Motor Trend compares the ZL1 to the Boss 302 Laguna Seca

[hightower]

I can't wait to see mustang guys take this and run with it saying "well the Boss 302 is only 2 seconds slower than the ZL1". Ummm, no, the Laguna Seca Boss 302 is 2 seconds slower and 2 seconds is a huge difference. Put it on a bigger track and watch that turn into 10 seconds, or 30 seconds, or in a longer race; several minutes!

I know not many of them will actually do that, but I know a kid here at school who probably will. He's all about crushing the 5th gen camaro, and yet he drives an Accord....


All in all they're both excellent cars and I'd love to own either one of them.

[Silver_Shelby]

Originally Posted by Deki

Where did you get these numbers? I haven't seen one test done one the same day, by the same driver, at the same track, where the GT500 was slower than the Boss LS. The only test I've seen, the GT500 beat the LS and it can be found right here (and that was a 2010)

http://www.insideline.com/ford/musta...ng_fe_111.html

Other than that, comparing reviews from a year ago on a car to a different car on the same track hold no water, especially with different drivers. Just look at the differences in lap times on Car and Driver's Lighting Laps from year to year with the same cars, up to 4 seconds difference, or in case of the 2011 GT500 to the 2010 GT500, 8 second difference around VIR.

Good post!

[AUS10BMX]

Do people really think there is going to be a 2013 ZL1 (of improvement power wise)...

Look how long and how much time and development has gone into this car, and to turn around in just a year and throw in more power. With how long people have waited for this car, and the anticipation... I'm sure a lot of people would be pretty bummed who will be getting the 12' model in the coming weeks/months. If this is the case, why would't they just wait until next year to get the ultimate Camaro... Of course more is better, but I'm not sure they wouldn't do that, that quick. I'm pretty confident they are happy with what they have made and soon we can sit back and see how this all plays out when they hit the street.

[harrington81]

U guy's got it all wrong. They tested the ZL1 against the Boss 302 because most have said it's the best Mustang ever built. If they tested the ZL1 against the current 2012 GT-500 it would smoke it in every way possible. The current Boss 302 is a way better all around car then the GT-500. Motor Trend finally did a good review of the new Camaro. Guy's the ZL1 just beat the best Mustang ever. It's great news

[Frankzl1]

Originally Posted by mmarx82

Maybe that's because their coveted Shelby can't compete with their own Boss on the track.

Exactly!!!

[Deki]

Originally Posted by harrington81

U guy's got it all wrong. They tested the ZL1 against the Boss 302 because most have said it's the best Mustang ever built. If they tested the ZL1 against the current 2012 GT-500 it would smoke it in every way possible. The current Boss 302 is a way better all around car then the GT-500. Motor Trend finally did a good review of the new Camaro. Guy's the ZL1 just beat the best Mustang ever. It's great news

The GT500 is faster than the Boss 302. The Boss 302 was built as a "track" car because it has adjustable suspension and cooling goodies. The GT500 STVPP is still the quicker car around the road course. Hell, the 2010 GT500, before all the handling improvements the 2011 got was a quicker car around a road course than the Boss LS.

Originally Posted by camarofreak

The Boss is a VERY respectable car but why did they have it in that test, because it was faster than the car that had a supercharger and wider tires on it.

The Boss 302 and the GT500 have the same width tires.

Originally Posted by Silver_Shelby

For the Boss LS to cost $8k and 136hp less and only lose by 2 seconds is pretty amazing ! Install a Supercharger on the boss to make up for the 136 less horsepower and some wider tires to even things up and do the test again.... Then lets see who wins.

The Boss would still lose. If you supercharged it, you would take care of some of the straight line speed deficit, but the fact of the matter is, with the ZL1's better suspension, brakes, and wider tires, it carries quite a bit more speed mid corner. Also, if you did just stick a blower on the Boss, you'd have trouble putting that power down, so then you'd have to modify the suspension and get wider tires, and if you're gonna do that, might as well get the ZL1 for the same money and keep your warranty and have more luxury features.

Originally Posted by Frankzl1

Exactly!!!

No lol The GT500 is still the top dog Mustang. Boss was made to fit in between the Brembo 5.0 and the GT500, and it fits in there perfectly in both price and performance.

They should have just tested the 2012 GT500, since that one is on par with the CTS-V, and that would have been a better match up for the ZL1. Like I said in another thread, 2.45 seconds is a slaughter on such a short track.

