If The Corvette C8 Costs $170,000, Then These Are Its Rivals

If the latest reports prove to be accurate, the upcoming C8 Corvette -the first generation since 1953 with the engine in the middle- will come with a $169,900 starting price in one of its versions, probably the range-topping one. That is arguably a very serious -if not outrageous- amount of money, especially for a Corvette.

Historically, the Corvette always offered one of the strongest values in the sports car world, featuring performance that’s comparable with much more expensive models, usually from the other side of the pond.

But the arrival of the mid-engine Corvette will signify the beginning of a new era for the American icon, bringing -or at least expected to bring- supercar levels of performance to the table and as such, pricing must inevitably go up. Therefore the $170k price tag doesn’t sound so unreasonable, if of course is combined with the new range-topping twin-turbo V8 engine.

Speaking of engines, the C8 Corvette is expected to be offered with three, or even four powertrain options; base models will be powered by an updated 6.2-liter LT1 V8 with around 500 hp while the more expensive versions are set to get a new flat-plane crank V8 in both naturally aspirated and twin-turbo versions, featuring 600hp and 800hp respectively.

As for the fourth member of the range, rumors suggest that GM is planning to add a front-mounted 200hp electric motor to the twin-turbo C8 Corvette, making it effectively a 1000-hp all-wheel drive monster.

In that respect, having 1000hp -or even 800- for $170k sounds pretty good value in our ears, so let’s dive in and take a closer look at the competition in that price bracket, shall we?

Acura NSX | 573HP 3.5LT V6 HYBRID | $159,300 MSRP

How much technology can you cram into a supercar? Well, if you’re Acura then quite a lot. The twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 is combined with three electric motors, making the NSX basically an all-wheel drive rocketship, both on straights and on tracks.

Audi R8 V10 Quattro S Tronic | 532HP 5.2LT V10 | $164,900 MSRP

Audi’s halo performance model has proven to be one of the most exciting supercars in the market, offering superb performance together with a million-dollar soundtrack, courtesy of the market’s only naturally aspirated V10 engine.

McLaren 570S | 562HP 3.8LT V8 | $188,600 MSRP

McLaren’s “entry-level” model is easily the most expensive in this group but let’s face it; there are people out there willing to shell out the extra cash in order to have a carbon-chassis mid-engined supercar with the McLaren badge on it and who can blame them.

Mercedes-AMG GT R | 577HP 4.0LT V8 | $157,000 MSRP

The only front-engine car of this company is the Mercedes AMG GT R. The German hot rod has the focus and the speed to be compared with much more exotic -i.e. expensive- stuff, as proven by its lighting-fast lap times on the world’s most challenging tracks.

Porsche 911 Turbo | 540HP 3.8LT FLAT6 | $161,800 MSRP

The 911 Turbo is the Swiss Army knife of the sports car world, period. It might not be the sharpest 911 -that’s a job for the GT models– but that doesn’t stop the Turbo from offering world-dominating driving pleasure and mind-boggling levels of performance, whether you’re on the track or on your favorite back road. Not feeling like driving fast today? It’s ok, the 911 Turbo can also become a relaxing GT, offering good ride quality, great visibility and plenty of comfort for your daily driving duties.