U-DRAG: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 vs. Lucid Air Grand Touring
Welcome to Edmunds’ U-Drags, our series of down-and-back drag races! In this video, we put two of the most powerful, most desirable and highest-tech American vehicles on sale against each other: the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the all-electric Lucid Air Grand Touring. Is the Lucid’s instantaneous electric torque enough to trounce the Z06’s supercar-level performance? Edmunds’ Clint Simone covers the battle of gas vs. electric in our video above.
Chevrolet Corvette pricing & review: edmu.in/42OZVnu
Lucid Air pricing & review: edmu.in/3uxhXKk
00:00 Intro
02:03 Race 1 Prep
03:03 Race 1
04:48 Race 2 Prep
05:30 Race 2
07:41 Stats Recap
08:56 U-Drags Leaderboard
09:32 Lucid In-Car Run
10:11 Z06 In-Car Run
10:50 Edmunds' Take
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This high-dollar throwdown features two totally different approaches to American high performance. Which do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.
Z06 just because that sound
I prefer you show the high-performance Lucid, like the Grand Touring Performance or the Sapphire, not the lower-tier one.
So, we figured out that different tires are different. Excellent.
6:45. He actually said that having performance tires rather than all-season tires wouldn’t make a difference. What in the actual fnck is he smoking?! After doing many track days in the same car with many different types of tires, I can say, unequivocally, that yes, the tires do massively affect braking.
Can you do Elantra N dct vs manual? The manual Elantra N has already actually posted a quicker time in u-drags than the dct variant. On two separate u-drags, the manual N won against the wrx, the dct N lost against the gti. It would be really interesting to see both variants heads up on the same day.
The U-Drags concept is probably one of my favorite concepts in all of automotive KZhead
Awesome to hear! We strive to create unique content, thanks for the positive feedback!
Me too!!!!
It most certainly is, but it does not tell the track story. The Z06 is not that far behind a McLaren 765LT on a MODERN racetrack with heavy braking zones, but cannot compete with the McLaren in U DRAG or any other straight line competition. U DRAG represents the ultimate street competition, and i wish i would have thought this up.
Agreed. I said that immediately the first time I saw these races. Brilliant. I’m still not believing they’re taking a single car to it’s breaking point. Once we start seeing rear swings, car leans and front tire plowing around the curves will I believe they’re pushing em. Braking is violent and I’m not seeing any car breaking violently, either, yet. I’m sure once they allow real car street racers run these cars like they stole them it’ll become total entertainment. Edmunds has something here.
Shame so few people are watching it 😅😂
This can not be stressed enough. The U-Drag is a fantastic concept, kudos for coming up with this. Do more. Do a lot more.
More to come!
Totally agree! Including 1 brake zone and a 180-degree turn introduces real-world elements. We have seen very fast cars destroyed by clever EV cars like the Lucid and the Plaid without seeing the test include a lap of a road course. You guys trimmed this down to a drag race with a corner adding a challenge for a heavy battery. Hope you include the Rimac (or maybe you did and I need to find it) and the Porsche.
They didnt come up with it. Concept has been done many years ago.
Somebody never watched the 2nd installment of the Fast franchise.
Magnificent sound that Z06's V8 makes!
It's quite something; in person it's insane
How in the world did he get that perfect launch in the ZO6 in race 2? Great job!
Yeah looked like it hooked real well. Wonder if the tires got some heat into them from the first run giving that little bit extra stick.
@ALMX5DP it was still ass, Hagerty did a 2.5 second 0-60mph and 10.5 quarter mile on the willow springs straight during their Z06 video vs the 911 GT3
@@saltyfloridaman7163Hagerty isn’t real world lol. Every personal video I’ve seen of the zo6 it only traps 125 in the quarter. Also that video was trash, they used a rwd convertible huracan. a 2018 Lamborghini huracan performante runs a 10.1 quarter at 136 mph and 0-60 in 2.2 destroying a c8 zo6.