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by Deki

The Boss would still lose. If you supercharged it, you would take care of some of the straight line speed deficit, but the fact of the matter is, with the ZL1's better suspension, brakes, and wider tires, it carries quite a bit more speed mid corner. Also, if you did just stick a blower on the Boss, you'd have trouble putting that power down, so then you'd have to modify the suspension and get wider tires, and if you're gonna do that, might as well get the ZL1 for the same money and keep your warranty and have more luxury features.

I count 3 luxury features on the ZL1, Magnetic Ride Control, PTM, and Active Mode Exhaust otherwise everything else that could be considered a luxury isn't, interior , I'd just like to know what you mean though

[Frankzl1]

Originally Posted by AUS10BMX

Power to weight, power to weight... The ZL1 will most likely be way stronger than the new GT500, I don't care what horse power number is being shown. The strength and technology in the ZL1 is what I believe will carry it in the long run. Like most keep stressing, for the money, look at what your getting! I think once it hits the streets and we as consumers get to drive it, it's gonna surprise a lot of people. The wait is almost over, let's not let numbers from a source that's obviously one sided get people upset and doubtful.

And if its just a "track car", then why wouldn't it be perfect for road driving. The streets aren't a drag strip... This cars gonna handle like a dream in any conditions.

exactly!!!!

[vthokiefan]

Originally Posted by evolve

I want to see 1/4 mile run on the same track at the same time. I mean, how many of us actually run our cars at a track and how many at the strip? LS is a great tool to measure handling performance, but I am a 1/4 kind of person just as most Camaro/Mustang people are. I understand that the Boss is a track car, but I am very interested to see them both at a strip. Last I checked the Boss will be about equal in the 1/4. ZL1 ran 12.3 and the Boss ran the same at 115.

Here's what I don't understand about their 1/4 mile test times and acceleration data:

0-100 MPH Camaro: 8.7s Mustang: 9.5s

1/4 mile Camaro: 12.1 @ 117.4 MPH Mustang: 12.4 @ 113.9 MPH

How the heck is there a 0.8 second gap to 100 MPH but the Mustang closes the gap by 0.5 seconds at over a 100 MPH with an underpowed NA engine!? I don't see how this is possible! Seems like someone screwed up at MT... or the ZL1 goes into serious overdrive in 4th gear...

Maybe Jeremy Clarkson showed up and moved the cones further down for the ZL1 run...

I would still take a ZL1 over the Boss any day.

[Deki]

Originally Posted by The IOM Ninja

I count 3 luxury features on the ZL1, Magnetic Ride Control, PTM, and Active Mode Exhaust otherwise everything else that could be considered a luxury isn't, interior , I'd just like to know what you mean though

The Boss has a harsh ride, it's loud, the interior is out of a Base GT, it doesn't even have SYNC, or HID lights, or leather seats, or Bluetooth. That's all I was saying. The ZL1 is pretty luxurious compared to a 2012 Boss.

[Frankzl1]

Originally Posted by camarofreak

The Boss is a VERY respectable car but why did they have it in that test, because it was faster than the car that had a supercharger and wider tires on it.

[ITNinja]

The news of the 2013 GT500 specs definitely stopped me from buying the 2012 ZL1 and not because I may buy the GT500, but because I want to see what Chevy comes out with for the 2013 ZL1 coupe. I would not be happy if I bought the 2012 ZL1 and Chevy then came out with major improvements for the 2013. I would think that Chevy would have to make some improvements for the 2013 in order to complete with the new GT500.

Here are the positives of the 2013 GT500 compared to the ZL1 that Chevy is probably thinking about.
1. More HP and torque. (650 HP & 600 torque)
2. Faster top speed (200+)
3. Faster 1/4 mile (High 11's)
4. Faster 0-60 (Can go 0-62 in 1st gear at 7000rpm, which will probably translate to high 3's.)
4. 270 lbs. lighter
5. No gas guzzler tax. (ZL1 has $2600 for automatic & $1300 for the manual)

Negatives
1. It's a Mustang
2. No Independent Rear Suspension
3. Rear tires are only 285's.

[Deki]

^ If you wait for the 2013, pray to Jebus they don't announce some updates for the 2014, otherwise you'll never buy a car. And lol @ the Negative :-)

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by Deki

The Boss has a harsh ride, it's loud, the interior is out of a Base GT, it doesn't even have SYNC, or HID lights, or leather seats, or Bluetooth. That's all I was saying. The ZL1 is pretty luxurious compared to a 2012 Boss.

Luckily they are changing a lot of that with the 2013, what kind of interior does the base GT have is it pure plastic like the Camaro or does it still have to soft touch and Aluminium, I've only ever driven a GT500 so I don't know how the other trims compare in that sense.