How would you feel if the 2013 has more?

[rjansen]

Did anyone ever consider that there is a limit on how much horsepower can be put in a street-legal car? With Uncle Sam always looking out for us, we could be potentially near the end of the line before the gov starts restricting how much power our cars can have, citing fuel efficiency and safety as the reasons, etc. Look what happened in the early '70s.

So we should scarf up cars like the ZL1 while they still have the guts they have now. For next year they may go the other way. JMHO!

[piepouli]

doesnt matter to me, the ZL1 is still a better car regardless the hp

[IcePick06]

Given that GM announced the '13 ZL1 vert a while back with the same Performance figures as the '12 ZL1 coupe, I doubt we will see any changes in the performance department. They might do small changes like add the "ZL1" logo back onto the shifter or any other things they could easily add into production within the 5 month production gap between model #'s...but they would need to do extensive more R&D before the end of May/June in order to justify spending more money on performance mods and also being able to warranty the parts and Frankly I don't think they have the time to do that. They will be busy pumping out the rest of the '12 orders and then getting that gap ready on the production line before '13 orders start rolling in.

So to answer the OP, YES I would be a little upset, but because my common sense is working at full capacity I doubt GM would be able to increase the performance that much in such a short time, so I will likely "survive" as a TOP CAMARO DOG until 2014

Oh, plus you guys have to remember that Mr. Al Oppenheiser is claiming that he expects the '12 ZL1 to outperform the '13 GT500 even though the numbers would prove otherwise (including in 0-60mph category). That means the '13 GT500 first needs to hit the streets or the hands of magazine editors in order for there to be a "FORMAL" showdown...this won't likely happen for about 2-3 more months. By that time it will likely be too late for Al and the Camaro team to do any significant changes to the powertrain of the ZL1 for '13 as they would need more R&D time...therefore I come to the conclusion that if anything colors or minor options will change for '13 and that's it.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by rjansen

Did anyone ever consider that there is a limit on how much horsepower can be put in a street-legal car? With Uncle Sam always looking out for us, we could be potentially near the end of the line before the gov starts restricting how much power our cars can have, citing fuel efficiency and safety as the reasons, etc. Look what happened in the early '70s.

So we should scarf up cars like the ZL1 while they still have the guts they have now. For next year they may go the other way. JMHO!

Difference is, the early 70's were when the first set of emissions laws hit. The industry went from 'anything goes' to having to meet a standard. That effectively ended high performance big block engines right there. But those regulations already exist now, and it is impossible for them to get substantially tighter. Fuel economy ... CAFE already exists. And again, its not going to be going up substantially from what is on the books today. If anything, it will get slackened or replaced with something else.

[BiggFoot]

I voted that it wouldnt matter.

My reasoning - Lets face it, any significant increase in performace on a 2013 ZL1 would carry with it an increase in price.

I already intend to have my car professionally "increased" in performace out to the maximum safe limit for 93 octane fuel. Yes this increased performance will come at a significant price, but I wouldnt expect GM to do what is being considered on my car for free.

[newagemuscle]

It would not be the first time GM has done this when releasing a higher horsepower model. You may recall the original Z06 in 2001. GM ticked off a lot of people that spent the extra money for that car only to find out the next year would have 405hp. Does not sound like a lot of power these days, but back then that was a big deal. Then even more recent the GTO... 350hp in 2004, 400hp in 2005.

[Ron66Vette&10SS]

Considering how the GT-500 blindsided Chevy with 650hp, I'd be EXTREMELY surprised (and dissapointed) if the ZL1 didn't get some sort of a bump up in power.

Like quite a few have said, when the C5 Zo6 came out in 2001 it had 385hp and the next year increased by +20........some of those 2001 owners were annoyed, but there was a lot more 2002, 2003 and 2004 owner that were mighty happy!

[camarofreak]

Originally Posted by tooslow

Here's a poll for all the folks who have secured a 2012 ZL1 order or who are looking to pick up one. If GM were to " up the ante" with the 2013 ZL1, performance/power-wise, how would it make you feel?

Explanations on why you voted the way you did would be appreciated.

Some times you just need to pick one because there is always going to be a better one. So what if someone comes out with a better one thats a couple tenths of a second faster if you dont actually race what does it matter. If you actually race you'll probably put a meaner camshaft in it. And if you kept your 12' ZL1 in 40 years it will be a treasure.

[camarofreak]

Voted wouldnt matter

[ron10]

think about the mustang guys,ford was selling the 4.6 L ,then out of the blue , changes to the 5.0 L , that would have got me upset if i had the 4.6 L and this happened in the same year.

[kbar4782]

I voted that it didn't matter. I plan on keeping this car for the rest of my life and wanted the first MY. I figured that it would some kind of bump in hp next year, but I will have the original 2012. Who knows what it might be worth someday. Like it has already been said. The majority of us can't drive it to A level where you really reap the benefits the car has to offer, but we can say that we own a ZL1. I think it's a great car and I don't think there will be much of a difference in the test between it and the 2013 GT500.

[1st Gen Forever]

It really wouldn't matter to me because I intend to mod my ZL1 unless it's 1-68 off the assembly line. I doubt I could get that lucky.

I wouldn't expect the ZL1 to stay the same year after year. Especially if the competition offers better performance value. If I wanted to by the best of a series stock, I would wait and buy used once it peaked.

[tooslow]

Originally Posted by camarofreak

And if you kept your 12' ZL1 in 40 years it will be a treasure.

Maybe. One thing you have to remember though, newer cars with all the polyurethane and plastic are not going to hold up as well over time as the original muscle cars. With them, rust was your biggest enemy, with newer cars, chemical breakdown is the foe. Besides, if you look at the average age of the majority of people on the ZL1 buyers list, how many of them are even going to be alive in forty years?!

[kbar4782]

I hope to be. Lol