Comparison Test, by Proxy: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro vs. 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8

[AirGoya]

Wherein We Call a Knockout Before the First Round
- Edmunds Inside Line

Platform sharing. Gotta love it. Car companies spread the cost of developing a crash structure or a suspension system or powertrain over a number of different models that theoretically will appeal to different paying customers. It's economies of scale, as the guys wearing the suits like to call it.

Yeah, cool. But the real benefit of platform sharing is that it allows Inside Line to conduct a comparison test of two vehicles that we have not yet actually tested. In fact, we have not even seen the production version of one of the two combatants, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. We have driven a 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8, which you might think would give the reborn Mopar something of an advantage over the reborn bowtie. You, however, would be wrong.

Since we will be using data from the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT we just track-tested and the Dodge Charger SRT8 that we've tested on a couple of occasions to draw some conclusions about the Camaro and Challenger, you could call this a comparison test by proxy. Or you could call it silly. But you cannot call our conclusions invalid. And if you did, we probably wouldn't listen anyway.

So, let's get the make-believe motors running and head out onto the hypothetical highway.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road (or Soon Will)
First, let's take a moment to thank the folks at Chrysler, LLC and its SRT division for making this part of the comparison such a total gimme. So, thank you and good luck with that whole "future" thing.

For all the hoopla and the car's unique bitchin'-ness, the Challenger SRT8 that the company introduced at February's Chicago auto show is essentially a two-door version of the Charger SRT8. Both carry the identical 6.1-liter Hemi V8 — a bored-out version of the standard 5.7-liter motor. Both run the same 10.3:1 compression ratio. Both gulp 91-octane gasoline. Both make the same 425 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. And the coolant capacity? The same 14 quarts. Possibly, you're getting our drift.

Both send all that power through the same five-speed shiftable automatic transmission that carries the same gear ratios and on to the rear axle, which carries the same ratio. Both cars are held off the ground by the same dual control-arm front and five-link independent rear suspensions. Both use Bilstein monotube dampers, front and rear. They carry identical Brembo-designed brakes and are fitted with Goodyear three-season tires of the same size, 245/45/20 front and 255/45/20 rear.

And although the Challenger's wheelbase is 4 inches shorter than the Charger's, Chrysler claims the Challenger is only 20 pounds lighter than the big-brother sedan. At 4,140 pounds and 4,160 pounds, both are heavyweights.

Dodge claims that the Charger SRT8 thunders to 60 mph in "the low-5-second range" and on to a "quarter-mile time under 14 seconds." When last we tested a Charger SRT8, we came away with a 60-mph sprint of 5.3 seconds and a quarter-mile run of 13.6 seconds at 105.8 mph.

Unless Dodge has something very tricky up its sleeve (unlikely), the Challenger isn't going to be much quicker. The company claimed at its Chicago auto show press conference that the Challenger SRT8 could get to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. We're going to guess something more on the order of 5.1 seconds. This all depends on how strong the particular test engine is and on what surface the acceleration run is conducted.

No matter, for as impressive as its acceleration is, we can't help but think it could be faster if both cars weren't so heavy and didn't wear those big old 20-inchers.

Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Lie Them
The 2010 Camaro is a little harder to figure because Chevy won't release official specifications on the production car for some time. But it's not like the car is going to have a four-cylinder turbodiesel and a third row of seats. The Camaro shares its basic component set and family of engines with the Pontiac G8. It will, in fact, be built on the same production line in Australia as the Pontiac and its Holden-branded brethren.

Rated at 400 hp, a 6.0-liter LS2 engine was under the hood of the 2006 Camaro concept. That engine has been replaced in GM's lineup by the 6.2-liter LS3 engine, which makes 436 hp in the Corvette. We expect that this will be the main V8 option for the Camaro, which will carry a 3.6-liter V6 standard. We expect that it will be detuned to right around 400 hp to prevent it from challenging the Corvette. We also expect GM to cite plumbing restrictions for the car's intake and exhaust systems for the drop in power.

