2012 ZL1 Compared to the 2012 GT500 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

The IOM Ninja · 09-09-2011, 03:01 AM

This is strictly specifications, features, etc.
None of that subjective BS like which car looks better or which one you like better, it can be based on what we already know and what has been confirmed. I just want to have a non-bias list to compare the two cars.

Pope Designs · 09-09-2011, 07:12 AM

I am a true muscle car fanatic. I have owned a 10 Camaro SS and a 10 GS Corvette. I loved both cars and they were fun to drive. With that being said I drove a 12 Shelby last week and wow! That has to be the funnest car I have ever driven! I have always preferred Chevy over Ford but really never hated Ford as they have some great cars as well. I have to tell you I am really torn between the ZL1 and the GT500 as my next car.

Darkstar November · 09-09-2011, 07:21 AM

it will make for some great competition, were lucky enough to be able to experience both here at the shop. im a mustang guy for my personal cars but chevy has done a great job with the 5th gen camaro platform and the ZL1 just proves that fact all the more

SScamaroRS · 09-09-2011, 07:25 AM

It is awesome to have both cars out and available. They both have different feels and its nice to be able to get the one that best suits the driver.

IOMZL1 · 09-09-2011, 07:36 AM

I’m no GT500 expert, but I’ll give it a stab:

HP: ZL1 wins. 580 vs. 550.
Torque: ZL1 wins. 556 vs. 510.
Weight: GT500 wins. Mustang GT500 weights around 3820lbs. ZL1 weight not announced but will likely be heavier.
Weight Distributaion: ZL1 wins. ~52/48 vs. ~56/44
Track Width: ZL1 wins. 63.7 vs. 61.9/62.5
Suspension: Zl1 wins. Magnetic ride, IRS.
Brakes: Zl1 wins. Brembo 6 and 4 piston calipers vs. Brembo 4 and ?? calipers.
Wheels / Tires: ZL1 wins. Bigger tires front and rear. 20x10/20x11 vs. 19 x 9.5
Wheelbase: ZL1 wins. 112.3 vs. 107.1
MPG: Unknown
Transmission: Zl1 wins. No auto available for the GT500.
Convertible: GT500 wins for now. No ZL1 convertible has been announced.

My take is that the ZL1 is clearly the better car on paper. We will see how it performs on track, but I expect it to make the GT500 look bad. The only unknown at this point is weight and price. Should be very interesting. Let me know if I’ve forgotten anything or stated anything wrong.

den318 · 09-09-2011, 08:05 AM

All indication are that the new Shelby will be over 600hp. If you are comparing the unreleased ZL1 to this year's Shelby then yes, look like the ZL1 will take it. By the time the ZL1 is in store, it will most likely compare to the 2013 Shelby. It will be a close one either way.

IOMZL1 · 09-09-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by den318

All indication are that the new Shelby will be over 600hp. If you are comparing the unreleased ZL1 to this year's Shelby then yes, look like the ZL1 will take it. By the time the ZL1 is in store, it will most likely compare to the 2013 Shelby. It will be a close one either way.

These specs are for the 2012 GT500 and 2012 ZL1 - apples to apples. Remember, the ZL1 is being released late in the model year. So MY 2013 will be a different argument all together.

toilets · 09-09-2011, 08:14 AM

http://jalopnik.com/5838600/the-chev...u-need-to-know

There you go, Power to weight ratio is sick! even at 4200 pounds

den318 · 09-09-2011, 08:16 AM

You are comparing apple to orange. The 2012 Shelby is OUT for over half a year. There is NO 2012 ZL1 in store anywhere. I bet by the time the 2012 ZL1 is out, the 2013 Shelby will be out as well or soon after. And then what? you are still comparing it to the 2012 Shelby???? While you are at it, why dont you compare the 2010 SS to the 2010 GT again.

ssump29 · 09-09-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by den318

You are comparing apple to orange. The 2012 Shelby is OUT for over half a year. There is NO 2012 ZL1 in store anywhere. I bet by the time the 2012 ZL1 is out, the 2013 Shelby will be out as well or soon after. And then what? you are still comparing it to the 2012 Shelby???? While you are at it, why dont you compare the 2010 SS to the 2010 GT again.

