Road & Track's 2026 Performance Car of the Year test brings together three high-performance vehicles in a classic showdown for the ages. 5-liter V-8 engine with two large turbochargers, producing 1064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque.
In contrast, the Ford Mustang GTD arrives as a total unknown but with the potential to run away with everything if development partner Multimatic nails it, featuring an 815-horsepower supercharged V-8 engine. 2' iteration.
The three cars will compete on two different tracks: the Thunderhill West racetrack out of Willows, California, and the twisting mountain roads north of the San Francisco Bay Area. 2 seconds.
Meanwhile, the GTD has a more modest 0-60 time due to its smaller engine size and limited fuel capacity. Despite these differences, all three cars are designed to deliver exceptional acceleration and performance.
The Corvette ZR1's massive V-8 engine provides unparalleled power, while the GTD's supercharged V-8 offers impressive torque output. 2' iteration, is poised to be a formidable opponent in this competition.
This showdown highlights the unique strengths of each car, from the Corvette ZR1's raw power to the Mustang GTD's agility and handling. The Porsche 911 GT3's mid-engine design provides a distinct advantage on twisty mountain roads, where its rear-engine layout can be fully utilized.
