Open Letter from Al Oppenhieser to the Camaro Nation and Ford.

[mlee]

Quite sure this has already been posted somewhere but this is all of the comments... not just a single line quote... as magazines are good for..

Camaro Nation:

As you know, the blogs lit up with the announcement of the new 650-horsepower Mustang GT500, and I wanted to give you my perspective on the latest challenge from Dearborn.

The Mustang has been playing catch up since the moment the fifth-gen Camaro arrived in 2009. Since then, Camaro has been the best-selling sports car in America, indicating that consumers know which car offers the best performance, style and safety.

It is no coincidence that Mustang has introduced three 100-horsepower increases to keep pace with Camaro: First their V-6 was bumped to 305; then their V-8 went to 412, and now the GT500.

Even with the 100-hp increase, the 2013 GT500 will still not match the technology and sophistication of the 2012 Camaro ZL1.

The days of “no replacement for displacement,” are over, and it’s not enough to be fast in a straight line. With the Camaro ZL1, we set out to deliver integrated performance, and be equally good at acceleration, braking, grip, and turning. As you will soon see, that’s why the Camaro ZL1 will set the performance benchmark for the segment.

Our approach was to make every Camaro ZL1 fully track-capable, from the factory. As we announced today, the ZL1 Coupe will start at $54,995 with standard Magnetic Ride Control, standard Performance Traction Management, and standard track-capable equipment such as a rear-differential cooler, brake cooling ducts, and an engine and transmission cooler.

None of our customers will have to buy extra options – or modify their ZL1 – for track-day usage. That is not the case for the current GT500, or their new car.

For Mustang fans, you’re welcome. Clearly the Camaro has encouraged Ford to throw everything they can at us.

For Camaro fans, trust me, we are always listening to your feedback, and working hard to keep the Camaro in the lead.

Al O.

[Mr. Wyndham]

They should formalize this....

Pull what they did with Cadillac, and sponsor an event where they invite buyers (and the manufacturers take part) to race around xxxxxxxxxx track in their ZL1s, or GT500s. Would make for great press and a fun weekend!

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by mlee

Quite sure this has already been posted somewhere but this is all of the comments... not just a single line quote... as magazines are good for..

Camaro Nation:

As you know, the blogs lit up with the announcement of the new 650-horsepower Mustang GT500, and I wanted to give you my perspective on the latest challenge from Dearborn.

The Mustang has been playing catch up since the moment the fifth-gen Camaro arrived in 2009. Since then, Camaro has been the best-selling sports car in America, indicating that consumers know which car offers the best performance, style and safety.

It is no coincidence that Mustang has introduced three 100-horsepower increases to keep pace with Camaro: First their V-6 was bumped to 305; then their V-8 went to 412, and now the GT500.

Even with the 100-hp increase, the 2013 GT500 will still not match the technology and sophistication of the 2012 Camaro ZL1.

The days of “no replacement for displacement,” are over, and it’s not enough to be fast in a straight line. With the Camaro ZL1, we set out to deliver integrated performance, and be equally good at acceleration, braking, grip, and turning. As you will soon see, that’s why the Camaro ZL1 will set the performance benchmark for the segment.

Our approach was to make every Camaro ZL1 fully track-capable, from the factory. As we announced today, the ZL1 Coupe will start at $54,995 with standard Magnetic Ride Control, standard Performance Traction Management, and standard track-capable equipment such as a rear-differential cooler, brake cooling ducts, and an engine and transmission cooler.

None of our customers will have to buy extra options – or modify their ZL1 – for track-day usage. That is not the case for the current GT500, or their new car.

For Mustang fans, you’re welcome. Clearly the Camaro has encouraged Ford to throw everything they can at us.

For Camaro fans, trust me, we are always listening to your feedback, and working hard to keep the Camaro in the lead.

Al O.

I've since merged the threads into the slightly older "Open Letter to Camaro Nation" thread.

But it's good to see it again.

Glad to read something like this - warms the heart of Camaro enthusiasts, and puts a smirk on our faces. It's not often you see "official" smack talk coming from either company.

It also shows a great deal of confidence in his product. Al is a great guy - and knows his stuff. He's as enthusiastic as any of us and totally committed to putting the Camaro on-top. So to read something like this from him is VERY encouraging!!

There's a LOT beneath the surface of Ford's press release that people don't get...or don't want to read into. Bottom line is, as far as I'm concerned....one of them is out and will have its capabilities proven in the best-at-all-things approach....the other is wisps of text from the desk of Ford marketing at this point.

[JoshBobGuptaMarley]

So many reasons...

[Scarrzz]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

They should formalize this....

Pull what they did with Cadillac, and sponsor an event where they invite buyers (and the manufacturers take part) to race around xxxxxxxxxx track in their ZL1s, or GT500s. Would make for great press and a fun weekend!

That sounds like a heck of a lot of fun.

[lbls1]

Just dying to see what they both put down!! This outta be good....and the ensuing rebuttal(s)!

[eric n]

Mustang guy here. I will never understand the animosity of chevy and ford guys. That said, the zl is an AMAZING chunk of AMERICAN GO FAST! The Shelby will be also. Who will be faster remains to be seen. I don't understand how ford could say yes until they had the car finalized. There is a fair amount of dialing in before production 2013 shelbys will be ready for THE RING.

