2012 gt500 vs 2012 Zl1 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Unobtainium · 03-04-2012, 08:15 PM

Why has nobody done this comparo?
I get the 2013 gt500 is gonna be great, but why not match current models?
I mean the boss 302 comparo made no more sense than the SS/boss302 comparo.

LEADfoot927 · 03-04-2012, 08:18 PM

*Mr. Wyndham* · 03-04-2012, 08:21 PM

This has been covered ad nauseum...

It boils down to a few things...

1) The '13 specs was announced, making the '12 obsolete. In short -- nobody cares.

2) It was assumed the ZL1 wouldn't be able to out-race the Boss Mustang by many, including MotorTrend, the people who did the comparison....it makes sense, then, that they'd try to give the advertised "Track Camaro" a challenge with the advertised "Track Mustang".

3) Magazines like to generate attention and sales...Having two GT500 vs ZL1 articles out within a year wouldn't very effective because there's no guarantee the GT500 will upset the comparison...and without that as a headline, the model year difference would be lost on many. But by writing a Boss vs ZL1, then a GT500 vs ZL1...that will catch some peoples' eye, because it's "new".

In the end, I believe #3 and #2 had the most impact on this decision.

That said....at least it was a Mustang....whereas other magazines compared the gtr, or Grand Sport Corvette.

Unobtainium · 03-04-2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

This has been covered ad nauseum...

It boils down to a few things...

1) The '13 specs was announced, making the '12 obsolete. In short -- nobody cares.

2) It was assumed the ZL1 wouldn't be able to out-race the Boss Mustang by many, including MotorTrend, the people who did the comparison....it makes sense, then, that they'd try to give the advertised "Track Camaro" a challenge with the advertised "Track Mustang".

3) Magazines like to generate attention and sales...Having two GT500 vs ZL1 articles out within a year wouldn't very effective because there's no guarantee the GT500 will upset the comparison...and without that as a headline, the model year difference would be lost on many. But by writing a Boss vs ZL1, then a GT500 vs ZL1...that will catch some peoples' eye, because it's "new".

In the end, I believe #3 and #2 had the most impact on this decision.

That said....at least it was a Mustang....whereas other magazines compared the gtr, or Grand Sport Corvette.

Is the 2012 Boss 302 faster around a track than a 2012 gt500? That would make sense not to test it.
I guess 2 and 3 make sense. Hopefully Chevy steps up all models for 2014. Camaro and Corvette. They have a bunch of cars nearing the step up. The zl1 is really biting at the corvette, and even the z06 is biting at the zr1.
Also, Ford is doing a big update that year.

*Mr. Wyndham* · 03-04-2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unobtainium

Is the 2012 Boss 302 faster around a track than a 2012 gt500? That would make sense not to test it.
I guess 2 and 3 make sense. Hopefully Chevy steps up all models for 2014. Camaro and Corvette. They have a bunch of cars nearing the step up. The zl1 is really biting at the corvette, and even the z06 is biting at the zr1.
Also, Ford is doing a big update that year.

I think the GT500 is a half-second quicker around some track somewhere...but the point I was making is that reviewers simply bow to the Boss, while they only seem to tip their hat at the GT500 in comparison...at least that's the impression I get...

Corvette is due to a new generation soon...I'm interested to see what they'll do with it.

motorhead · 03-04-2012, 09:56 PM

Simple fact is that the 2012 GT500 is soon to be old news. Like Dragoneye said above, the media needs to have something to keep people interested. I believe you nailed it Dragoneye. Why worry about the 2012 when most people don't even believe that the 2013 will be faster on a road coarse.

Unobtainium · 03-04-2012, 10:07 PM

Seems so hard to believe that they couldn't apply some 302 lessons to a car with way more power. Evan Smith said the launch control was so good he would use it. That spells trouble to me since I've heard the zl1 launch control is not that fast, just fun.
Either way, I see your point about new and shiny.

*Mr. Wyndham* · 03-04-2012, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unobtainium

Seems so hard to believe that they couldn't apply some 302 lessons to a car with way more power. Evan Smith said the launch control was so good he would use it. That spells trouble to me since I've heard the zl1 launch control is not that fast, just fun.
Either way, I see your point about new and shiny.

ZL1 launch control is magic...seriously.

big hammer · 03-04-2012, 10:17 PM

the zl1 makes the '12 gt500 look like a 3v gt.

*DGthe3* · 03-05-2012, 01:37 AM

I would also add that in order for a magazine to do a test, they have to have a vehicle. Unless Ford supplies a 2012 GT500, they have one in their own long term test fleet, or can find a rental somewhere, the magazine can't do a comparison. GM said 'here, have a ZL1 for a day. Feel free to compare it against anything you like' and we ended up with Motor Trend pitting it against the Boss, Road & Track against the GTR. I bet they both asked Ford for a 2012 GT500, and were told no.

Rock36 · 03-05-2012, 02:12 AM

If we had a a 2012 GT500 vs. 2012 ZL1 that everyone thinks they want to see, everyone would still conclude with "wait until the 2013 GT500" anyway. So we will wait for the 2013.

Other than that Dragoneye nailed it. And to piggyback on what DGthe3 said, back in 2011, when the GT500 was updated, that is when the GT500 did its testing rounds for the magazines/press.

NoWRX · 03-05-2012, 08:05 AM

GM's model years are wacked. The 2012 GT500 has been out a year now and GM is just now bringing out the '12 ZL1. A more valid comparison would be the '12 ZL1 against the '13 GT500 as they'll both be hitting the dealerships at roughly the same time. The '12 ZL1 should really be a '13, instead of an incredibly late year '12.

almach · 03-05-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big hammer

the zl1 makes the '12 gt500 look like a 3v gt.