The G8 GT carries the so-called L76 6.0-liter rated at 361 hp. The benefit of that particular small-block is that it allows the car to squeak into the market without carrying a gas-guzzler tax — at least while bolted to the mandatory automatic transmission. Should Chevy decide to use this motor for the same reason, it still won't be at as much of a disadvantage to the 425-hp Challenger SRT8 as you might think.

Drag Queen
Consider that the Pontiac G8 we just tested ran to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and made it through the quarter in 13.7 seconds at 104.1 mph. And, yes, that was accomplished with the 6L80 six-speed automatic, which will likely be the Camaro's optional transmission. Those figures are essentially identical to the Charger SRT8's numbers.

And the G8 GT does that with ridiculously tall 2.92:1 rear axle gears. Chevy will probably shorten those up a bit in the Camaro, which would make the car even quicker.

Either way, the Camaro's available six-speed manual transmission should nudge it ahead of the more powerful Dodge. This assumes that the General doesn't do anything silly like mount 21-inch iron rims and fill the backseat with lead. Of course, the crystal ball says there will be a Challenger SRT8 with a six-speed manual in 2009 and that might even things up.

Or will it? Rumor is Pontiac will get a version of the Corvette's LS3 making about 400 hp for a GXP model. If that's the motor the V8 version of the Camaro carries, it should be able to pull a 0-60-mph run in the high 4-second range. And we expect the Camaro will be somewhat lighter than the G8 sedan's 4,100 pounds. Figure Chevy will claim a curb weight somewhere around 3,800 pounds. God help Dodge should Chevy decide to do a limited higher-performance SS model with the 505-hp LS7 from the Corvette Z06 or the 620-hp supercharged LS9 from the Corvette ZR1.

A 0-60-mph run in the high 4s and a quarter-mile in the low 13s would put the Camaro LS3 way ahead of the Mopars, but still behind the Shelby GT500 Mustang, which our radar gun clocked at 12.8 seconds in the quarter-mile. A Z06-powered Camaro, however, could take the crown.

That Other Stuff
Handling is a stickier issue to figure. It's worth noting that the G8 GT and Charger SRT8 are remarkably close in terms of lateral grip (0.85g G8 and 0.84g Charger) and slalom speeds (65.7 mph G8 and 66 mph Charger). We therefore expect that the Camaro SS and Challenger SRT8, which share the same basic suspensions with their sedan brethren, will be a near dead heat in terms of quantifiable handling traits.

And if the performance of the sedans is as predictive as we expect it to be, the Camaro will trounce the Challenger under braking. Despite big Brembo brakes, the Charger SRT8s we tested stopped from 60 mph in 120 feet and 135 feet. The Pontiac G8 halted from the same speed in a world-class 109 feet. For perspective, a Shelby GT500 does it in 120 feet and a Porsche 911 Carrera S stops in just 103 feet.

If you're having trouble accepting our conclusion that the 2010 Chevy Camaro wins a comparison test simply because we haven't "tested" them, then perhaps it would help if you imagine, as we are right now, that we're hammering the two cars at our double-top-secret location where all the roads are twisty, all the cops have wooden legs and a man and his muscle cars may lay rubber with total impunity. This would be right next to the beer springs.

Now, if you'll excuse us, we must be off to a victory party for the next U.S. president.

The manufacturers will eventually provide Edmunds these vehicles for the purposes of evaluation.>

This all makes a lot of sense. They were pretty fair IMO on every test.
I do hope like they said, that they use the same automatic as in the G8. I also hope they use close to the same suspension. They are both amazing. Just read about what they said about them here.

G8 Test
Transmission
Behind the G8's V8 rests GM's simply outstanding 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission. This is the same tranny GM puts in the Corvette. It's even geared the same, with 5th and 6th gears both being overdrives.

