Inside Line: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Comparison

[newagemuscle]

Was that ZL1 an auto?

[msp2887]

Reposted from Apex's Facebook:

http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/...ison-test.html

"Nothing is more humbling than watching a car with 100 fewer horses and the extra weight of an NFL running back disappear into the distance on a back road. But that's exactly what happened when we brought the two cars together to establish which is the best-driving pony car ever. The answer, as improbable as it seemed, was as obvious as the Camaro's shrinking taillights."

[Bad70supreme]

Originally Posted by newagemuscle

I don't get it... How is my SS running almost the same MPH and almost the exact 1/4 time with just headers, tune, and CAI.

This is what is killing me about the ZL1!!!! Yes this car is super well balanced, but come ON!! This car should be trapping low 12s at lest at 118-120 on these test. Then how much closer would it look next to the brut force of the gt500? My SS can run with the avg. zl1 run and it cost half the price with 2k in mods Personally I race at the drags, I love that chevy built such a well balanced car, but they need to step up at the drags with a street legel camaro... And no the copo does not count!

[Bad70supreme]

After looking at some of the owners times on this bored, how is that they are running just what I said, low 12s! So why cant these so called test show this?

[mdmoore23]

Originally Posted by newagemuscle

I don't get it... How is my SS running almost the same MPH and almost the exact 1/4 time with just headers, tune, and CAI.

Agreed. I'm more of a GT500 but am an all around car guy (drive an 08 Z06) I thought the ZL1 would be a little faster in the quarter initially.

[Bob Cosby]

Originally Posted by Wondering

As others have stated in this thead,I too wish they would actually put them on a track to see if the ZL1's superior cornering can overcome the brute force that is the GT500.

While I'm definately a drag racer and not a road course person, I too would like to see an actual on-track, same day, same driver comparison. I'm sure we will in the near future...

[oortcloud]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

I haven't read the text version yet, but I seriously doubt anyone at stvperformance is upset by the results.....

Well, in the text version they give the overall win to the zl1. Maybe this ruffled a few feathers there.

1st Place: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
An unrivaled combination of precise control, ample power and a strikingly refined — and multitalented — chassis.

2nd Place: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500
More brawn than brains, which isn't a bad thing. Unless there's a ZL1 nearby.

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by derklug

This is just what people have thought since the GT500 anounced 650+hp. The ZL1 would lose at the strip, but be better at the track. Now it is going to depend on the track, small tight tracks will make the ZL1 shine, larger tracks with bigger turns and straights will favor the GT500. Unfortunatly for most of these cars, the only track they will see is the one that leads into the garage and allows room for the owner to get all the way around it to get the cover on correctly.

Agree almost 100%. Would say the ZL1 would handle easier rather than be better at the track because as pointed out depending on track configuration either car could come out tops. I'm calling the current muscle car war a draw. The winner is the automotive enthusiasts like ourselves.

[el ess A]

Hahaa! This is so cool. This is why WE, as consumers, win overall no matter which brand you prefer! The classic war is back for sure!

I'd still take a ZL1 over a Cobra, though they're both great cars in their own right. They just haven't done enough in the styling department over at Ford to make me consider visiting one of their dealerships.

I'll have a tall glass of Bowtie Kool-Aid please. Straight up.

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by newagemuscle

I don't get it... How is my SS running almost the same MPH and almost the exact 1/4 time with just headers, tune, and CAI.

Yeah, the heat or something is affecting many of the ZL1s. I've heard reports of some only trapping around 114 mph or so (and running mid to high 12s).

A bolts ons Camaro SS would give many ZL1s a run for their money in a drag race. Or in my case and many others, the bolt ons SS would win the race.

[Fenderaddict2]

What kills me about calling a winner or trying to prove which car is best is ultimately a joke. Just spent the entire day at the track and the fact is most of us will never come close to finding the limit of any of these cars. So if they are already more capable than the drivers why not just call it a draw. Or get out to a track or strip with a buddy who drives the other brand (assuming you can be friends with someone like that ;-) and run your own test.

Me? I love 'em both. But as a business owner interested in bottom line performance figures, I'd lean toward the Ford.

[ackeight]

Very interesting read. "best car chevy has made"? Wow. It will be interesting seeing the magazine articles on their head to head sentiments.

[LOWDOWN]

In this Olympic year, a "sprinter" (500) vs. a "decathlete" (ZL1)

[pay_day33]

I'm sure glad that article came out. When read on paper before the head-to-head was done, there was really nothing Camaro could do. Especially when people tried to unfairly compare the ZL1 to the Boss. Great read though.