Camaro Chief Engineer on the LSA ZL1 vs 2013 5.8L GT500
01-20-2012, 04:30 PM
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Camaro Chief Engineer on the LSA ZL1 vs 2013 5.8L GT500 Camaro chief claims ZL1 will outperform Shelby GT500
By John Neff
Posted Jan 20th 2012 2:00PM
It would seem on paper that the 2013 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 should easily slay the heavier and less powerful 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1. The former weighs 3,850 pounds and brings 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque to the table, the latter carries 4,120 pounds and 580 hp/556 lb-ft.
Not so fast, says Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser (above). Speaking with Autoblog at an Arizona drive event for the Camaro ZL1, Oppenheiser told us, "We've done simulations. We predict that the ZL1 will be quicker to 60 than the [2013] GT500... We ran the Nürburgring and released a time. Ford took the GT500, too, and never released a time. I guess you can draw your own conclusions."
When asked point-blank if he thought the ZL1 would be quicker around the 'Ring, Oppenheiser replied, "No question."
Them sounds like fighting words, especially in the face of data that suggests the opposite is true. Remember, this is the same guy who told Mustang fans "you're welcome" for encouraging Ford to throw everything it can at the Camaro.
But we're not counting Oppenheiser among the crazy just yet. All that power generated by the GT500's supercharged 5.8-liter V8 will be for naught if it can't reach the ground without turning into tire vapor, and let's not forget that the Blue Oval's bomber is still dragging around a solid rear axle, compared to the all-independent suspension sporting third-generation Magnetic Ride shocks on the ZL1. And who's doing the driving can always be the great equalizer when talking 'Ring times.
We're still inclined to put our chips on the blue square, but nothing's certain until these two titans of Detroit meet head-to-head.
By John Neff
Posted Jan 20th 2012 2:00PM
It would seem on paper that the 2013 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 should easily slay the heavier and less powerful 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1. The former weighs 3,850 pounds and brings 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque to the table, the latter carries 4,120 pounds and 580 hp/556 lb-ft.
Not so fast, says Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser (above). Speaking with Autoblog at an Arizona drive event for the Camaro ZL1, Oppenheiser told us, "We've done simulations. We predict that the ZL1 will be quicker to 60 than the [2013] GT500... We ran the Nürburgring and released a time. Ford took the GT500, too, and never released a time. I guess you can draw your own conclusions."
When asked point-blank if he thought the ZL1 would be quicker around the 'Ring, Oppenheiser replied, "No question."
Them sounds like fighting words, especially in the face of data that suggests the opposite is true. Remember, this is the same guy who told Mustang fans "you're welcome" for encouraging Ford to throw everything it can at the Camaro.
But we're not counting Oppenheiser among the crazy just yet. All that power generated by the GT500's supercharged 5.8-liter V8 will be for naught if it can't reach the ground without turning into tire vapor, and let's not forget that the Blue Oval's bomber is still dragging around a solid rear axle, compared to the all-independent suspension sporting third-generation Magnetic Ride shocks on the ZL1. And who's doing the driving can always be the great equalizer when talking 'Ring times.
We're still inclined to put our chips on the blue square, but nothing's certain until these two titans of Detroit meet head-to-head.
01-20-2012, 04:37 PM
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since when did we all become autocross warriors???? thats the only argument GM has been claiming, "the ZL1 is faster at the Nürburgring..." who gives a flyin flip if its faster at the Nürburgring, most people here are gonna drag race it, and to that point, it will get its *** dragged down the track by the GT500.
01-20-2012, 05:02 PM
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since when did we all become autocross warriors???? thats the only argument GM has been claiming, "the ZL1 is faster at the Nürburgring..." who gives a flyin flip if its faster at the Nürburgring, most people here are gonna drag race it, and to that point, it will get its *** dragged down the track by the GT500.
01-20-2012, 06:55 PM
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since when did we all become autocross warriors???? thats the only argument GM has been claiming, "the ZL1 is faster at the Nürburgring..." who gives a flyin flip if its faster at the Nürburgring, most people here are gonna drag race it, and to that point, it will get its *** dragged down the track by the GT500.
01-20-2012, 07:37 PM
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ZL1 will win the magazine tests. GT500 will dominate at your local strip...if the buyer knows to fit it with DRs. GT500 will win the my dick is bigger than yours battle.
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01-20-2012, 07:40 PM
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If both cars get traction at the drag strip, this is seriously a no-brainer. The 'Ring time is what is up for debate. My guess is Ford can't match the ZL1's time, and that's why it hasn't released a time yet. With the technology in the ZL1, I don't doubt that it will be the better car for all-around performance. But to deny that the GT500 will hand the ZL1 its *** on the drag strip (assuming good traction) is a bit naive.
01-20-2012, 08:01 PM
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If both cars get traction at the drag strip, this is seriously a no-brainer. The 'Ring time is what is up for debate. My guess is Ford can't match the ZL1's time, and that's why it hasn't released a time yet. With the technology in the ZL1, I don't doubt that it will be the better car for all-around performance. But to deny that the GT500 will hand the ZL1 its *** on the drag strip (assuming good traction) is a bit naive.
I think it's funny how this guy keeps trying to defend the ZL1 against a car that hasn't been released yet, while all Ford has said is they made it to increase the gap between the Boss and the GT500. I think that shows that this guy already knows the ZL1 is going to get its *** handed to it everywhere.
I can't recall the last time the chief engineer of a car was bench racing his car against one that hasn't come out yet, only to talk about how much better his car is then one he and nobody else hasn't tested.
BOSS APPROVED!
01-20-2012, 09:04 PM
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The best thing about this argument is that we can have it in the first place.
Just think about the stock performance figures of these cars, they are both remarkable vehicles and it`s nothing short of a miracle that we have cars with this type of performance. Everyone should keep defending and debating both cars, it fuels the fire of competition.
The stock performance numbers are mostly for bragging rights and that does sell cars, but we all know how long someone will keep a car stock if they are racing it on a regular basis.
I like both cars, but I`m a GM guy, so I will be buying the ZL1(I Wish). I`m sure there are a lot of Ford guys who will buy the GT500, because it`s a Ford and that brand association will probably factor into the majority of the sales figures.
We still have it good, never forget that!!
Just think about the stock performance figures of these cars, they are both remarkable vehicles and it`s nothing short of a miracle that we have cars with this type of performance. Everyone should keep defending and debating both cars, it fuels the fire of competition.
The stock performance numbers are mostly for bragging rights and that does sell cars, but we all know how long someone will keep a car stock if they are racing it on a regular basis.
I like both cars, but I`m a GM guy, so I will be buying the ZL1(I Wish). I`m sure there are a lot of Ford guys who will buy the GT500, because it`s a Ford and that brand association will probably factor into the majority of the sales figures.
We still have it good, never forget that!!
01-20-2012, 09:44 PM
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01-20-2012, 10:53 PM
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lol GM is saying all of this because of their "simulations." Give me a break. They sound extremely butt-hurt about the new gt500. I'm really looking forward to some real world tests to come out. I love how the chevy guys are always about raw horsepower and the street performance, but now that the tables have turned it's all about which one sells more and a track that's 7000 miles away.
