This 700-HP Chevy Suburban Completely Humiliated a Corvette in Just 13 Seconds
In a head-to-head showdown that defies expectations, a 700-horsepower Chevrolet Suburban has proven that even the most unexpected rivals can come out on top. The tale of this extraordinary David and Goliath event took place at the Hot Rod Power Tour 2024, held at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
The story of this Suburban begins with its long and storied history, tracing its roots back to 1935. As the world's first SUV, the Suburban started as a utilitarian vehicle but has since evolved into a luxurious, powerful machine capable of holding its own against even the most iconic American sports cars. This transformation is evident in the Lingenfelter Performance Engineering team's decision to soup up a seemingly ordinary Suburban with an impressive array of aftermarket mods.
On the other end of the ring is the Chevrolet Corvette, a symbol of American speed and design for the past seventy years. Typically, the Corvette would be the last vehicle you would expect to be bested by an SUV in a drag race. The Suburban’s ability to flip the script relies heavily on the power of genetic mutation in the world of car design and modification, orchestrated masterfully by the Lingenfelter team.
The Mastermind Behind the Transformation
Enter Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, a name synonymous with high performance and pushing the limits of what a vehicle can do. Known for their knack for adding significant horsepower to a variety of vehicles, Lingenfelter's track record is nothing short of impressive. By strapping a supercharger onto a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine, the team managed to elevate the Suburban’s power output to an astonishing 700 horsepower and 665 lb-ft of torque. That’s a huge leap from the factory’s original ratings of 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.
But adding power is just one part of the equation. The Suburban, a vehicle often relegated to family road trips and towing hefty trailers, weighs in at around 2.7 tons. With such a heavy frame, it's not the most aerodynamic vehicle on the track, though it appears the late Enzo Ferrari’s words hold true here: 'Aerodynamics are for people who can’t build engines.'
The Showdown: David vs. Goliath
The betting odds were firmly stacked against the Suburban before the race. Drag racing a Corvette, a car designed with superior aerodynamics and lighter weight, seemed almost laughable. However, the Suburban was more than ready to defy these expectations. The two vehicles lined up, the powerful roars of their engines signaling the impending face-off. In just 13.092 seconds, at a speed of 105.31 mph, the Suburban crossed the finish line first, leaving the Corvette trailing behind. The fact that Lingenfelter chose not to disclose the Corvette's finish time only adds to the Suburban’s victory.
It's not every day you see a supposed family vehicle leave a sports car in the dust on a quarter-mile track. This race serves as a reminder that with the right modifications and ingenuity, even the most unexpected vehicles can become champions. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has once again proven that they can take any car, give it a significant power boost, and turn it into a track monster.
A Video Worth Watching
Don’t just take our word for it; watch the race for yourself. The video, uploaded to Lingenfelter Performance Engineering’s official YouTube channel, provides visual proof of the Suburban’s unbelievable victory over the Corvette. For automotive enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, this head-to-head race is a thriller you wouldn’t want to miss.
So, the next time you see a heavily modified SUV, don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Vehicles like this Lingenfelter Suburban serve as excellent examples of how far automotive technology and engineering have come, bridging the gap between practicality and sheer, unadulterated speed.