2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 650 HP! How will it stack up against the ZL1?

[Blue Maro Demon]

Depends if the new Shelby GT500 will have traction control or not? I heard people say that it does. BUT the Camaro ZL1 will be better in corners MAYBE with magnetic suspension. The ZL1 has PTM too im not sure. The Shelby seems like it will beat it because it has ALOT more horsepower than anyone thought it would have. Most people were expecting it to have 600 to 620hp not 650hp. Plus the Mustang has the weight advantage so I dont know things dont look good for the ZL1. And im the BIGGEST Camaro fan in the world but im not sure how this one will end up. Also it will depend what tires the SHelby will have if they are the same ones or not.

[liquidsmoke]

Somebody isn't ****ing around.

Now at what point in time does Chevy elevate the camaro to the same status within GM as the corvette. Because if they really want to keep matching the gt500 tic for tac, at some point they will either be forced to live with lower hp numbers or go all out on the camaro and be damned if it eats into the vette. Ford doesn't have this problem cuz all they have is the mustang.

[Quick]

I bet they will raise the price to reflect the changes...maybe why GM has waited on pricing the ZL1.This could get ugly FAST.

[Rock36]

Originally Posted by NicolasKL

Is it too late for Chevy to add another 150 horsepower to the ZL1? Even with 580 vs 550 the Camaro had the worse power to weight ratio, now it's not even close.

It has a better power-to-weight than my C6Z06...

[TaylorRyanSS]

Originally Posted by liquidsmoke

Somebody isn't ****ing around.

Now at what point in time does Chevy elevate the camaro to the same status within GM as the corvette. Because if they really want to keep matching the gt500 tic for tac, at some point they will either be forced to live with lower hp numbers or go all out on the camaro and be damned if it eats into the vette. Ford doesn't have this problem cuz all they have is the mustang.

If there was no Corvette, the ZL1 would probably be in the 600+ hp range. If ford had a GT or something similar out, I doubt the numbers would be this high.

[Blue Maro Demon]

Yeah this new Shelby GT500 only weighs 3,850 lbs and the Camaro ZL1 weighs 4,120. Sorry the ZL1 doesnt stand a chance now. This is sad and disheartening to see and realize that the ZL1 is beaten before it even is sold to market. Not only that but this new Shelby is going to be close to the Corvette ZR-1 when it comes to speed other than the Corvette weighs less that is really a blow to Chevrolet. A $60,000 car might be able to best a $110,000 Corvette.

[ColdCamaroSS]

not gonna hate on it, but even with almost 100hp more and being lighter, the performance aspect between the Shelby and the ZL1 is going to be very, very close. I'm gonna guess some of the magazines will put the ZL1 on top, others the Shelby. Again, track times, 1/4 mile, top speed will be back and forth depending on the rag. count on it.

[Blue Maro Demon]

Not to mention Ford actually has made the new Mustangs tail lights look good again. They arent the hideous lights that they had the last two years. Also the Mustang GT 5.0 also has upgraded its engine to 420hp stock. So if it was already faster than the SS before it will for sure be now without a doubt with the new body enhancements and more power to the engine plus the same light weight. Not to mention with all of this the Camaros sales could go down and the Mustang could sell more now with the exterior changing so dramatically plus better performance.

[IcePick06]

Wow this thing is going straight for the pockets of would be ZL1 owners...the 4.5 inch screen inbetween the tach and speedo is a wannabe "heads up display" (although I do like the 1/4 mile and 0-60 times posted) and the led halo ring HID's up front? C'mon ford how about some originality! One problem I have is all the track packages ford is releasing for stuff like electronic suspension and engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler, etc. On the GT500 these will be upgraded options; on the ZL1 they are standard. I hope Chevy didn't know this beforehand and is gonna screw us over on the price...they did say main competition was the 2012 GT500 right!?

[Rock36]

Originally Posted by NicolasKL

The Shelby's weight will never let it keep up with a ZR1, but new Z06 owners might want to watch their step. And unless GM pulls a rabbit out of a hat the ZL1 might be obsolete before its even released. Better hope the mag suspension makes a HUGE difference, because with a 300 pound and 70 horsepower disadvantage, plus with how well Ford has their solid axle suspensions dialed in, it isn't looking good.

Good thing I'm not a new Z06 owner ha ha, but yeah I'm blown away by this honestly. I expected 600bhp... maybe 625 bhp, but not 650...

IIRC the biggest tire you can fit on the back of an S197 is something in the neighborhood of a 315. It will require every bit of a 315 wide tire and good rubber compounds to hold 600 ft-lbs.

Tire sizes were the first thing I tried to find out actually, but they weren't mentioned, just that they were Goodyears. This car might be severely traction limited on the factory tires just like all the other GT500s have been.

[1BADZL1]

Ford will be rolling it out this coming spring.

[Blue Maro Demon]

I will say that In My Humble Opinion there is ONE area the ZL1 IS better than the new Shelby GT500 in and thats in the looks department. Sorry but the Zl1 looks meaner and cooler looking to me than this new Shelby it just doesnt look much different at all than a regular Shelby other than the HUGE amount of performance it has.

[IcePick06]

Looks like those who wait for the 2013 ZL1 will have some stuff to analyze. This thing is a beast tho fa sho! I wonder at what point is the horsepower become just a marketing ploy...surely all that power cant help you much? The 0-60 times of the current GT500 are 4.3 secs. So with another 100 hp and 100 lbs/ft of torque plus different gear ratios and launch control I have to believe this thing will be in the high 3 second range now! I wish Chevy would release its 0-60 times or do they want to wait until Ford plays their hand 1st?

[Rock36]

Originally Posted by NicolasKL

Higher gearing and launch control will make a big difference, but hopefully they also put at least 305s on it.

This is true, I'm curious what the new ratios are. The 2013 will have a 3.31 rear end and I think the last one was a 3.55, so that is a start.