@@Youcallthesebagels_ go watch c8 z06 world record. Farmer just set a record what a c8 z06 is really capable of. He ran 10.2 100% stock and 10.1 with drag radials/wheels. I find it hilarious that you need to bring up the performante instead of the EVO. That’s like comparing to a c8 ZR1 which isn’t even out yet. Why compare the highest version of the Huracan, when the z06 is just the middle version of the corvette. GM said there will be two more variants of the corvette that is going to be crazier than the Z06. ZR1 and one more above that.
@@Youcallthesebagels_ huracan performante never runs 10.1 it runs 10.5 or 10.4s at best or it runs 10.6 Yes Hagerty isn't real plus they raced on downhill road which no one noticed they have no VBOX or dragy tho But this Z06 launched really well on both channels
Time to do this same test with the new E-Ray!
Working on that for next time!
Fastest Accelerating Corvette EVER!!
Put it against the Lucid Sapphire
@@DreX-8810 why? So it over-shoots the braking zone by another 1/4 mile?
We still have the ZL1 coming out smh it's an overkill at this point lmao
Need to redo this U-Drag using the Lucid Air Saphire. Definitely more U-Drags please.
More U-Drags coming up! Watch this space.
@@edmundscars McLaren 765LT Vs 992 Turbo S next time it's very close race I mean it's closest race you will ever see
Exactly! They obviously wanted to see vette win... apples to apples would be to run it with the Lucid Saphire... high performance vette with high performance lucid is only fair.
Bring the plaid in u drags or lucid air dream performance (if available) or the 1050 hp grand touring
@Skip apples to apples isn't ICE vs EV but ok
These U-drags are my favorite thing out of automotive media in the past 5 years 🔥🔥🔥
Thank you! Glad you enjoy the format
@@edmundscars nah, thank you guys! Truly
This U turn drag concept is just fantastic. Hope it turns into an officially recognised variant of drag racing, all over the world.
U-drags is the only content I stop what I'm doing to watch. 😆 Short, to the point, and novel and needed.
Love to hear this! More to come ✌🏼
Keep in mind that the R compound tires on the ZO6 need to be warm to work and they take a lot to get warm. Sounds like they tried to warm the tires but doubt they were up to temp
Since Edmunds isn't being very clear about this, the Air Grand Touring you see in this video is a lower-spec car. This is not the 1,050hp Grand Touring Performance that you're used to seeing every time the Air was shown. There is about a 15mph trap speed difference between the two, 130mph for this model vs 145mph for the Performance variant, hence why the Air and the Z06 were neck and neck in race 2.
What clarity is needed? There's like 5 Lucid Air models. They were clear on which one was shown and presented its specs. There shouldn't be any confusion. Also, the top tier Lucid models (The Saphire is above even the GTP) climb very high in price, very fast.
@@bluebomber697 You can't buy that yet.
Got to love this series. We need all the best cars here in future
What a great illustration of each car’s strengths and weaknesses!
Z06 looks so good in that color. And it’s just so fast
Definitely like these u-drags quite a bit better than you're typical heads up drag. Much much much better at seeing what a car is capable of, keep it up!
Apart from the original top gear test track, this must be one of the simplest and best ways to see a cars pull and handling far better than ordinary drags
These two shouldn’t be compared. They’re a great pair to own together! One for the drive to work, the other for the weekend.
YES!....
❤ this comment.. why compare ?? Almost a ton weight difference and comparining a lower spec version of the EV vs a 2 seater vette..both great cars !!! But this comparison is no bueno😅
It’s called having fun. You should try it sometimes.
tacoma vs frontier next, the world has been dying to find out
Honestly... could be fun
Best video yet! And really shows why the U-drag races are awesome.
before watching - okay this should be pretty close. Yes the lucid has more power, but it also is crazy under-tired which will hurt it in the braking zone and handling. My bet is that the Z06 takes it, but not by much. with the Lucid's trap speed being "are you sure that's right?" levels of speed.
