[AirBull]

After seeing the new Z/28 Nürburgring time at 7:37.4 compared to the ZL1's 7:41.3, I'm not terribly impressed with 3.9 seconds on a 13 mile track, for all that one gives up and pays more for, compared to that of a ZL1.

First off, nobody has seen the Z/28's straight acceleration times yet, 0-60, 1/4 mile, 0-100, and when they do, my guess is that it will be lucky to even keep pace with the ZL1. Despite the 300lbs weight savings, the Z/28 produces 505hp & 481lbs/ft torque (somehow 11lbs/ft more than the Z06?), for a total of 75hp & 76lbs/ft of torque less than the ZL1.

Sure, it's got a 3.91:1 rear axle compared to that of the 3.73:1 in the same manual transmission ZL1, but that's 75hp and lbs/ft of torque less than the ZL1! And what all do I have to give up in order to drive a Z/28?

First I have to pay more. GM sells the LS7 crate motor minus the dry sump for about $17k retail, compared to that of the LSA which retails for just under $14k. Sure, the Z/28 has carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes (not ideal for street use) but come on, the ZL1 still has very stout Brembo brakes, (which per GM's new ZL1 parts counter says the front and rear retail for $9,647 combined!) The Z/28 gets a little larger wheels and tires (which the star pattern looks like they were stolen off a Mustang and are horribly ugly in my humble opinion,) but as far as go-fast components, that's it.

Now I'm one of the LS7's biggest fans and love the hand-built motor in the 3150lbs Corvette Z06, but it's not doing it for me in the Camaro.

On top of that, to own a Z/28 I have to forgo the very useful and functional 3rd generation magnetic ride suspension, HID headlights, a radio, and A/C is optional?! Same goes for the tire-inflator kit, interior sound deadener and carpet in the trunk, smaller LN3 battery, and 2/10's of a mm thinner rear glass (really?)

If I wanted to build a track car, couldn't I do so for a lot less than the $65k to $70k a Z/28 is going to go for? For just a few fractions of a second less in road-course performance figures (not straight line,) I'll take the ZL1 with all the modern, real-world amenities that we have come to almost take for granted such as A/C, premium radio, navigation, etc., and scratch my head every time I see a Z/28 at a car show and say to myself "to each their own!"

Am I wrong here? Am I the only one who sees the new Z/28 and am just not that impressed? For me, the new Z/28 maybe more expensive than the ZL1, but the ZL1 is still King of the Camaro, and I'm fine with that.