No doubt the ZL has more sophisticated suspension would could absolutely give it the win. That said, the SS has more sophisticated suspension than the 5.0 and yet track times have been highly competitive. Ultimately anyone who has either of these cars has a freakin' beast and clearly one of the finest pony cars ever made.

Enjoy your cars boys, these are absolutely the GOOD OL' DAYS. And in the very near future the economy and the Greenies will have a profound impact on the world of American Muscle...

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by Crowley

I guess they should all be thanking the model T then for us even being here ..

Normal evolution of the GT500 would have taken it here anyways ..

He should have added .. sorry Chevy fans .. we dropped the ball again .. time to play catch-up.


Crowley

Dropped the ball? How, exactly?

I've said this so many times my teeth hurt - but I'll say it again:

The Mustang is Ford's Camaro AND Corvette.

Please take a look at the ZR1 and Z06 performance numbers-- and once the ZL1 hits the streets -- take a look at those numbers.........

........also - what has Ford created to answer the CTS-V family?

When you think about where the American Automobile industry has been in the past 5 years, and then you see cars like the Corvette ZR1 and Z06, the Camaro, the CTS-V - the Volt - the new Buick family - prove that we did NOT drop the ball.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Dropped the ball? How, exactly?

I've said this so many times my teeth hurt - but I'll say it again:

The Mustang is Ford's Camaro AND Corvette.

Please take a look at the ZR1 and Z06 performance numbers-- and once the ZL1 hits the streets -- take a look at those numbers.........

........also - what has Ford created to answer the CTS-V family?

When you think about where the American Automobile industry has been in the past 5 years, and then you see cars like the Corvette ZR1 and Z06, the Camaro, the CTS-V - the Volt - the new Buick family - prove that we did NOT drop the ball.

Some people (no one I'm referring to directly)...can't see outside of their toilet paper-roll telescope....And this is not even considering the fact that there's nothing to prove the "competition".....is a better CAR.

[lbls1]

I feel a lot better about the zl1 now that I see and hear Chevrolet taking on their critics. The zl1 is a great automobile, much in vein with the legendary chevrolet performance cars that were before it. It gives me reassurance that this car will be a great performer, and that Chevy isn't going to take a challenge casually.

[cherniak]

Normal evolution of the GT500 would have taken it here anyways ..

What really??

How long did it take ford to use an aluminum block in the mustake? Only in the 2012 GT500 they figured out they should. If it weren't for the camaro coming back and making as big a splash as it it would still be an awkward, front heavy, crappy interior having, 500 HP (maybe) brick.

Competition from chevy pushed the mustink were it is today, which isn't very far since ford has only released HP and top speed.....

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I've since merged the threads into the slightly older "Open Letter to Camaro Nation" thread.

Thanks... I knew it had to be somewhere...

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Dropped the ball? How, exactly?

I've said this so many times my teeth hurt - but I'll say it again:

The Mustang is Ford's Camaro AND Corvette.

Please take a look at the ZR1 and Z06 performance numbers-- and once the ZL1 hits the streets -- take a look at those numbers.........

........also - what has Ford created to answer the CTS-V family?

When you think about where the American Automobile industry has been in the past 5 years, and then you see cars like the Corvette ZR1 and Z06, the Camaro, the CTS-V - the Volt - the new Buick family - prove that we did NOT drop the ball.

^^^This REALLY puts things into perspective...

[SSBUSDRVR]

Dropped the ball? How, exactly?

I've said this so many times my teeth hurt - but I'll say it again:

The Mustang is Ford's Camaro AND Corvette.

Please take a look at the ZR1 and Z06 performance numbers-- and once the ZL1 hits the streets -- take a look at those numbers.........

........also - what has Ford created to answer the CTS-V family?

When you think about where the American Automobile industry has been in the past 5 years, and then you see cars like the Corvette ZR1 and Z06, the Camaro, the CTS-V - the Volt - the new Buick family - prove that we did NOT drop the ball.
^^^This REALLY puts things into perspective...

+1

[FSTORG5]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Dropped the ball? How, exactly?

I've said this so many times my teeth hurt - but I'll say it again:

The Mustang is Ford's Camaro AND Corvette.

Please take a look at the ZR1 and Z06 performance numbers-- and once the ZL1 hits the streets -- take a look at those numbers.........

........also - what has Ford created to answer the CTS-V family?

When you think about where the American Automobile industry has been in the past 5 years, and then you see cars like the Corvette ZR1 and Z06, the Camaro, the CTS-V - the Volt - the new Buick family - prove that we did NOT drop the ball.

Competition is good for everyone. No denying Ford has some good ideas and products, and so does Dodge. This post ads some prospective to the total performance line for GM.

Being too young to participate in the 60s, I'm thankful that it's happening again! This is truly awesome time in automotive history. As others have said CAFE will likely make it a short run again.

Fbodfather - thank you and the whole Camaro team for your passion and a great product. If everything works out I look forward to meeting you at CFIII and maybe even signing my new ZL1.