Then that's the reason they haven't compared 2012 to 2012, no further discussion needed! Thanks!

4DoorRocket · 03-05-2012, 01:14 PM

I would love to see a 2012 GT500 vs a ZL1. Who says the ZL1 would even destroy it. For all we know it could be a drivers race. If a 2012 GT500 beat the ZL1 what would the excuse be then? Lol.

and to address the question asked above, it's not about comparing a new model to an old model. The goal here is to bring both top dogs out and have a shoot out.

03-04-2012, 08:15 PM	#1
Unobtainium Fabricator Drives: 2011 2SS Summit White Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Langdon, AB Posts: 505	2012 gt500 vs 2012 Zl1 Why has nobody done this comparo? I get the 2013 gt500 is gonna be great, but why not match current models? I mean the boss 302 comparo made no more sense than the SS/boss302 comparo. __________________ Roto-fab CAI Unobtainium Welding Exhaust ARH LT's 393whp L99 GPI VVT Turbo Cam-in

03-04-2012, 10:07 PM	#7
Unobtainium Fabricator Drives: 2011 2SS Summit White Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Langdon, AB Posts: 505	Seems so hard to believe that they couldn't apply some 302 lessons to a car with way more power. Evan Smith said the launch control was so good he would use it. That spells trouble to me since I've heard the zl1 launch control is not that fast, just fun. Either way, I see your point about new and shiny. __________________ Roto-fab CAI Unobtainium Welding Exhaust ARH LT's 393whp L99 GPI VVT Turbo Cam-in

03-04-2012, 10:17 PM	#9
big hammer Drives: 2002 ws6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: manitoba Posts: 1,202	the zl1 makes the '12 gt500 look like a 3v gt. __________________ Bolt on 2002 ls1 Trans am--- 11.5 @ 121 (1.72) 2000 da

03-05-2012, 01:37 AM	#10
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	I would also add that in order for a magazine to do a test, they have to have a vehicle. Unless Ford supplies a 2012 GT500, they have one in their own long term test fleet, or can find a rental somewhere, the magazine can't do a comparison. GM said 'here, have a ZL1 for a day. Feel free to compare it against anything you like' and we ended up with Motor Trend pitting it against the Boss, Road & Track against the GTR. I bet they both asked Ford for a 2012 GT500, and were told no. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

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03-04-2012, 08:18 PM	#2
LEADfoot927 Drives: 2012 GT500 SVTPP Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fort Lewis, WA Posts: 448	__________________ Past rides: 2002 BMW M3 2010 Camaro V6 2010 Camaro SS L99 2011 Camaro SS Ls3 2011 Dodge Charger R/T 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee/ Reso Delete Current ride: 2012 GT500/ 2.3 TVS, Afco Dual pass heat exchanger, Roush Extreme Exhaust: 606 rwhp/ 611 wtq

03-04-2012, 08:21 PM	#3
Mr. Wyndham I used to be Dragoneye... Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 31,873 View My Garage	This has been covered ad nauseum... It boils down to a few things... 1) The '13 specs was announced, making the '12 obsolete. In short -- nobody cares. 2) It was assumed the ZL1 wouldn't be able to out-race the Boss Mustang by many, including MotorTrend, the people who did the comparison....it makes sense, then, that they'd try to give the advertised "Track Camaro" a challenge with the advertised "Track Mustang". 3) Magazines like to generate attention and sales...Having two GT500 vs ZL1 articles out within a year wouldn't very effective because there's no guarantee the GT500 will upset the comparison...and without that as a headline, the model year difference would be lost on many. But by writing a Boss vs ZL1, then a GT500 vs ZL1...that will catch some peoples' eye, because it's "new". In the end, I believe #3 and #2 had the most impact on this decision. That said....at least it was a Mustang....whereas other magazines compared the gtr, or Grand Sport Corvette. __________________ *"Keep the faith."* - Fbodfather

03-04-2012, 09:56 PM	#6
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,849	Simple fact is that the 2012 GT500 is soon to be old news. Like Dragoneye said above, the media needs to have something to keep people interested. I believe you nailed it Dragoneye. Why worry about the 2012 when most people don't even believe that the 2013 will be faster on a road coarse.

03-05-2012, 02:12 AM	#11
Rock36 I just like V8s Drives: 2007 Corvette Z06 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 919	If we had a a 2012 GT500 vs. 2012 ZL1 that everyone thinks they want to see, everyone would still conclude with "wait until the 2013 GT500" anyway. So we will wait for the 2013. Other than that Dragoneye nailed it. And to piggyback on what DGthe3 said, back in 2011, when the GT500 was updated, that is when the GT500 did its testing rounds for the magazines/press.

03-05-2012, 08:05 AM	#12
NoWRX Banned Drives: 2011 STi - World Rally Blue Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 86	GM's model years are wacked. The 2012 GT500 has been out a year now and GM is just now bringing out the '12 ZL1. A more valid comparison would be the '12 ZL1 against the '13 GT500 as they'll both be hitting the dealerships at roughly the same time. The '12 ZL1 should really be a '13, instead of an incredibly late year '12.

03-05-2012, 01:14 PM	#14
4DoorRocket Drives: It's a 4 door rocket!!! Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Depends on which month Posts: 100	I would love to see a 2012 GT500 vs a ZL1. Who says the ZL1 would even destroy it. For all we know it could be a drivers race. If a 2012 GT500 beat the ZL1 what would the excuse be then? Lol. and to address the question asked above, it's not about comparing a new model to an old model. The goal here is to bring both top dogs out and have a shoot out.