ZL1 outruns GT500 at VIR: Lightning Lap 2013
12-27-2012, 08:24 PM
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ZL1 outruns GT500 at VIR: Lightning Lap 2013 I got my issue of Car And Driver: "Lightning Lap 2013" early this year.
The ZL1 put down an extremely impressive time at VIR.
Same driver, same day, the ZL1 was 3 seconds quicker than the GT500.
That's not what I found particularly interesting though.
It beat the M5, Carrera S, and the Black Series.
The time was quicker than many corvettes from earlier lightning laps.
The 1LE's times were very good too.
Quicker than an M3 and Boss 302 from earlier tests.
Also beat the M5, Boxter S, RS5.
I wouldn't have guessed that the Camaro equipped as a ZL1 or 1LE would handle so well as to get such impressive times.
The editors chalked it up to the car being very controllable, the chassis being extremely taught, and the car having exceptionally good grip.
The article and tests made me a fan of the 5th gen.
It will be interesting to see what GM can do with a lighter chassis in the 6th gen.
And of course, any ZL1 owner would still want to think twice before lining up against a 2013 GT500 at a stoplight without a few mods first.
Here's a scan of the car's times.
The ZL1 put down an extremely impressive time at VIR.
Same driver, same day, the ZL1 was 3 seconds quicker than the GT500.
That's not what I found particularly interesting though.
It beat the M5, Carrera S, and the Black Series.
The time was quicker than many corvettes from earlier lightning laps.
The 1LE's times were very good too.
Quicker than an M3 and Boss 302 from earlier tests.
Also beat the M5, Boxter S, RS5.
I wouldn't have guessed that the Camaro equipped as a ZL1 or 1LE would handle so well as to get such impressive times.
The editors chalked it up to the car being very controllable, the chassis being extremely taught, and the car having exceptionally good grip.
The article and tests made me a fan of the 5th gen.
It will be interesting to see what GM can do with a lighter chassis in the 6th gen.
And of course, any ZL1 owner would still want to think twice before lining up against a 2013 GT500 at a stoplight without a few mods first.
Here's a scan of the car's times.
12-27-2012, 08:44 PM
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It ran a 3:02.8
So it was over a second slower than the 1LE tested this year.
Here's a full list of previous Lightning Lap times:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...to-2012-page-8
Rank Time Car Class Issue Date
1 2:45.9 MOSLER MT900S
2 2:48.6 DODGE VIPER SRT10 ACR
3 2:49.8 MOSLER PHOTON
4 2:50.7 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires)
5 2:51.8 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 (Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires)
6 2:51.8 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP570-4 SUPERLEGGERA
7 2:52.3 KTM X-BOW
8 2:53.2 NISSAN GT-R
9 2:53.5 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 (Z07)
10 2:53.9 LAMBORGHINI MURCIÉLAGO LP670-4 SV
11 2:54.6 FERRARI 430 SCUDERIA
12 2:55.6 NISSAN GT-R
13 2:55.9 PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS
14 2:57.4 DODGE VIPER SRT10
15 2:57.5 PORSCHE 911 TURBO S
16 2:57.6 ARIEL ATOM 3
17 2:58.0 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG
18 2:58.2 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06
19 2:58.5 CHEVROLET CORVETTE GRAND SPORT
20 2:59.0 NISSAN GT-R (all-season tires)
21 2:59.5 AUDI R8 5.2 FSI
22 3:00.7 FORD GT
23 3:00.7 PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO S
24 3:01.1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06
25 3:01.2 CHEVROLET CORVETTE (Z51)
26 3:01.6 DODGE VIPER SRT10
27 3:01.8 PORSCHE 911 GT3
28 3:02.8 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 302 LAGUNA SECA
29 3:03.6 CHEVROLET CORVETTE (Z51)
30 3:03.8 PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER
31 3:03.9 PORSCHE CAYMAN R
32 3:04.0 CADILLAC CTS-V SEDAN
33 3:04.0 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500
34 3:04.2 CADILLAC CTS-V COUPE
35 3:04.5 LOTUS EXIGE S
36 3:04.8 AUDI TT RS
37 3:04.9 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS63 AMG
38 3:05.3 LOTUS EVORA S
39 3:05.4 BMW M3 COUPE
40 3:05.4 LEXUS IS F
41 3:05.6 BMW M3 COUPE