What your forgetting is that unless Ford finds a better suspension and urgrades for the GT500 it won't matter the HP being more then the ZL1 if the suspension and such is so far inferior to the ZL1. 600 hp means nothing when you can't plant it down like it should be. Name one car in Ford's group thats 100,000 plus and is giving suspension parts to it? Well unless ford designs a whole new suspension then its toast when lining up with the ZL1 even with 600hp.

Theres a reason the 486hp GTR runs with a 600hp monsters and beats them, its suspension being superior as much as it is all wheel drive, more the great suspension tho.

Crowley · 09-09-2011, 08:22 AM

Until final specs are released on the GT500, I don't think we can compare. You will be comparing against the current specs and not next years specs.

My guess would be that Ford will come close the the ZL1 in HP. It doesn't have to beat it because my guess is that it will also weigh less than the ZL1 and the Solid rear most likely won't eat up as much HP either.

In most applications I look for this to be very close between the two and in normal conditions it would be a drivers race. I think for every day driving, the ZL1 will be the better of the two due to the suspension.

In the end, people should get what will make them happy as both cars are FULL of WIN!!

Crowley

Crowley · 09-09-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssump29

What your forgetting is that unless Ford finds a better suspension and urgrades for the GT500 it won't matter the HP being more then the ZL1 if the suspension and such is so far inferior to the ZL1. 600 hp means nothing when you can't plant it down like it should be. Name one car in Ford's group thats 100,000 plus and is giving suspension parts to it? Well unless ford designs a whole new suspension then its toast when lining up with the ZL1 even with 600hp.

Theres a reason the 486hp GTR runs with a 600hp monsters and beats them, its suspension being superior as much as it is all wheel drive, more the great suspension tho.

My guess is FORD knows this and with the recent testing it has been said that most people think that the upgrade is coming.

Crowley

IOMZL1 · 09-09-2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by den318

You are comparing apple to orange. The 2012 Shelby is OUT for over half a year. There is NO 2012 ZL1 in store anywhere. I bet by the time the 2012 ZL1 is out, the 2013 Shelby will be out as well or soon after. And then what? you are still comparing it to the 2012 Shelby???? While you are at it, why dont you compare the 2010 SS to the 2010 GT again.

The 2013 Mustang will be released around the same time as the 2012 ZL1, but the 2013 ZL1 will be released a few months later. The only thing that makes sense is to compare the model years or you might as well compare anything to anything. So for the first half of the year you compare 2012 to 2013 and the second half its 2013 to 2013? Doesn't make sense.

ssump29 · 09-09-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowley

My guess is FORD knows this and with the recent testing it has been said that most people think that the upgrade is coming.

Crowley

Well it better because you know like I know thats the only way it can retake the throne, because a simple bump in hp is not going to do it.

09-09-2011, 03:01 AM	#1
The IOM Ninja Account Suspended Drives: 10' IOM 2SS/RS, 13' GB Shelby GT500 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sherwood Park, AB Posts: 2,180	2012 ZL1 Compared to the 2012 GT500 This is strictly specifications, features, etc. None of that subjective BS like which car looks better or which one you like better, it can be based on what we already know and what has been confirmed. I just want to have a non-bias list to compare the two cars.

