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

[blufin]

This is just about what I expected from the comparison.
At a dragstrip, I think both et's would have been a little better.
So it's not the quickest, it's still a great car. Nice job GM.

[YouseeSS]

Originally Posted by Sax1031

12.7 @ 114 mph is pretty embarrassing.

Where did you get 12.7 @ 114?


"Our best pass was 12.4 seconds at 116.1 mph."

[mlee]

Pretty much sums it up right there...

"It's not the $5,815 cost advantage that wins the comparison test for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. It's this car's ability to fight above its weight class that makes it undeniably more attractive. It's virtually unprecedented that a car with such a dramatic power deficit and weight disadvantage could come out ahead.

So in other words, we were wrong. When it comes to pony cars, it's not always about horsepower. At least not anymore."

[oortcloud]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

Drawing conclusions about what these two will do on a road course from back roads testing and the typical mag figures is naive. The ZL1 will have higher cornering speeds and the gt500 will brake and accelerate more quickly. The zl1 is more confidence inspiring, specifically on "real" roads with bumps. None of this adds up to one or the other being faster on a road course. Somebody will put these two cars on the same track on the same day at some point, that's when we'll know.

It's not naive at all. This may be the first h2h review, but virtually all the other zl1 reviews say the same thing - the zl1 has impressive handling (for a muscle car). And these include full road course reviews. This h2h review is simply another argument to support the theory until we have more h2h road course tests.

As for brakes, they both stopped very close together. The zl1 is heavier but it has 2 piece front rotors and brake ducts which should help offset the extra heat. So I don't think the shelby has a brake advantage.

The shelby has slightly poorer front/rear weight distribution too. But the cornering advantage is already with the zl1.

Acceleration advantage is definitely with the shelby. But will it be enough?

Edit: Actually I just read (correct me I'm wrong) the 2013 shelby does not have a front brake duct option. I suppose its an easy mod however.

[Angrybird 12]

Since most owners will probably be doing 90 to100% of their driving on public roads I would say for most drivers the ZL1 would be the best car to own. Now until we see them run head to head on an actual road course there will still be that debate. But for most driving I say we have the answer now.

[IOMZL1]

Before the 2013 650 (now 662 HP) and other upgrades announcement, the GT500 would have lost hands down in most comparisons to the ZL1, perhaps being equal in acceleration. Ford talked up many of the improvements to the car and I did think they had significantly improved it. Ford guys began beating their chests and saying ZL1 fans were drinking Al O’s kool-aid. Little did they realize they were drinking a bit of their own and taking shelter behind the HP advantage. Now the comparisons are starting to come out and the butt-hurt tables may have turned a bit. The GT500 is improved but not drastically other than under the hood. Some compromises in gearing were made to get to 200HP, etc. etc. SVT fanbois will continue to claim victory in the ¼ mile while ignoring all else bad, saying that is the only metric that matters ‘in America’.

It is all very cyclic at the end of the day. Two great cars. Everyone will have a preference and that doesn’t make them right or wrong. There will never really be a clear winner in everyone’s eyes. I’ve grown tired of debate because most only hear what they want to. Mustang/Camaro; Vette/Viper; F150/Silverado, Bulls/Celtics, Yankees/Red Sox, McDonalds/Burger King, Coke/Pepsi, blah blah blah... Just drive what you like, appreciate people will always have different opinions, and realize there is no ‘perfect’ car – all have strengths and weaknesses.

Competition is good no matter the industry. We all win at the end of the day.

[AKA]

12.4 @ 114 for zl1
13.0 @ 111 for SS

somethings not right. who was driving the zl1? ive seen other articles that claim 12.0 flat. if those numbers are right you could save a crap load of money and buy a ss and beat a zl1 with bolt ons.

[stikSS]

How many more threads are gonna be started about this?


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[Rangore]

I liked the article. I can wait for a h2h on a road coarse.


