Car and Driver ZL1 review

[b4z]

Keep in mind that the track surface was cold and dusty.
I expect repeatable 3.8-3.9 0-60 times. Quarter mile times should be 11.9-12.0 at 118 mph on a good surface with a experienced driver.

[htron50]

It seems like 12.1 - 12.3 on a pure stock setup in less than ideal conditions should translate into Hi-Mid 11's with drag tires at a decent track. The ZL1 IS going to be an AWESOME icon to own. Anyway you look at it, I think the Motor Trend pro driver comments told the story, that despite the Boss 302 being the best Mustang ever built, it's a generation behind the ZL1:

"The Camaro clearly came out on top of this fight. Although the Boss 302 is probably the best Mustang ever built, it just feels and performs like it's a generation behind. Randy summed it up: "The Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca was my favorite American musclecar -- until today." It isn't the lack of power; it isn't the lack of amenities. It's simply a lack of technology. The Camaro is the benchmark for a new class of vehicle. Call it the Power Pony, the Warhorse -- the name isn't important. What is important is ZL1's on-demand attitude. Supercar levels of performance, with the daily driving comfort of a GT, wrapped in a nostalgic package."



PS: Note to Scott, Al, everybody: WOW! You overdelivered!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[radz28]

Originally Posted by htron50

It seems like 12.1 - 12.3 on a pure stock setup in less than ideal conditions should translate into Hi-Mid 11's with drag tires at a decent track. The ZL1 IS going to be an AWESOME icon to own. Anyway you look at it, I think the Motor Trend pro driver comments told the story, that despite the Boss 302 being the best Mustang ever built, it's a generation behind the ZL1:

"The Camaro clearly came out on top of this fight. Although the Boss 302 is probably the best Mustang ever built, it just feels and performs like it's a generation behind. Randy summed it up: "The Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca was my favorite American musclecar -- until today." It isn't the lack of power; it isn't the lack of amenities. It's simply a lack of technology. The Camaro is the benchmark for a new class of vehicle. Call it the Power Pony, the Warhorse -- the name isn't important. What is important is ZL1's on-demand attitude. Supercar levels of performance, with the daily driving comfort of a GT, wrapped in a nostalgic package."

Coming from a Pro driver, that's quite a great statement and speaks to the hard work Team CAMARO has put into our beloved car. Those 'Stang boys aren't laying down though.

BTW - are those Corsa tires street tires, or competition tires? I thought they were competition tires, but I'm not really finding that's the case. Regardless - that a car with a 400-pound weight penalty can come away, at that track (I still maintain certain tracks might yield different results), is quite a feat. I'm sure ZL1, and CAMARO, are only going to improve

[IcePick06]

Originally Posted by Shurenuff

In the article comparing the ZL1 to the Boss 302, they run a better time on the same track. Now granted, this is a pro driver, but the conditions are still the same. He also seemed a lot more impressed than the editor of this article.

"In quarter-mile testing, the Camaro ran through in 12.1 seconds at 117 mph"

Read more:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...2_laguna_seca/

Reading the Motortrend article and the CarandDriver article back to back and thinking back to Mark Reuss' comments after the ring video was released, it appears the ZL1 is indeed an "EASY" car to drive fast...that's very rewarding in itself. The suspension also seems to be very well praised by every magazine. I think if one wants a little more acceleration, a pulley swap should do the trick quite nicely.

[IcePick06]

It appears Motortrend squeezed 3.8 sec out of the ZL1's 0-60mph time, but they are wrong on the wheels being "cast"...that type of error makes me question their performance figures as well...

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...71&188,shopper

[radz28]

Originally Posted by IcePick06

It appears Motortrend squeezed 3.8 sec out of the ZL1's 0-60mph time, but they are wrong on the wheels being "cast"...that type of error makes me question their performance figures as well...

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...71&188,shopper

I honestly don't expect to see repeatable 3.8 60's. I see the point about the cast vs forged comments but that's one of the smaller details easy to overlook. Even GM was saying HID foglights at introduction a year ago, so I'm not too surprised. I'm more interested in what the circumstances were for the test and what the equipment was more than anything.

JMVHO.

[KLR ZL1]

Did I read that correctly a NO LIFT SHIFT? That is the first I have heard of that on the ZL1. Pretty sweet.

[b4z]

Originally Posted by radz28

I honestly don't expect to see repeatable 3.8 60's. I see the point about the cast vs forged comments but that's one of the smaller details easy to overlook. Even GM was saying HID foglights at introduction a year ago, so I'm not too surprised. I'm more interested in what the circumstances were for the test and what the equipment was more than anything.

JMVHO.

The cts-v's do o-60 in 3.9-4.0 secs repeatable in many mag tests.
The zl-1 weighs 100-150 lbs less.
The ZL-1 has 24hp more.
PTM.
Taller tires
Wider tires

I do expect repeatable 3.8s.

[KMPrenger]

MT is claiming 3.8 and 12.1

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by blackonblack2010

Did I read that correctly a NO LIFT SHIFT? That is the first I have heard of that on the ZL1. Pretty sweet.

That is pretty sweet.

[avcbm]

Originally Posted by blackonblack2010

Did I read that correctly a NO LIFT SHIFT? That is the first I have heard of that on the ZL1. Pretty sweet.

What is this new feature you speak of... this NO LIFT SHIFT?

[toilets]

At full throttle you don't need to "lift" off the throttle while up shifting

[toilets]

Although, I swear the SS has this same feature as well. Just not advertised.

[Blown355]

Originally Posted by avcbm

What is this new feature you speak of... this NO LIFT SHIFT?

I don't think it's a new feature it's just a power shift. I have power shifted my 2010 several times at the drag strip. Unfortunately, the torque management doesn't like it, and dials back the power for a second or so. Making for a crappy quarter mile time.