The Mustang/Camaro cat fight is heating up with GM’s recent claims that the ZL1 Camaro, despite what will amount to a 70hp disadvantage, will sprint to 60mph quicker than the upcoming 650hp Mustang GT500. Chief Al Oppenheimer also mentioned the fact that both Ford and GM have run their cars around the ‘Ring over in Germany and Ford declined to release a lap time. Oppenheimer seemed to hint that this was because the Camaro scooted around the Green Hell quicker than the Mustang.
The Camaro’s main advantage in the fight is the independent rear suspension where the Mustang still uses a live axle under the rear of the car. The IRS is sucky for drag racing applications, but for road course work, it is superior to the solid axle. All of this tension between the two companies is good for us gearheads because it means they are vital, have a pulse, and will continue to escalate this horsepower war until a near nuclear conclusion. The ZL1 is slated to roll out of the factory with 580hp but we’re certainly not dumb enough to think that it will sit at 580hp for more than one year of a 650hp Mustang being on the market. Also, we hope someone slaps one to a dyno soon after they are produced to see what the engine is really making. GM has been pretty good about underrating stuff on paper and having it over deliver in the real world.
Will the ZL1 be the quicker car in this two horse race? The numbers on paper seem to indicate that will be impossible because the Chevy is heavier and has less power, but we’ll have to wait and see once both cars are on the road and melting pavement!
LINK: Chevy claims new ZL1 will be better performer than GT500
Its funny how GM is talking shit about the GT500, yet GM doesn’t have anything for the dragstrip.
Deficit….not defecit…….lol
The Spellcheck Police
If GM really wanted to make a difference they’d force the dealers to offer the car at MRSP or sell the car online. I’m sick of dealing with dealers and their BS.
I don\’t care which one is faster where, I\’m just glad they still have horsepower wars!
To bad they both will be 60,000 +.