2011 Shelby GT500 vs 2011 CTS-V

[rez333]

Help me with this one, I just don't get it.

The CTS-V can do 0-60 in 3.9s. According to a 36minute SVT promo video on youtube for the Shelby GT500, they say the 2011 will do 0-60 0.1s faster than the 2010. Which makes it around 4.1s for 0-60 for the 2011.

Now, they also said that the 2011 tweaks were for handling and track performance, and in that regard they succeeded given their amazing VIR track times.

But I just don't get why the GT500 is not capable of doing 3.9s, given:
* it has a live rear axle, which if you believe all the fanboys, is supposed to give you better drag performance
* it has better tires than the CTS-V (with SVT track pack)
* it is lighter than the CTS-V by more than 400lbs !!!! (compare the similarly heavy Challenger vs the Camaro SS and see the difference in 0-60 times)
* it has superior weight/HP and weight/torque ratios than the CTS-V

So almost everything, it seems would lead to a superior 0-60 times.

I am guessing there are two possibilities:
1) the 0-60 times from Ford are ultra-conservative, whereas the times from GM are best ever times
2) the CTS-V times were done using an ultra-fast automatic transmission

Anyone else want to give their opinion? (please keep opinions scientific and relevant to the science of acceleration - thanks)

[motorhead]

For one the GT500 can run those times with the right tires and driver. It has a very hard time with traction though. I see them run at the track (2010's to clarify) ,and when they put dot drag tires with a good driver, they are smoke'en fast. The cts-v is a very well designed car that uses it's power to the fullest. I think it has a easier time getting that power to the ground on stock tires.

[lil_chef]

whats the gearing for the CTS-V? and is 3.9 GM's number or is it a time achieved my a magazine or private owner?

[8cd03gro]

Tires.

[rez333]

Originally Posted by lil_chef

whats the gearing for the CTS-V? and is 3.9 GM's number or is it a time achieved my a magazine or private owner?

GM uses the 3.9 in their advertising.

[rez333]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

Tires.

How can it be? The 2011 GT500 (SVT Track pack) has probably the best tires you can ever get. Far better than the CTS-V anyway.

[8cd03gro]

Doesn't it still have the pirellis without the track pack?

[wbt]

It is traction limited period. I can speak of this first hand with our 2010 and it is not much better on the 2011. Put some stickies on the GT500 and it is eyeball popping.

[LostInMoscow]

I say we talk Caddy and Ford into let us do a forum comparo test and write a summary of our findings. That should answer the question! I volunteer BTW!

[wbt]

I am up for it! Good idea.

[rez333]

Originally Posted by wbt

It is traction limited period. I can speak of this first hand with our 2010 and it is not much better on the 2011. Put some stickies on the GT500 and it is eyeball popping.

Aren't the SVT track pack tires "stickies"? I thought that was the point of all the hype around it. Why are CTS-V tires "stickier" than the 2011 GT500 with SVT Track pack?

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by rez333

Aren't the SVT track pack tires "stickies"? I thought that was the point of all the hype around it.

Stickier maybe....but not enough to handle that much power "optimally".

[wbt]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Stickier maybe....but not enough to handle that much power "optimally".

Indeed. I am thinking some drag radials or ET Streets.

[rez333]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Stickier maybe....but not enough to handle that much power "optimally".

but my point is, what is the CTS-V doing that circumvents this, because I guarantee that the 2011 SVT Track pack tires are stickier than the CTS-V.

Is the 3.9s time via automatic transmission? That's the only thing I can think of. GM is secretive with how they obtained 3.9s and I bet it was via the auto transmission.