Left in Drive, the 6L80 executes crisp, quick shifts that keep dang near peak torque traveling back to the 2.92:1 final-drive gears back inside a limited-slip differential. GM has always made outstanding automatics, but this one is the best ever. And it gets better when shifted manually.

With the gearshift lever in automanual mode (no paddle shifters), the powertrain control module will blip the throttle for precise downshifts and hold the gear until the driver is fully ready to upshift again. No, the shifts themselves aren't as quick as a regular manual transmission would be and it's not the transcendent shifting ability of something like Audi's DSG dual-clutch system, but for a shiftable automatic it's among the very best.

The G8's quickest acceleration runs were actually made with the transmission in Sport mode but left to shift itself. With the blast from zero to 60 mph taking only 5.4 seconds and the quarter-mile flashing by in just 13.7 seconds at 104 mph, this is a stupendously quick car.

Quick enough that there's a chance the G8's engine is underrated at 361 hp. Until we get a G8 GT on a chassis dyno, we'll just have to credit its transmission for getting the absolute most from its companion engine.

Suspension
In contrast, the G8's suspension could be a direct lift from the BMW 5 Series. It isn't, but the G8's MacPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension with progressive-rate coil-over shocks is very similar to the BMW's traditional 5 Series design. As a result, the Pontiac G8 GT rides a lot like, yup, a BMW.

So the G8 GT is biased toward performance over comfort — it will drift its tail in a nice controllable arc all day. The initial turn-in from the variable-ratio steering is spot-on instantaneous, and the brief understeer is easily overcome with throttle. That's just the sort of compromise most everyone here prefers.

Sure it rides more stiffly than the Dodge, but that hardly means it's uncomfortable. Hit a pothole with one of its more aggressive, lower-profile P245/40R19 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires and the car seems to instantly slice the hole open with a stiletto, filet it and then proceed to consume it — with relish. The steering feels much quicker than the Mopar's and the tires feel sutured to the road.

The G8 whipped around the skid pad with 0.85g of grip and then screamed through the slalom at nearly 66 mph. That's not only clearly better than the Charger, but comparable to the BMW 535i Inside Line tested back in June, which whirled to 0.89g on the skid pad and galloped through the slalom at 65 mph.

On a mountain road, the G8 GT will simply run away from the Charger R/T. And since the G8's stability control system can be turned completely off, its driver will be having more fun, too.

Inside Line: Link

[DGthe3]

I love it when a fight is over before it begins. Reminds me of the Fbodfather quote "best in class performance". More powerful than a mustang, lighter than a challenger.

Oh, and I really want this place to exist:

if you imagine, as we are right now, that we're hammering the two cars at our double-top-secret location where all the roads are twisty, all the cops have wooden legs and a man and his muscle cars may lay rubber with total impunity. This would be right next to the beer springs.

I would call it home. And never leave, well once I actually own a muscle car that is.

[Mr. Wyndham]

They basically wrote down everything that's been swirling around in my head for the past year....

We have driven a 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8, which you might think would give the reborn Mopar something of an advantage over the reborn bowtie. You, however, would be wrong.

I just love how they're stating all this stuff as FACT, even before they get one...thought they're not wrong.

I think the Camaro will have closer to a 3700lb curb wieght, though...3800 sound more like they're setting themselves up to be surprised

[AirGoya]

^ I thought that too about the weight. But I thought that they were thinking to be fair, if they were going to guess, they should guess a little high.

[TheMadHatter99]

Wow, I've had some of these same thoughts, but nowhere near in this depth. They seem fair and they picked the Camaro, so I'm definitely in agreement.

And 0-60 in less than 5 seconds? 1/4 mile in 13's? Umm, can I get an AMEN from the choir?

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I think the Camaro will have closer to a 3700lb curb wieght, though...3800 sound more like they're setting themselves up to be surprised

Hey, thats what I'm doing. Keep your expectations low and you will either be right or pleasntly surprised.

