear wheels. In contrast, Porsche-at least for now-still offers the gear lever in the Cayman GT4. Of course, buyers who don’t want a six-speed manual can spend money on an eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic.

The shadow cast by the Cayman GT4 is 175.5 inches long and 70.9 inches wide. It spans a 97.8-inch wheelbase, with a front track of 60.6 inches and a rear track of 60.4 inches.

The Corvette Z06 has a length of 184.6 inches (185.9 inches for the carbon fiber aerodynamic kit) and a wheelbase of 107.2 inches. It is 79.7 inches wider than the standard car and has a wider body, with a front track of 66.3 inches and a rear track of 66.1 inches.

On our scale, the Cayman GT4 with manual gear weighs 3196 pounds, and the weight-to-power ratio is 7.6 pounds per horsepower. We estimate that the Z06’s curb weight is 3700 pounds in its lightest configuration, which will give a weight-to-power ratio of 5.5 pounds per horsepower.

In our test, the Cayman GT4 equipped with PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission accelerated from 0 mph to 11.6 seconds, a quarter mile of 121 mph in 3.3 seconds. Using a six-speed manual transmission, these figures are 3.7 seconds and 11.9 seconds respectively at a quarter of 120 mph. We haven't tested the new Z06, but the normal C8 with the Z51 kit reached 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and ran a quarter mile at 122 mph in 11.2 seconds. We estimate that the Z06 will reach 60 mph in 2.4-2.5 seconds and will be demolished by a quarter in 10.4-10.5 seconds.

The Cayman GT4 is one inch lower than its counterparts and uses harder springs. Its suspension can adjust the camber angle, toe, ride height and anti-roll bar settings. Porsche offers adaptive dampers and carbon ceramic brake discs ($8,000).

Z06 also has its own suspension calibration, with standard magnetic selective driving control 4.0. It will also provide optional carbon ceramic brakes as part of the Z07 package, which also includes a further upgraded FE7 suspension, carbon fiber aerodynamics package and Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires.

The basic Z06 wheels are 20 x 10 inch front wheels and 21 x 13 inch rear wheels, but Z06 buyers can replace those standard aluminum wheels with carbon fiber wheels, reducing weight by 41 pounds (total), and gaining their own power steering And the specific adjustment of the magnetorheological damper. The Cayman GT4 uses 20-x-8.5 inch front wheels and 20-x-11 inch rear wheels.

Pricing for the 2021 Cayman GT4 starts at US$101,550. The pricing of the 2023 Corvette Z06 has not yet been announced, and Chevrolet only stated that it will track the previous Z06 premium. Based on this, we estimate $90,000 as the starting point for the ultimate Corvette.