When American hybrid technology clashes with lightweight European supercar design on the drag strip, expectations can be wildly unpredictable. The guys at DragTimes experienced that firsthand when they pitted an all-wheel-drive Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray against a rear-wheel-drive McLaren 600LT coupe in a series of quarter-mile blasts.

Before the main event, the video briefly showcases a Porsche 911 Turbo S beating a McLaren 765LT Spider in a unique race involving braking and a turnaround, setting a high bar for performance. But it wasn’t long until the focus shifted to the E-Ray and the 600LT.

DragTimes’ host, Brooks Weisblat, outlined the matchup: the Corvette E-Ray boasts around 670 horsepower with its V8 and electric motor combination. “It’s also over a thousand pounds heavier than the McLaren,” said Weisblat. He also noted that, in addition to having 600 horsepower, the 600LT benefits significantly from being “super super light.”

He predicted the McLaren would “probably struggle a little bit off the line” against the E-Ray’s all-wheel-drive launch, which he previously observed was “just launching amazing.”

In their first heads-up quarter-mile race from a dig, the E-Ray’s all-wheel-drive advantage was immediately apparent. The car leaped off the line and held a clear lead. “Wow. Got the McLaren by a bit, wow, so Chevy’s beating McLarens now!” Weisblat exclaimed as the Corvette crossed the finish line first.

For the second race, to better gauge their rolling performance, the E-Ray driver gave the McLaren a slight jump, or “the hit.” In this scenario, the lighter 600LT managed to pull ahead and win by about a car length. “With the hit, he got me by like a car but … from the hole he can’t pass me,” Weisblat commented, acknowledging the different dynamics.

The third and final race served as a tiebreaker, running straight up from a standstill. The Corvette E-Ray once again demonstrated its launch superiority, with Brooks Weisblat noting a quick “2.83” second 0-60 mph time on that pass, securing the overall win for the American hybrid sports car, two-to-one.

DragTimes‘ airstrip battle certainly showcased two incredible performance beasts, with the E-Ray’s hybrid AWD launch proving a formidable weapon against the McLaren’s lightweight prowess. Did the E-Ray’s dominance from a dig surprise you, or was that electrifying Chevy launch what you expected all along?