"This might just be the best performance car General Motors has ever produced"

[kaisen]

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Comparison Test



"The über Mustang is 227 pounds lighter than the Camaro. Combine that with its massive power advantage and it looks like curtains for the Camaro."

"Did That Just Happen? Nothing is more humbling than watching a car with 100 fewer horses and the extra weight of an NFL running back disappear into the distance on a back road. But that's exactly what happened when we brought the two cars together to establish which is the best-driving pony car ever. The answer, as improbable as it seemed, was as obvious as the Camaro's shrinking taillights."

"The angriest Mustang in history, the car that had face-punched the ZL1 for months at auto shows and in Web forums was being systematically annihilated by that exact car. Every corner was another opportunity for the Camaro to drop trou and wave its giant bowtie-emblazoned butt in the GT500's face.

Driver swaps ensued to ensure impartiality, but a repeat performance sealed the deal. There wasn't anything to do but appreciate the stunning piece of work that is the 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1. As one tester bluntly put it, "This might just be the best performance car General Motors has ever produced." A bold statement, for sure. But one for which there's much support."

"Then, just as we were convinced the GT500's power was utterly untouchable, we moved on to handling tests and things changed. Our first hint that there's something truly special about Chevy's ZL1 came when it calmly circled the skid pad at 1.03g — a number higher than the last Chevy Corvette ZR1 we tested and matching the McLaren MP4-12C and Porsche 911 GT2 RS for the highest lateral acceleration we've ever recorded for a production car.

Wait. Isn't this a Camaro? Yes, yes it is. The best Camaro ever."

[azasadny]

They're both incredibly fast but I still prefer the Mustang. The Camaro just looks "too big" to me... like it's out of proportion or something. Not ugly, by any means, just "out of proportion"...

[kaisen]

I'm not a big fan of either cars, unfortunately. They're just too big.
I just keep thinking to myself how incredible the ZL1's mechanicals would be packaged in a lighter, smaller body.
But I suppose that's what the Corvette ZR1 is about
Actually, even the Cadillac CTS-V

Still, I'd like a $55K lighter, smaller ZL1

[masraum]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I just keep thinking to myself how incredible the ZL1's mechanicals would be packaged in a lighter, smaller body.

like a miata!

J/k, the miata isn't really up to that much power and grip in my mind.

[VincentVega]

Interesting, thanks for posting. I wonder what the Solstice might have been. Oh well.