09-09-2011, 08:22 AM	#11
Crowley Okie doke Drives: 2012 GT500 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: McKinney Texas Posts: 3,568 View My Garage	Until final specs are released on the GT500, I don't think we can compare. You will be comparing against the current specs and not next years specs. My guess would be that Ford will come close the the ZL1 in HP. It doesn't have to beat it because my guess is that it will also weigh less than the ZL1 and the Solid rear most likely won't eat up as much HP either. In most applications I look for this to be very close between the two and in normal conditions it would be a drivers race. I think for every day driving, the ZL1 will be the better of the two due to the suspension. In the end, people should get what will make them happy as both cars are FULL of WIN!! Crowley __________________

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09-09-2011, 07:12 AM	#2
Pope Designs Drives: 2013 ZL1 Rally Yellow Join Date: May 2009 Location: Knightdale, NC Posts: 347	I am a true muscle car fanatic. I have owned a 10 Camaro SS and a 10 GS Corvette. I loved both cars and they were fun to drive. With that being said I drove a 12 Shelby last week and wow! That has to be the funnest car I have ever driven! I have always preferred Chevy over Ford but really never hated Ford as they have some great cars as well. I have to tell you I am really torn between the ZL1 and the GT500 as my next car.

09-09-2011, 07:21 AM	#3
Darkstar November Drives: 2011 Mustang GT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: south florida Posts: 262	it will make for some great competition, were lucky enough to be able to experience both here at the shop. im a mustang guy for my personal cars but chevy has done a great job with the 5th gen camaro platform and the ZL1 just proves that fact all the more

09-09-2011, 07:25 AM	#4
SScamaroRS Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Chester County Pa Posts: 24	It is awesome to have both cars out and available. They both have different feels and its nice to be able to get the one that best suits the driver.

09-09-2011, 07:36 AM	#5
IOMZL1 Drives: 2015 Z/28 \| 2017 Viper ACR Extreme Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brownsburg Posts: 1,009	I’m no GT500 expert, but I’ll give it a stab: HP: ZL1 wins. 580 vs. 550. Torque: ZL1 wins. 556 vs. 510. Weight: GT500 wins. Mustang GT500 weights around 3820lbs. ZL1 weight not announced but will likely be heavier. Weight Distributaion: ZL1 wins. ~52/48 vs. ~56/44 Track Width: ZL1 wins. 63.7 vs. 61.9/62.5 Suspension: Zl1 wins. Magnetic ride, IRS. Brakes: Zl1 wins. Brembo 6 and 4 piston calipers vs. Brembo 4 and ?? calipers. Wheels / Tires: ZL1 wins. Bigger tires front and rear. 20x10/20x11 vs. 19 x 9.5 Wheelbase: ZL1 wins. 112.3 vs. 107.1 MPG: Unknown Transmission: Zl1 wins. No auto available for the GT500. Convertible: GT500 wins for now. No ZL1 convertible has been announced. My take is that the ZL1 is clearly the better car on paper. We will see how it performs on track, but I expect it to make the GT500 look bad. The only unknown at this point is weight and price. Should be very interesting. Let me know if I’ve forgotten anything or stated anything wrong.

09-09-2011, 08:05 AM	#6
den318 Drives: looking Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: manhatten Posts: 166	All indication are that the new Shelby will be over 600hp. If you are comparing the unreleased ZL1 to this year's Shelby then yes, look like the ZL1 will take it. By the time the ZL1 is in store, it will most likely compare to the 2013 Shelby. It will be a close one either way.

09-09-2011, 08:14 AM	#8
toilets Drives: 2010 camaro Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southeast, Posts: 842	http://jalopnik.com/5838600/the-chev...u-need-to-know There you go, Power to weight ratio is sick! even at 4200 pounds

09-09-2011, 08:16 AM	#9
den318 Drives: looking Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: manhatten Posts: 166	You are comparing apple to orange. The 2012 Shelby is OUT for over half a year. There is NO 2012 ZL1 in store anywhere. I bet by the time the 2012 ZL1 is out, the 2013 Shelby will be out as well or soon after. And then what? you are still comparing it to the 2012 Shelby???? While you are at it, why dont you compare the 2010 SS to the 2010 GT again.