Bravo! Bravo! This format is absolutely brilliant! Ingenious! Revelatory! Surprisingly, entertaining! Would love to see a 911 turbo S V. Corvette C8 Z06. Carry on U-Drags! I’m a HUGE fan!
anyone participating in this video production has a cool ass job.
Hello Edmunds, love your new content! The only problem with these comparisons is the HUGE difference in driver skill. You either have to get more evenly matched drivers, OR, run the test at least 6 times with each driver getting 3 attempts per car. Because, some drivers are instinctive, they are immediately good with every car but reach their limits quickly; while others may be relying on conscious skill, taking longer to learn but may exceed the first group eventually. Remember the 2009 ZR1 had over 6,000 laps before it set its Nurburgring record, that should tell you something.
Great comparison. Very fun to watch. Funny how those C8 can hook up once they get the tires warm. I feel my C8 Z51 move around sometimes when hard on the gas but the nannies help keep it going fast and you learn to warm things up before pushing hard. I think it's a great car and perhaps when the Z06 becomes more available I would love get one more C8.
We'd love to see the plaid !
Plaid and eray
Yes get the plaid in there!
Bored of tesla. No thanks.
The U-race is awesome, great video! However, it’d make sense for the Lucid to be equipped with the 21in wheel and tire package (it’d have Pirelli p-zero high loads with a staggered setup). The 19s are designed for range and efficiency, not for performance driving. Just a thought!
Yup
21" wheels are gonna increase your rolling resistance at launch.
Agreed, tires make such a big difference in braking and handling that the Lucid is really crippled here. EVs generally have such incredible launch control though that all seasons aren't as critical for good 0-60 times.
I sure would like to see the Sapphire version of the lucid!
Best and most fun test ever . Tesla plaid soon ?
This went pretty much how everyone expected
I honestly was surprised! My friend has a c8 stingray and he raced (roll) a lucid and it was like the c8 was at a stand still lol
@@craigscott6253 Don't know why they used the lower spec ~800hp Lucid, rather than the ~1100hp performance Lucid.
@@rohansprenger6902 Because this was the Lucid closest in price to the z06. The idea was to compare bang for the buck. The z06 is overall the better vehicle for this price range, as it’s capable in both straight lines and cornering, while still having many luxury features.
@@pricoblanco The vette came in $20k dearer. For less than that they could have thrown a decent set of wheels and tires on the Lucid to bring them a bit closer to an apples-to-apples comparison.... Of course then the result wouldn't be the same....
That corvette is awesome
Glad to see you on this channel Clint!!
I want more U-Drags! But with C8 Z06 vs 992 GT3 RS vs Huracan STO and other sport cars.
More U-Drags are on their way!
@@edmundscars Thanks for the kind answer!
That was awesome I love this test looking forward to more cars doing this
More to come!
@@edmundscars we need 911 turbo S or GT2RS here please 😂😂
@@joshuapounds7646 just need Turbo S Vs McLaren 765LT best battle ever GT2RS will lose badly here honestly because it struggles for traction off the line While turbo S blasts and has same cornering speeds and brakes
The C8 ZO6s performance is absolutely undeniably!!! Corvettes do way more than just go fast in a straight line!!!
Can you do Elantra N dct vs manual? The manual Elantra N has already actually posted a quicker time in u-drags than the dct variant. On two separate u-drags, the manual N won against the wrx, the dct N lost against the gti. It would be really interesting to see both variants heads up on the same day.
How about the Lucid Air Sapphire against the Tesla Model S Plaid? 😃
I expected the Lucid to win. This was an eye opener to how vicious and violent that new Vette is!
They compare it to a low version lucid.. not the dream or sapphire.
The Grand Touring is not a low version of the Lucid; it's actually the highest trim currently available as the Sapphire is not yet being delivered.
