Camaro in Motortrend's 2009 driver's car competition.

[qdz21]

Here is the link to the article in the Automobile Magazine. http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...ies/index.html

Long write up but interesting. It comparison starts on page 3 and the numbers are listed on the last page( i believe page 8).

[DeathChill]

Originally Posted by syr74

The guy above got it right. Reasonably similar cars in the same segment and the difference on the racetrack is less than a second despite more than a 100hp advantage for the Camaro? The difference in mid range torque should have the Camaro absolutely running off and hiding from the Mustang. Reality? Camaro is running away on the straights and the Mustang is absolutely up the Chevy's backside in every corner. The Camaro SS should have an easy two or three second lead on the Mustang at least, and it just doesn't.

Yeah, this comparo proves it, handling is not on the same level between these two.

I see it this way: the difference is less than a second for a car that weighs 300 lbs less and is being praised for how effective it is around the track. I think it's a nice compliment for the Camaro that even though it's pretty portly at almost 3900 lbs it still managed to just barely outrun the Mustang around a road course.

[qdz21]

Originally Posted by DeathChill

I see it this way: the difference is less than a second for a car that weighs 300 lbs less and is being praised for how effective it is around the track. I think it's a nice compliment for the Camaro that even though it's pretty portly at almost 3900 lbs it still managed to just barely outrun the Mustang around a road course.

x1

[syr74]

Originally Posted by DeathChill

I see it this way: the difference is less than a second for a car that weighs 300 lbs less and is being praised for how effective it is around the track. I think it's a nice compliment for the Camaro that even though it's pretty portly at almost 3900 lbs it still managed to just barely outrun the Mustang around a road course.

I can appreciate the love for the home team. But, the longer the Camaro is out, the more it seems like a slightly plush, big power cruiser with phenomenal brakes than a pure GT/ponycar, which is really meant to be a more comfortable evolution of a sports car. There is nothing wrong with that, but I think it points out that the Camaro and Mustang really aren't the same kind of car this go 'round.

In terms of personality and execution Camaro slants more heavily toward the muscle car side of the equation while the Mustang is more of a true American GT/ponycar.

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by diV6

Full results on the 19th. The driver appeared to like the gt500 better.

Let's just say there are going to be a lot of unhappy people on this board when they read the full article.

[S8ER01Z]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

Let's just say there are going to be a lot of unhappy people on this board when they read the full article.

Why is that? Because the GT500 IS significantly faster? Makes more power?

I don't get why they would be unhappy.. it's just facts. They SHOULD already be aware of it.

[Dakota Kid]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

Let's just say there are going to be a lot of unhappy people on this board when they read the full article.

No offense, but why would anyone here be unhappy? We did not spend 50k on a performace car, and if we did, it would likely be a Corvette.

[Ninjak]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

Let's just say there are going to be a lot of unhappy people on this board when they read the full article.

Well of course you know it will be "Well a Vette!!" conversation......when that article hit. People on one side want to compare the Camaro to the GT because of price. Never mind the huge power difference. So here comes the GT500...the same gap in power, but heh the price comes to play.

The 2011 GT will need to be the one to compare. The old model is just that. On a older platform. The new one will be the direct competitor. Then we will see what does what. Until then the argument will never end. No matter who says what, or what is done by who.

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by S8ER01Z

Why is that? Because the GT500 IS significantly faster? Makes more power?

I don't get why they would be unhappy.. it's just facts. They SHOULD already be aware of it.

Nope, nothing to do with the GT500 but thanks for assuming.

[KarFan]

Car performance year over year is a moving target. GM should get a lot of credit for what they have accomplished with really an augmented Zeta sedan architecture in their first year. I can't stress enough that refinement takes time. Pull out a 2005 Mustang GT or a 2006 GT500 and compare them to 2010 models to see just how far Ford has come in performance with really similar underpinnings.
A lot of engineering is still trial and error.
The good news is GM can tune the suspension to cut away the understeer as the car is really a balanced machine. The concern still has to be curb weight as that probably isn't likely to get any better and will always be hurdle to the Camaro's performance.

[GTAHVIT]

Closed,

I'm way beyond sick of this conversation.

[ironpeddler]

http://www.motortrend.com/features/p...car/index.html

Includes a bunch of different cars.

[TheClassicCarKid]

wtf is with the pandora plug?