42 3:05.6 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA S
43 3:05.8 PORSCHE CAYMAN S
44 3:05.8 PORSCHE 911 TURBO
45 3:05.9 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500
46 3:06.3 MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG COUPE
47 3:06.4 JAGUAR XKR
48 3:06.5 MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG
49 3:06.5 MERCEDES-BENZ E63 AMG
50 3:06.6 BMW 1-SERIES M
51 3:07.4 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500
52 3:08.3 LOTUS EVORA
53 3:08.4 AUDI TTS
54 3:08.6 FORD MUSTANG GT 5.0
55 3:08.9 JAGUAR XFR
56 3:09.2 LOTUS ELISE
57 3:09.3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE (Z51)
58 3:09.4 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT8 392
59 3:09.5 PORSCHE CAYMAN S
60 3:09.5 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS
61 3:10.0 BMW M6
62 3:10.1 DODGE CHARGER SRT8
63 3:10.4 BMW Z4 sDRIVE35is
64 3:10.5 BMW 335i COUPE
65 3:10.6 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION SE
66 3:10.8 AUDI S4
67 3:11.0 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500
68 3:11.0 AUDI RS4
69 3:11.1 BMW X5 M
70 3:11.7 BMW Z4 M COUPE
71 3:12.0 NISSAN NISMO 370Z
72 3:12.5 NISSAN 350Z TRACK
73 3:12.5 FORD MUSTANG V-6
74 3:13.0 CHEVROLET COBALT SS
75 3:13.3 FORD MUSTANG GT
76 3:13.3 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION MR
77 3:13.5 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION IX MR
78 3:13.7 BMW 135i COUPE
79 3:13.8 HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE 3.8 R-SPEC
80 3:13.8 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI SEDAN
81 3:13.8 BMW 335is
82 3:14.0 LEXUS IS F
83 3:14.0 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
84 3:14.6 AUDI S5
85 3:14.8 HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE 3.8
86 3:15.0 HONDA S2000 CR
87 3:15.7 PONTIAC SOLSTICE GXP
88 3:16.0 MAZDASPEED 3
89 3:16.2 MAZDASPEED 3
90 3:16.3 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT8
91 3:16.5 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN
92 3:16.6 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HATCHBACK
93 3:16.6 LOTUS ELISE SC
94 3:16.7 MAZDA RX-8 R3
95 3:17.1 MINI COOPER JOHN COOPER WORKS
96 3:17.4 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SRT8
97 3:17.5 INFINITI G37 COUPE SPORT
98 3:18.2 DODGE CHARGER SRT8
99 3:18.4 MINI COOPER JOHN COOPER WORKS COUPE
100 3:19.0 MAZDA RX-8
101 3:19.0 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI HATCHBACK
102 3:19.3 VOLKSWAGEN GTI MkVI
103 3:20.6 CHEVROLET COBALT SS SUPERCHARGED
104 3:20.8 DODGE CALIBER SRT4
105 3:20.9 FORD MUSTANG GT
106 3:21.8 VOLKSWAGEN R32
107 3:22.9 MINI COOPER S
108 3:24.1 HONDA CIVIC Si COUPE
109 3:24.8 HONDA CIVIC Si MUGEN
110 3:25.1 VOLKSWAGEN GTI MkV
111 3:26.5 HONDA CIVIC Si COUPE
112 3:26.6 VOLVO C30 VERSION 2.0
113 3:27.3 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI
114 3:29.3 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA
Last edited by DiscerningZ32; 12-27-2012 at 08:52 PM.
12-27-2012, 08:54 PM
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I wouldn't have expected it to be that fast with the changes GM made and all that weight still being lugged around.
I must admit, I like them a lot more than when the 5th gen first came out.
I didn't even know they offer Navigation now.
Honestly, the only thing I don't like about the 5th gen is its weight.
I like everything else.
Only thing that bugs me about the 1LE is the black hood.
My favorite colors for the 5th gen are yellow and white.
Don't like the way they look with a black hood though. :\
I must admit, I like them a lot more than when the 5th gen first came out.
I didn't even know they offer Navigation now.
Honestly, the only thing I don't like about the 5th gen is its weight.
I like everything else.
Only thing that bugs me about the 1LE is the black hood.
My favorite colors for the 5th gen are yellow and white.
Don't like the way they look with a black hood though. :\
12-27-2012, 11:28 PM
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Inb4thefordexcusemakers.
Anyone else notice the 1LE was only .9 off a GT500 on that lap time. That goes to show just HOW MUCH BETTER the Camaro chassis really is that the Mustangs....hands down no excuses on that. The 1LE is 230hp down to that car.....that's damn impressive.
