Watch: new Corvette Z06 vs the sublime Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche 911 GT3

The Z06. If the Corvette is America’s Porsche 911, this is its GT3. And in American sports car folklore there is no bigger deal. But for Chevy’s latest it’s bucked the trend; no electric assistance, no hybrid help, and no turbos either. It’s got an entirely new engine, the LT6 - a 5.5-litre dry sump, flat-plane crank V8 taken from the C8R GTLM race car. Good for 670bhp and 459lb ft, it sees off 0–60mph in 2.7secs.

It also sounds more Italian than American, like the great engine from a Ferrari 458. So we thought we’d bring one of those along. And Porsche’s GT3, because we’re thorough.

Could this be America’s best sports car ever? Top Gear magazine’s Ollie Marriage hit the road and track to find out.