@@edmundscars lucid grand touring is 800 hp. Dream edition is 1111hp. Sapphire 1400hp. The grand touring is not a powerful car. Come on
@@edmundscars the highest trim available right now is the lucid dream edition. Let's see the ZO6 with the lucid dream edition 😉. The sapphire will kill the ZO6.
@@francisq4446 You are full of crap
Love the U-drag concept. I wanna see more!
I really like this race format. Great job.
God that Z06 is a MONSTER!! I want one!! And agree with everyone…U drags are awesome!!
Wonder why they trap so low in the quarter
@@MrDede2011 because they are Na track cars with aero obviously lmao
I would love to see the c7z vs the new Z in this race.
It will be a hell of a race but I expect the C8 will win even the Stingray can win C7 Z06 , unless C8 STINGRAY & C8 Z06 vs C7 Z06 on roll race only , C7 Z06 will fuck both of them thanks its BAS (big ass supercharger)
The u drag idea is one of the most interesting I’ve seen in the car community!
I certainly didn’t expect that outcome wonderful ! Just wonderful combustion engines 🎉
Turns like a ship in the Suez
😂 You win comment of the day
Edmunds is a joke. Racing a lucid on 19s and then complaining about it being a pig and poor brakes. Leave the drag races to hagerty. Boomers 😂
@@edmundscars I think equalizing the tires is something to consider. Yes, the Lucid doesn't come with Cup 2Rs, but if you really want to compare the overall performance of the cars (and not the tires), I think equalizing the tires would be the best way. The Z06/Z07 still may have won, but it would be interesting to see how much closer the Lucid would be with better tires.
1.16g?? 🤯👏👏
Liked, subscribed, and commented. Keep the U-DRAGS coming!!
One of the very top car testing channels hands down! U-Drag is pure genius!
Can’t hide 5,300 lbs in corners and braking
amazing car .
...wider tires on the lucid would hurt range...but add wider and lighter wheels and 20mm tread width/tire and the lucid might corner better
Now this is something I will sub to, U-Drags are AWESOME!
I don't care, these are the best drag races on KZhead
Very cool to see two very different vehicles on the same track. Z06 is no joke, but I think a slightly better tire under the Lucid and it would be very close.
And brembos!!
Glad you enjoyed it! Tires could definitely make a huge difference for Lucid
Don’t even matter if the Lucid had better tires and brakes it still weighs over 5,000 pounds
once ev figures out the weight issue then come back
@@edmundscars Would love to see this race repeated with the Lucid on its available 21" wheels with summer performance tires.
U Drags is the best and only getting better!
At first I thought the bigger wing would have been too much drag but the zo6 was very impressive! Very nice video.
Love the U drag platform. It's way more informative about the vehicle's all around ability. Now with that said, no race or measuring barometer in the car world is complete without a Turbo S. Where does that beast sit on your scoreboard? Did someone say Z06 vs Turbo S?
Z06 turns in so hard the inside tire lifts off the ground. 😮😮 6:38 to see.
Why is Lucid on 19" instead of 21" wheels?
Cause the bigger rims are, the slower the accelleration will be
@@ilgwent8061 didn't look like acceleration was the issue but handling was and the 21s definitely have better handling
This was outstanding! Great concept. 🍸👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
C8 ZR1 is going to be insane!!!!
I'll take car that doesn't exist yet for 1000 dollars alex!!
Where is Lucid Air Sapphire when you need it?
Great vid ! I really wanna see a relevant ev like a plaid or lucid air performance/saphire against some of these super cars ! This grand touring doesn’t have the power to get it done and make up the handling gap
Plaid or Saphire would make the vette look like it was standing still.
That would definitely be interesting to see! I feel like the braking deficit could be even more pronounced due to the higher entry speed into the corner but it would definitely be interesting to see no matter what!
