Watch A Manual Corvette Z06 Nearly Best A Mercedes-AMG GT R On Track

What we have here is a fascinating track battle. Yes, the Mercedes-AMG GT R is 73bhp down on the output of the Corvette Z06’s mighty LT4 supercharged V8, but the Chevrolet has the ‘handicap’ of having a manual gearbox versus the German’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Also, as far as track-focused sports cars go, the GT R is one of the quickest out there - take its Nurburgring lap time for instance, which is bested only by the likes of the Porsche 918 Spyder, Lamborghini Huracan Performante and - another American - the Dodge Viper ACR.

With Sport Auto’s Christian Gebhardt (the same guy responsible for the GT R’s ‘Ring time) at the wheel, the Mercedes still wins the day, but only just.

We also can’t help but think the Corvette wins the prize for best noise…