Anyone else notice the 1LE was only .9 off a GT500 on that lap time. That goes to show just HOW MUCH BETTER the Camaro chassis really is that the Mustangs....hands down no excuses on that. The 1LE is 230hp down to that car.....that's damn impressive.
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12-27-2012, 11:53 PM
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The ZL1 is very impressive, why it gets bashed so much is beyond me. The car weights that much more then a GT500 and makes less power yet still put down a better lap time. GM did a real good job with the cars setup and built a great all around car since it's not all about straight line times. At the same time I do still wish it was a little bit lighter but oh well it's a heavy platform.
That being said, the 1LE is also still showing how impressive it is being just a few suspension options on an SS has beat the Boss302 several times now and it's cheaper.
That being said, the 1LE is also still showing how impressive it is being just a few suspension options on an SS has beat the Boss302 several times now and it's cheaper.
12-28-2012, 09:17 AM
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Another interesting note about the 1LE's quickest time is this quote regarding the quickest time:
"nothing upsets this chassis, though we did manage to waste a second or so with a poorly timed three-two downshift at the end of sector three, causing a bit of predictable understeer."
Sounds like it could have been as quick as the GT500 if they hadn't made an error in sector three.
"nothing upsets this chassis, though we did manage to waste a second or so with a poorly timed three-two downshift at the end of sector three, causing a bit of predictable understeer."
Sounds like it could have been as quick as the GT500 if they hadn't made an error in sector three.
12-28-2012, 09:25 AM
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12-28-2012, 10:36 AM
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I don't think any sane person doubted the Camaro was the better handling vehicle. The point that has been made is that the GT500's power is enough to overcome the Camaro's handling edge on certain tracks.
Definite props to GM for their handling upgrades. As mentioned, the ZL1 is not the story here - the 1LE looks to be the real bargain.
Definite props to GM for their handling upgrades. As mentioned, the ZL1 is not the story here - the 1LE looks to be the real bargain.
12-28-2012, 10:47 AM
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Inb4thefordexcusemakers.
Anyone else notice the 1LE was only .9 off a GT500 on that lap time. That goes to show just HOW MUCH BETTER the Camaro chassis really is that the Mustangs....hands down no excuses on that. The 1LE is 230hp down to that car.....that's damn impressive.
Anyone else notice the 1LE was only .9 off a GT500 on that lap time. That goes to show just HOW MUCH BETTER the Camaro chassis really is that the Mustangs....hands down no excuses on that. The 1LE is 230hp down to that car.....that's damn impressive.
You can see how much of a straight line advantage the GT500 has though. Even though it carries less speed through the corners, it hit a 5mph higher top speed on the course.
Last edited by nanokpsi; 12-28-2012 at 10:53 AM.
12-28-2012, 11:14 AM
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The IRS and a lot more tire are a big advantage on the road course. Unless you are a track junkie, I think the lighning lap is kind of silly but it is still neat to read.
You can see how much of a straight line advantage the GT500 has though. Even though it carries less speed through the corners, it hit a 5mph higher top speed on the course.
You can see how much of a straight line advantage the GT500 has though. Even though it carries less speed through the corners, it hit a 5mph higher top speed on the course.
Actually there are a few excuses in that post
12-28-2012, 01:43 PM
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The IRS and a lot more tire are a big advantage on the road course. Unless you are a track junkie, I think the lighning lap is kind of silly but it is still neat to read.
You can see how much of a straight line advantage the GT500 has though. Even though it carries less speed through the corners, it hit a 5mph higher top speed on the course.
You can see how much of a straight line advantage the GT500 has though. Even though it carries less speed through the corners, it hit a 5mph higher top speed on the course.
12-28-2012, 03:01 PM
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12-28-2012, 06:00 PM
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I like the GT500 more myself as well even if it a bit slower around some tracks. Fact is, if the ZL1 and GT500 were lined up side by side on the track and raced around it at the same time, the GT500 gets the jump and stays in front the whole time. ZL1 would not be able to pass at all and this is how I like to compare them. Now price wise the ZL1 beats the GT500, and it comes with a sunroof which I prefer, the ZL1 package helps the looks a bunch as Im not a fan of the standard 5 gens and its currently assembled outside the USA boarders and built by a failed company in my eyes. Now as an ex-5 time camaro owner, I have luved the GT500s, not going to spend 55k plus for any car but I will spend a bit over $40k soon and pick up a nice, clean used 2011 or 2012 GT500 and perhaps toss a pulley and tune at it and be somewhere between the two new HP wise. The average Joe and more will never know the difference performance wise but will notice 10grand plus more in his pocket.