I just want more U-Drag's. Any chance you run some older models similar to how a certain british channel runs generations? C4 ZR1 vs C5 Z06 vs C6Z06, C7Z06, etc? Or any of the other generational comparisions, Golf R's, Nissan Z's comparing back to the 80's would be kinda fun too.
my favorite test, by far, so good, covers it all.
This is great
You can see where the Vette catches up braking then passes the Lucid in the corner. What a great shot. U drags got me to follow!
Need to see more U drags, subscribed.
Kurt never fails to rip it. That Vette launch 🚀
Why not spec the 21s on the Lucid? They are no extra cost on the GT and might have won!
All car review channels need to adopt the U drag if they want to give viewers a more thorough yet brief look at performance. This rocks.
Glad you enjoy the format!! More to come
Question: how many times can you abuse the batteries!
Z06 all the time!
You need to redo with the top spec lucid air GT 1050 hp model with the bigger wheels and summer tires! This was not a really far comparison! All season tires vs performance summer tires make a big difference in braking and Corning performance!
Hindsight is always 20:20, but i feel it was worth a comparison seeing the stats. Lucid may be heavier on all seasons but still has all wheel drive, an extra 150hp and like 400lb-ft over the Corvette (not to mention having that relatively instantly due to being an EV).
Still too heavy and subpar suspension. It would be closer tho.
Good excuse for a rematch.
I think the car turning left has the advantage here. I’ve seen instrumented tests that show some cars can corner harder to the left due to the driver affecting the weight balance of the car
Loved the drag race!! Thank you
Race doesn't start till 3:00, EV (at this moment) is a one trick horse.
It's a 2 seater sports car vs a 4 door luxury family car. Nobody even makes an EV sports car in the Vettes price range currently.
Even if the vet lost. Id still have that for noise alone.
Just need to pay a $100,000+ markup first.
@dubba07 its a rich mans world. Dont let youtubers fool you. These cars are all very expensive to buy and maintain. And dealers are getting crazy with the markups on all these top model cars. So assuming i could afford either one, it would be the zo6. The average folk will have to settle for a c5 or c6
The Vette won actually.
Nailed it on second round. 🔥. With e ray would be also very interesting
The only thing that could make this better is slalom cones after coming out of the turn before the sprint back.
I was thinking the same thing, even just two or three turns or a quick chicane.
Wow that Corvette’s sound is emotional 😮 it’s a musical instrument, Lucid sounds like a fridge 😂
Why not pick the more powerful lucid? Maybe even the sapphire?
Sapphire isn't available to the press yet
@@edmundscars I just mentioned it because it’s been on a few other channels
Edmunds this U drag is awesome. Finally someone came up with a quick race that really shows the combined usage of everything
What was the peak G data for braking on each car?
zo6 vs gt500 is one i still want to see. because i know at a roll gt500 starts to pull away from z06. and we know how the regular c8 vs gt500 went and also how the c8 vs z8 z06 race went. So i think gt500 vs z06 would be awesome especially if you took it further like half mile . 80k gt500 vs 185k z06 i was shock at 120mph the brick shaped gt500 started pulling away
The 500's are no joke, and with a few simple bolt-ons become absolute monsters.
Watch this space 👀
I mean, the GT500 makes 100hp more and 160ft-lbs more torque. I would hope it could at least pull on the NA Z06 on a roll race. Also, pricing is $81K vs $106K starting msrp's lol. Don't try and use absurd numbers.
They're pretty close on a roll race....no one can beat gm's na game when they decide to play. And boost is just easy. There's thing the z06 can do that the gt500 will never be able to compete with.
@@bluebomber697 Where can I purchase a new Z06 for under $150,000? I was informed GM stopped accepting new orders for the 2023 Z06
So, a 4-door executive luxury cruiser can't beat the highest available performance version of a Corvette? I mean, jokes aside, I was actually a little surprised at the result because so far the general narrative has been that EVs out perform all but the most exclusive ICE vehicles. Also, still faster than an Stingray? Watching that in-car footage of the Lucid breaking/corning though? That's a hard nope for me. haha. Seriously though, all in all, pretty impressive performance by the newcomer.
