TriShield

"For Mustang fans, you're welcome. Clearly the Camaro has encouraged Ford to throw everything they can at us."



Camaro Nation:

As you know, the blogs lit up with the announcement of the new 650-horsepower Mustang GT500, and I wanted to give you my perspective on the latest challenge from Dearborn.

The Mustang has been playing catch up since the moment the fifth-gen Camaro arrived in 2009. Since then, Camaro has been the best-selling sports car in America, indicating that consumers know which car offers the best performance, style and safety.

It is no coincidence that Mustang has introduced three 100-horsepower increases to keep pace with Camaro: First their V-6 was bumped to 305; then their V-8 went to 412, and now the GT500.

Even with the 100-hp increase, the 2013 GT500 will still not match the technology and sophistication of the 2012 Camaro ZL1.

The days of "no replacement for displacement," are over, and it's not enough to be fast in a straight line. With the Camaro ZL1, we set out to deliver integrated performance, and be equally good at acceleration, braking, grip, and turning. As you will soon see, that's why the Camaro ZL1 will set the performance benchmark for the segment.

Our approach was to make every Camaro ZL1 fully track-capable, from the factory. As we announced today, the ZL1 Coupe will start at $54,995 with standard Magnetic Ride Control, standard Performance Traction Management, and standard track-capable equipment such as a rear-differential cooler, brake cooling ducts, and an engine and transmission cooler.

None of our customers will have to buy extra options – or modify their ZL1 – for track-day usage. That is not the case for the current GT500, or their new car.

For Mustang fans, you're welcome. Clearly the Camaro has encouraged Ford to throw everything they can at us.

For Camaro fans, trust me, we are always listening to your feedback, and working hard to keep the Camaro in the lead.

Al O.

TriShield

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

beautiful car.

bene

iTrader: (16)

This model is pretty darn slick.

MasterV8

iTrader: (7)

I'm really liking it, even though it still looks like they've cut off Wall-e's head & stuck it to the dash.

88blackgt

"Its your move?"

Wasn't this in response to the GT500 bumping power?

9802TransAm

you read my mind dude.

chaman

iTrader: (5)

Pathetic response. They are basically accepting that Mustang is WINNING performance wise. Defending themselves with the current sales record look really weak in the eyes of true enthusiasts.

jmurray87

iTrader: (1)

Sick car, It's nice to see Ford and Chevy both have a power monster on the street what good time to be alive right now. I hope in 10 years or so I can afford one of them...


The picture is old, it's them saying you have a choice in which Transmission you want.

http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro-zl1-sports-car/

Almost halfway down.

88blackgt

That makes a lot more sense.

GM needs to drop this lame gimmicky advertising and build a better car.

TriShield

The photo is promoting transmission choice from their website and they already did build a better car, a completely rounded one.

88blackgt

Completely subjective and judging from the responses in these threads, most people would prefer the GT500.

This press release screams damage control, along w/ "challenging" Ford at the 'Ring. GM looks desperate; they don't seem so sure if their car is actually better themselves(better in performance that is, they did bring up sales numbers lol)

Ellsworth

I cant wait to see one of these in person! If i had 50k laying around this would probably be my first purchase!

NW-99SS

iTrader: (6)

Agree, not the best response. Perhaps GM could throw something comparable back (they already have the engine .... nudge nudge).

However, I don't remember everyone screaming at Ford when the 5.0 bowed out in 95 to bring the 4.6 2Vs that barely made over 200hp. They handidly out-sold F-bodies and the performance segment (the small group of people on forum boards like this), modified their cars (as they/we will with these new models) to reach their hp needs.

TransAmWS.6

Car looks real good. However, to me, the engineer sounds a little scared and insecure about this whole thing.

Lethal Z

Fantastic looking ride, for those that can afford it. As much as I like it Im still not completely sure I'd spend that kinda change on a Camaro.

1QWIKZ

iTrader: (6)

The days of "no replacement for displacement," are over....WTF, seriously??? so why stuff a 6.2L under the hood when LS motors started out with the 5.7L then got bumped up in displacement over the years....not to mention the Zo6 has a 427. mustangs have the 5.0 and 5.8, and still handing the camaro its *** with a smaller motor. i guess GM has a hard time accepting the old saying of " take your *** kicking like a man"...i really am turned off by the way GM is handling the new gt500!

Boo"SS"t

iTrader: (2)

I hate to admit it, but the GT500 would still spank the ZL1. Oh! maybe GM would build a real GT500 stomper once they get their 2nd government bail-out .

Buckwheat

iTrader: (13)

In a straight line, likely. I agree with the chief engineer though. Hell, any monkey can make a car go fast down the quarter and any of the new top shelf muscle/pony cars are going to satisfy from a stoplight. After seeing the ZL1's "ring" video though, its clear this camaro is different, much like the BOSS over a GT.
But then again, this is America and 1/4 mile is king. That being said, the auto ZL1 is going to be tough to beat in a random street race from a dig.

justin455

The Base/GT Mustang looks better than the Base/SS Camaro, but the ZL1 looks 10x better than the GT500. The Updated styling of the 2011 Mustang gets diluted in the GT500, looking quite the same since 05 IIRC.

Give me the ZL1. 580hp is enough for what I would use it for. If it ever starts to feel slow, I can't imagine 700 fwhp being too difficult to obtain.