Motor Trend Head to Head: 2015 Camaro 1LE vs. new 2015 Mustang 5.0 GT PP

[Austin45]

This is really disappointing. If the old Camaro beats the new Mustang then where is the competition that drives innovation? Of course the new Camaro will be better than the last which means it will be way better than the Mustang. I was hoping Ford would do a better job.

[Juiced1]

The extra few pounds is going to hurt the performance on the Mustang.

[Melkor]

Nice. Another win for the Camaro. If only my 1le worked half as well as the ones the media gets to drive.

[gajagfan]

It is nice for us 2013 folks to know that our 2 year old cars still whoop the best the competition has to offer today (for similar $). Thanks for the post!

[SilverTurtle]

the GT with PP is more aimed at the SS without the 1LE... but it's pricetag makes it on par with the 1LE, so why not compare the two? the 1LE is a more complete package than the PP is on the Mustang.

now when we see the next BOSS car, this might be a little different... but by then we will have the 2016 Camaro, so it's a pretty serious showdown... I can't wait to see what Ford comes up with for the BOSS and how the 1LE 6th will compare.

until then, kudos to the 1LE for it's DECISIVE victory over the competition

and, for what it's worth, the 1LE package is now THREE years old, not two... and Ford definitely should have compared the Mustang PP car to the 1LE before sending it out with those soft shocks and springs.

[KMPrenger]

Anyone remember this???

When Ford engineers set off to begin development of the 2015 Mustang, several high-performance cars were set as benchmarks. The BMW M3, Nissan GT-R, and Porsche 911 were just a few. However, one significant car was ignored completely because those engineers felt the existing Mustang was "already superior" to it, so why bother wasting time. That car was the Chevrolet Camaro. Yep. There's plenty of competition among engineering teams.

Think they are ignoring it now?

[baj581]

Recently joined this site, trying to feel my way around

[Stingray]

Straight from Dave Pericak's mouth. I'm disappointed.... performance-wise, the S550 5.0 w/ PP doesn't even surpass the S197 Boss 302 (like he also predicted).

[MEDISIN]

Originally Posted by serpent

The Mustang PP is not a track oriented 1LE,

1LE Package:
Larger, 27-mm solid front stabilizer bar, and 28-mm solid rear
Higher-capacity rear-axle half shafts
Strut tower brace
ZL1 wheel bearings, toe links and rear shock mounts
High-capacity fuel pump
20" x 10" front and 20" x 11" rear wheels
285/35ZR20 Goodyear Eagle Supercar tires
3.91 final-drive ratio
Unique rear spoiler
Sueded microfiber-wrapped, flat bottom steering wheel and shift knob
$3,500

Performance Package:
Strut tower brace
Larger radiator
Unique chassis tuning
Larger rear sway bar
Heavy duty front springs
K-Brace
Brembo 6-piston calipers
Larger rotors
19 x 9.5" wheels
Unique stability control, ABS tuning
3.73 Torsen rear axle
Oil pressure, vacuum gauge pack
Spoiler delete
$2,495

If you ask me, the PP from Ford aims directly at making the GT a better track performer. In fact, Ford made it a point to say it is faster on a track than the Boss 302.

Originally Posted by serpent

this is also a car that just debuted in comparison to a car that has been worked since 2009 (1LE).

The 1LE package wasn't introduced until the 2013 model year. Which means Ford had 2 whole years to engineer a competitive package for the GT. They tried. They failed.

Originally Posted by serpent

it does come with bigger tires but not at the same level as what the 1LE has: 255/275 Pirelli P Zero vs 285 square setup goodyear supercar

Ford can't buy whatever brand/size tires they want? They are the second largest automotive manufacturer in North America and they are under some kind of tire restriction?? We've already heard the "tires" argument - it's invalid.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._make_the_car/

Originally Posted by serpent

I also said maybe they are holding back and waiting to see what GM does with the 6th Gen.

That would make sense if they were the current segment sales leader. But that hasn't been the case since the Camaro re-introduction in 2009. Marketing a car that is slower than the outgoing car in a straight-line and slower through turns than its biggest competitor is a tough task. We will learn more about sales impact as 2015's hit the lots.

[lbls1]

Good work guys (and ladies)!

[lbls1]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

Anyone remember this???



Think they are ignoring it now?

That was a cardinal error on Ford's part if this is true. Ford must never be ignorant to the fact that a Camaro will always be in their face, if they expect to produce a competent Mustang.

[Camaro Dude]

Thanks for sharing!

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Melkor

Nice. Another win for the Camaro. If only my 1le worked half as well as the ones the media gets to drive.

Maybe it's not the cars but the drivers???











Just kidding..

[BaylorCamaro]

Originally Posted by SilverTurtle

the GT with PP is more aimed at the SS without the 1LE... but it's pricetag makes it on par with the 1LE, so why not compare the two? the 1LE is a more complete package than the PP is on the Mustang.

Originally Posted by MEDISIN

1LE Package:
Larger, 27-mm solid front stabilizer bar, and 28-mm solid rear
Higher-capacity rear-axle half shafts
Strut tower brace
ZL1 wheel bearings, toe links and rear shock mounts
High-capacity fuel pump
20" x 10" front and 20" x 11" rear wheels
285/35ZR20 Goodyear Eagle Supercar tires
3.91 final-drive ratio
Unique rear spoiler
Sueded microfiber-wrapped, flat bottom steering wheel and shift knob
$3,500

Performance Package:
Strut tower brace
Larger radiator
Unique chassis tuning
Larger rear sway bar
Heavy duty front springs
K-Brace
Brembo 6-piston calipers
Larger rotors
19 x 9.5" wheels
Unique stability control, ABS tuning
3.73 Torsen rear axle
Oil pressure, vacuum gauge pack
Spoiler delete
$2,495

If you ask me, the PP from Ford aims directly at making the GT a better track performer. In fact, Ford made it a point to say it is faster on a track than the Boss 302.

Exactly. The Mustang GT is a direct competior to the Camaro SS. The Mustang GT PP is a direct competitor to the Camaro SS/1LE.

Originally Posted by MEDISIN

Ford can't buy whatever brand/size tires they want? They are the second largest automotive manufacturer in North America and they are under some kind of tire restriction?? We've already heard the "tires" argument - it's invalid.

I do find it very hilarious when people bring up the tire situation. You know what else a wider, heavier tire is going to do? Slow down straight line acceleration, fuel economy and ride quality to a certain extent AND cost more. Does anyone ever see someone complaining how the Camaro SS/1LE would be faster in a straight line, get slightly better MPG and ride a little better if only it had tires that weren't as wide? Nope.

You hit the nail on the head, the auto manufacturer can spec whatever tire they want, they know the advantages and drawbacks with various tire configurations. It is their call about what they want to do and how they want to spec it.