Thread: Will the Camaro ZL1 out-perform the Shelby GT500? I don't buy it.

According to Autoguide and Chevy's Chief Engineer, the less powerful and heavier Camaro ZL1 is going to outperform the Shelby GT500.

ZL1: 580 hp. 556 lb-ft of torque. 4,120-lb body
GT500: 650 hp. 600 lb-ft of torque. 3,850-lb body

Unless Chevy boosts the power above the 600 mark (which I'm surprised they didn't in the first place, to be honest), I don't see it happening. I really liked the look of the Camaro over the mustang, too.

Camaro ZL1 Will Outperform Shelby GT500 Says Chief Engineer | AutoGuide.com News

Whats keeping chevy from making the camaro more powerful is the corvette.

There's no chance the Camaro will be better then the GT500

The PowerPoint I saw was comparing the car to the 2012 GT500, which is not the 650HP 2013. Very different comparison.

Chevy is basing it's argument off what's currently on the market. This is typical Automotive sales manipulation.

Originally Posted by kerryt1

The PowerPoint I saw was comparing the car to the 2012 GT500, which is not the 650HP 2013. Very different comparison.

In the article, they say the 2013 GT500.

Well it just beat the Laguna Seca Boss around the ring which Ford claimed is their best track car. Where GM screwed up is posting the ZL1's ring times way before the GT500 comes out so Ford knows the exact target they need to hit. It also gives them time to go back to the drawing board if in fact the GT500 came up short in previous testing where Ford wouldn't give the times.

On paper the Camaro wouldn't have a chance because it's heavier and less powerful but the suspension is proving to be incredible at putting the power to the ground and it appears that Chevy feels the GT500 can only use so much power with the live rear axle setup. My guess is that they will be so close that even an excellent driver won't ever get near the times these cars are throwing down so actual ring times will mean very little to anyone other than internet bench racers.

Why not? The GTR is heavy, everyone here seems to think so, and it out performs many supercars.

The mustang GT500/650 is FORD's halo car while the Camaro is not GM's halo car. That belongs to the vette. So while GM has to limit how powerful the camaro can be, ford doesn't have to worry about that, meaning they can r&d that thing til it beats any other car in it's segment. Ford needs a better, newer more super type of halo car because I wouldn't throw that type of cash around for a Mustang

Same thing with the Challenger. They can stuff a Viper engine in that thing but it won't ever happen, from the factory anyway.

Originally Posted by nando1

Why not? The GTR is heavy, everyone here seems to think so, and it out performs many supercars.

The mustang GT500/650 is FORD's halo car while the Camaro is not GM's halo car. That belongs to the vette. So while GM has to limit how powerful the camaro can be, ford doesn't have to worry about that, meaning they can r&d that thing til it beats any other car in it's segment. Ford needs a better, newer more super type of halo car because I wouldn't throw that type of cash around for a Mustang

Same thing with the Challenger. They can stuff a Viper engine in that thing but it won't ever happen, from the factory anyway.

The Ford GT is their Halo car.

Originally Posted by Aarron_M

The Ford GT is their Halo car.

I think he means a normally produced halo car.