This is their mid-tier EV, hence the results. They aren't being forthright with the fact that this isn't the halo version that you've primarily seen: the Grand Touring Performance or the Sapphire.
This is fire!!!! I love this concept
Love This U-Drag Concept!!!
Are you kidding me? You putting a 850 HP monster on skinny 19 inch Aero Range Tires. At the very least, replace them with the stock 21 inch tires that comes standard with this car?
You’re saying the wheels and tires on this Lucid aren’t standard fit?
@@ALMX5DPLucid offers both the 19 inch (Aero Range) and the 21 inch wheels (Aero Blades) on the Air Grand Touring, but the 19 inch wheels are meant for aero efficiency and maximum range. Whereas the 21 inch wheels are larger and better for performance use. I also agree that the Lucid would have had a better chance of winning if it was on the 21 inch wheels. (But considering this is just the normal Grand Touring, not the Grand Touring Performance...even on 19 inch aero wheels, I'd say it held up pretty well with the Z06. If this was the Performance version of the GT, that would have left the Vette for dead.)
@@vroomstocks2207 sure, my point using that question was just to suggest running vehicles as they are provided is best practice. Replacing wheels/tires or whatever, though potentially making for a closer race, isnt exactly in the spirit of what Edmunds is going for.
@@ALMX5DP Ah I see, yeah that is a fair point.
@@ALMX5DP Lucid Air comes standard with 21inch summer tires. 19 inch is an option provided to improve range. So yeah this car is not on standard performance tires
When it takes 10 minutes to go around a corner. 800+ Horsepower still isn't enough for a big and heavy EV to beat high performance Ice vehicles. Makes me worry thinking about those driving them on the streets that likely fail to realize how much time it takes them to stop or turn when approaching a slower car in traffic. I really wonder why these heavy EVs require such high horsepower from their manufacturers with the Lucid performance model having over 1000 horsepower. The harder you accelerate. The faster the battery losses ranges. Similar to an Ice vehicle and mpg. Kinda defeats the purpose of an EV.
This wasn't 1k hp...
@@cleverusernamecl5532My error. The grand Touring has 819 horsepower with the Grand Touring Performance having 1,050 horsepower.
@@DWH300 The Sapphire version will be 1200 plus hp! Quicker than the Plaid.
@@cleverusernamecl5532 I would rather have 760 V8 horsepower that sounds amazing, than 1200 horsepower that has zero performance personality like the golf carts I use playing golf. As the Z06 and GT500 has proven. There's more to a car than just it's horsepower rating. It's the overall package. Time will tell if Lucid with survive their high vehicle pricing and if those wanting an EV are willing to pay those prices.
@@DWH300 I agree I am not an EV fan. But to deny the performance of the EV is naive. Like it or not it is the future.
Per Jason Cammisa: This (the Z06) is an American Ferrari! The Vette is the top of its line while the Lucid is - I think - the base model (GT?) and that made for more fair competition than if you had the Lucid Sapphire. I loved it. Please do more of these! I want to see a Tesla and Mach E and Mustangs and Lambos and Demons and Rivians and Escalade Vs ;-)
This channel needs more subscribers than CarWow !
Would love to see the Eray vs Tesla
What is the use or purpose of current Lucid model line?
Let's see a similar race with the E-Ray now ❤
I wonder if braking to stop and then reversing into a J turn would be faster there and back? Although that defeats the cornering portion of the test...
Where is this Air Field located?
great show!
FUN, I actually watched it 😄 twice, more please 🙏
The day solid state batteries become more economically available, the game is going to change big time. Very cool. Now I want to see this race but Z06 vs the e ray
That's the real way to test them. Badass!
This is the best and should be a standard!!! Genius Idea!!!