[djthecop]

Originally Posted by TheMadHatter99

Umm, can I get an AMEN from the choir?

AMEN!!! and HALLEELLUUUUUJAH!!!

[wildpaws]

One fact that they completely blew was where the 5th gen Camaro will be built, they say on Holden's assembly lines down under, last I heard the Camaro was still scheduled for Oshawa, CA.
Clyde

[radz28]

Originally Posted by djthecop

AMEN!!! and HALLEELLUUUUUJAH!!!

+2

[MCPOAJ]

OMG!?!?!? they... said... LS2

[wildpaws]

Originally Posted by MCPOAJ

OMG!?!?!? they... said... LS2

In the Concept, they speculated on both LS3 and L76 for the production version.
Clyde

[WillInThe04Ranger]

Originally Posted by radz282003

+2

x3 Wooooooo

[marczsport]

Originally Posted by wildpaws

One fact that they completely blew was where the 5th gen Camaro will be built, they say on Holden's assembly lines down under, last I heard the Camaro was still scheduled for Oshawa, CA.
Clyde

Glad I'm not the only one who saw that!

[WillInThe04Ranger]

Well all comparisons aside now ....... I think its safe to say that the muscle car market will be open for a little while, instead of dying off

[COPO_Chevy]

Originally Posted by WillInThe04Ranger

x3 Wooooooo

x4

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by wildpaws

One fact that they completely blew was where the 5th gen Camaro will be built, they say on Holden's assembly lines down under, last I heard the Camaro was still scheduled for Oshawa, CA.
Clyde

I normally pick up on any mention of Canada. I somehow screwed missed that

[MCPOAJ]

Originally Posted by wildpaws

In the Concept, they speculated on both LS3 and L76 for the production version.
Clyde

yea i know i'm just sayin they said the word... i read it i got my butt chewed when i said that word

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by MCPOAJ

yea i know i'm just sayin they said the word... i read it i got my butt chewed when i said that word

How did you use the word?

'cause the article made it very clear that the LS2 was the engine in the Concept...others (not sure about you) imply that the Production car gets the LS2 (<) those are the only people I see chewed out.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by MCPOAJ

I don't think that chevrolet will let this happen the 09 Camaro is gonna be powerful they'll put the LS2 (just what i think they'll do) in the standard so i don't think that the 6 cylinder will be that bad.

Yup...unfortunately - That's gonna attract attention to any member. But it really isn't anything personally (surely you understand that). Imagine hearing LS2 this, and LS2 that for months at a time -- it gets old, and really, really, really annoying hearing that word. (Even though it's an amazing powerplant)

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by COPO_Chevy

x4

5

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by MCPOAJ

yea i know i'm just sayin they said the word... i read it i got my butt chewed when i said that word

Think of it as paying your dues. Now, the next time you spot someone who mentions 'that word' or the headlights on the next set of spyshots, you can tear them up. And thus the tradition continues.

[Bruno]

Nice read. I'm sure the Challenger people are going to be annoyed that their real car is being compared (and losing) to a not-yet-released car

[stovt001]

Sigh, a great article ruined by such inaccuracies as an Australian assembly plant and the possibility of an LS7. Usually Inside Line is better than that. However, the rest of the article was what you could get by reading between the lines of the G8/Charger comparo.

[fbodfather]

very interesting article.

Will be built in Oshawa.

Won't see an LS7.

(and did I mention that those aren't the production headlamps??????)

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

very interesting article.

Will be built in Oshawa.

Won't see an LS7.

(and did I mention that those aren't the production headlamps??????)

*wipes tears away* whew...heehee, okay.

I wonder if they meant that the Chassis (the actual Zeta aspect to it) will be built in Oz...but that still doesn't make sense. Whatever - done thinking:
Oshawa. End. Of. Story.

[CaptianSam]

i hope you guys all caught... the ls3 REPLACES the ls2... ls2 is gone