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[DanSS24]

well said, IOMZL1

[tnspd]

Shelby harder to launch and ZL1 has handling hands down. I see many 2013 Shelby's getting beat. The average driver will not be able to launch the Shelby until after he has alot of track time. That equals alot of times getting beat. LOL

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by tnspd

Shelby harder to launch and ZL1 has handling hands down. I see many 2013 Shelby's getting beat. The average driver will not be able to launch the Shelby until after he has alot of track time. That equals alot of times getting beat. LOL

Agree. The ZL1 can make anyone look like a hero. You'll need to be a hero to get the best out of the GT500. Different strokes, but I respect 'em both.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by tnspd

Shelby harder to launch and ZL1 has handling hands down. I see many 2013 Shelby's getting beat. The average driver will not be able to launch the Shelby until after he has alot of track time. That equals alot of times getting beat. LOL

Not sure I totally agree... The Shelby has better launch control and the ZL1 has a whole bunch of different setting combinations to work out. It's going to take a lot of trial and error to choose the right traction and PTM settings on the ZL1 to get the right launch.

[Angrybird 12]

Here is the test I would like to see. 3 runs on the drag strip, then 3 laps on a road course, then 3 laps on a 1.5 mile oval. To take driver skill out swap drivers and do them all again. Whichever wins the most is the better STOCK RACE car.

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by oortcloud

Sorry, I don't buy it. Although I respect and understand your logic.

If the gt500 was the superior car on the road track then the Inside Line review is way way way off-base.

I think they (the media) should draw up a prime-time slot on TV and line 'em up on VIR. Put 5 ZL1s vs. 5 GT500's with pro racers. I'd buy it on PPV. I'd even place my bet on the winner.

Actually they acknowledge the tables could turn on a smooth race track.

[tnspd]

Originally Posted by mlee

Not sure I totally agree... The Shelby has better launch control and the ZL1 has a whole bunch of different setting combinations to work out. It's going to take a lot of trial and error to choose the right traction and PTM settings on the ZL1 to get the right launch.

The guy said the Shelby was alot harder to launch. My ZL1 is easy to launch. Put it in sport 4 or race 5, leave traction control on if you want and it goes. take traction control off and you just need to push the gas slow or it will break loose.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Fenderaddict2

Actually they acknowledge the tables could turn on a smooth race track.

Actually it says this,

The tables might turn marginally on a smooth road course, but the ZL1 will always be the more rewarding — and easier — car to drive.

Dosen't say the Gt500 would improve enough to beat the ZL1. But truthfully how many racetracks are actually smooth? I would think the skid pad and other handling tests proves the ZL1 would be better.

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by tnspd

The guy said the Shelby was alot harder to launch. My ZL1 is easy to launch. Put it in sport 4 or race 5, leave traction control on if you want and it goes. take traction control off and you just need to push the gas slow or it will break loose.

Well, keep in mind the Shelby did an 11.9 with launch control and the ZL1 did a 12.7 with launch control. They ran the 12.4 without launch control.

[oortcloud]

Originally Posted by Fenderaddict2

Actually they acknowledge the tables could turn on a smooth race track.

The challenge is intriguing. Will it really cause the zl1 to loose? Gm already turned some nice times there. It'll be fun to see what they can do h2h.

[iLLcoolZ]

Originally Posted by stikSS

How many more threads are gonna be started about this?


Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

To be honest, I looked to see if there were any other threads on this article, but I didn't find any, so I posted it. I must have missed them.

[rpepka]

Stage 2.... please

[tnspd]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

Well, keep in mind the Shelby did an 11.9 with launch control and the ZL1 did a 12.7 with launch control. They ran the 12.4 without launch control.

11.9, most drivers will not hit that for sometime until they figure out how to launch it. The guy did say the Shelby was harder to launch.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by tnspd

The guy said the Shelby was alot harder to launch. My ZL1 is easy to launch. Put it in sport 4 or race 5, leave traction control on if you want and it goes. take traction control off and you just need to push the gas slow or it will break loose.

Harder to launch probably due to lighter car and more HP, he didn't mention Launch Control, but probably used it...pushing on the gas slow to hold traction will make any car easy to launch but not necessarily be the fastest launch. It's going to take practice (w/ 60' times at a track) to figure out the best combo which probably won't be the easiest.

Just like Erik @ Torq did on the Autocross... After trial and error he turned everything off and drove in touring mode to achieve his best lap times. There's a lot to practice and learn with either of these cars which is going to equal nothing but fun.

[72MachOne99GT]

My '13 is absolutely horrible on the road. That's why I'm going to stick to the quarter mile most of the time.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

My '13 is absolutely horrible on the road. That's why I'm going to stick to the quarter mile most of the time.

You mean Ugly... not horrible right..


inside j/k