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

[tomsws6]

Originally Posted by 4DoorRocket

Both cars will be monsters, but one will out shine the other, and that car is the GT500. When you add in how Ford has tweaked certain weaknesses of the last generation GT500 and has added more power, yet has been able to keep it under 4000 lbs, it's quite an accomplishment. At the end of the day, the GT500 will always win in a straight line and around the track (equal drivers, because if one is a novice and the other is a pro...the tables can easily be turned.)

As for the price, I am also willing to bet the GT500 will also be cheaper. Why? Let's see, how long has the GT500 been running around for? Since like 2007? Possibly before that. It could be 2005. I am not exactly sure what year it was, but it has been out for a while now. How long has the ZL1 been out? It's new...it hasn't been out. Ford has been able to do constant R&D these last few years, where chevy, has not been able to, because it is a new car. The cost of a car, is usually raised due to R&D and what not...they need to get that money back as well as other costs of producing. Ford really didn't need much time for R&D. They only made tiny tweaks, but effective tweaks. I would not be surprised to see the GT500 price raised only a few grand. Who knows though.

The horsepower wars are definitely interesting, but will be coming to an end soon, because they can only go so far. I look forward to the wars though.

Actually I dont think GM would need alot of R&D. Remember the camaro has been out for a few yrs now so no real need for retooling. the LSA has been out for a couple yrs. All they really need for more HP is a smaller pully and a different tune. The susp. is already there.

[2cnd chance]

Originally Posted by 4DoorRocket

You do realize these people are engineers, correct? They are smart enough to find ways to reduce weight without compromising quality. I am guessing the engine may actually be lighter than the last model though...so it offsets anything they may have added to the car. It can come from anywhere though.

I have 2 words for you; really, really?! Think about it.

[mlee]

If I was worried about this Ford... I'd just buy a Corvette and be done with it. The fact remains... the Camaro is a much better all around car...

[Uneducated Guess]

Originally Posted by mlee

If I was worried about this Ford... I'd just buy a Corvette and be done with it. The fact remains... the Camaro is a much better all around car...

agreed

[2cnd chance]

There's no way to establish the better value without pricing and a head to head stat comparison.

[2cnd chance]

Originally Posted by NicolasKL

Or you could not be a fanboy and actually purchase the car that is the better value or is more suited to your needs, regardless of manufacturer.

And how can you make that calll? See post #573

[Kluch]

Originally Posted by GTAHVIT

Maybe Chevy has decided to let the HP king of North America be the ZR1, and let the ZL1 be the BMW, Mercedies Killer... or something like that... A more complete engineered car to attack the more plush coupes and sedans at that 60K price point???

Just thinking out loud...

I think the v-series is intended to be the BMW and Mercedes competition. The camaro is and forever will be linked to the mustang and all its derivitives. Corvette has no mainstream Ford competition, unless you include the GT.

Just my take.

[syr74]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

The 2013 GT500 hits dealers lots in Spring 2012.
The 2013 ZL1 hits dealer lots in Summer 2012.

These cars are direct competitors,

They may well be, but we know that the 2012 ZL1 and 2013 GT500 hit lots at the same time, and the 2013 GT500 possibly even sooner than the ZL1 will. If the 2013 ZL1 doesn't hit until August that leaves six months where the 2013 GT500 and 2013 ZL1 will compete head to head on dealer lots. And since, as yet, we don't know what is going to change if anything for the 2013 ZL1 or exactly when that car will come out (unless you know when the 2013 model ZL1 will hit lots and if anything will change) that makes for a tougher comparison. These two cars are being introduced at the same time, they are going to be built at the same time, they will compete for sales on dealer lots at the same time, and they will be compared in the magazines.

I'm a little surprised that so many are so leary of comparing the 2012 ZL1 to the 2013 GT500, as again, they are absolutely direct market competitors. Ironically, those stating that a 2012 GT500 should be compared against a 2013 ZL1 once they hit dealer lots will have to suggest a way to overcome one significant problem....Ford won't actually be building 2012 GT500 models at that point and will have long removed them from their test fleet. You may see some preliminary testing where 2012 GT500 models are tested against pre-production 2012 ZL1 models in the next month or two, but 2012 GT500 production will be over well before the first ZL1 rolls down the line so the 2012 GT500 and the 2012 ZL1 cars simply won't ever be direct competitors in the marketplace.

That this bothers so many so much looks more like a lack of faith in the hometeam's product than a legit gripe. Don't give up that easy, for all we know the ZL1 could clean house.

[2cnd chance]

Originally Posted by NicolasKL

You can't right now. Which is fine, because you can't buy either car right now.

Ding ding ding we have a winner!!!

[Camaro_Corvette]

Originally Posted by fordplay

Wow....so do I get credit for starting this thread??? I knew it was a bomb but..... ddddaaaaannnggg.

Sorry man. You were hours behind.

[Camaro_Corvette]

Ponycrusher posted it up at 12:13 this morning. 9 hours before you. Your thread and many, many, many, many, many, many others were merged with this one.

[OldScoolCamaro]

Horsepower levels are at the level of insanity without the structural upgrades to the frame and chasis from the factory to make it stick and work without fitting the car out. Thats from any manufacturer. Whats the point. The factory isn't going to deliver the ultimate level of what the performance enthusiast seeks to apply the HP to the edge of the envelope. There's a system in place to accomplish that goal. Cars have a build it in enhancement factor, IE, beyond what is offered from the manufacturer. They can be improved a whole bunch. Nothing is new here. One must still upgrade the car to satisfy the need for ones performance factor and the ability to operate same. The beat goes on...., as it always has...the game has not changed since it's inception.

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by Tigg

Explain to me how a car that is the same basic platform as prior years and subject to many of the same shortcomings could compete with a car that was SPECIFICALLY built to compete with the words most capable sports cars..

Explain to me how you can know the handling and traction shortcomings of a car with EVERY BIT of the powertrain redesigned? The car has new suspension, diff, trans, axle, engine. . . Every bit of the car responsible for making power and putting it down is new.

[lbls1]

Originally Posted by Kluch

I think the v-series is intended to be the BMW and Mercedes competition. The camaro is and forever will be linked to the mustang and all its derivitives. Corvette has no mainstream Ford competition, unless you include the GT.

Just my take.

I agree. I don't see the zl1 faring well against the gt500 without chevy at least making an attempt to answer ford. They might not need all of the 650 horses to answer ford, but (again) they must find a way to lose some of the zl1's weight.