Community Question: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Or Cadillac CTS-V Coupe?
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In the General Motors family, there are currently two high-performance four-seat coupes — each powered by a supercharged 6.2L LSA V8, each targeting a distinctively different crowd. The first is the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. The Second is the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Consider whatever is most important to you. Some might prefer the Camaro ZL1 for its latest-generation magnetic ride control suspension system and 24-horsepower advantage over the Super Caddy. Some would rather have the Cadillac for the looks, and the immaculate Recaro racing seats. There’s also the track-covered warranty of the ZL1 to consider.
So, which one is calling your name?
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This is actually a great question. When I worked at the Cadillac dealership we asked ourselves this question all the time. For 24hp difference, it’s tough. You can get the style, the posh, and elegance that comes with a caddy plus the super power. Or you can get a out of this world muscle car. To be truthful, it’s a hard sell on which one to take.
The V coupe has an extra ~100lbs to throw around (ZL1 4120, V coupe 4217, unless my quick google of curb weight screwed). But those power figures the weight is meaningless. On the track, that extra power, less weight, and next gen MRC suspension in the ZL1 will rein supreme and much like the ZL1 can take down the much more powerful 2013 GT500 it will dismantle the V coupe in, through, and out of, every turn as well. Not to mention once your amateur at best racing skills gets that rear under control and those 12″ rear tires are done billowing smoke after every turn exit it will over power the V on the straights.
BUT, that’s the track, and that doesn’t matter because you aren’t going to track either car. And in the off chance you do take it to a road course for a track day, you wont have the skill to drive these cars to their full potential, might as well have taken your unicorn to the track,
So as daily drivers, every comparison review has said the ZL1 is much more easy to live with, hell it is docile in fact, compared to the brute GT500. That fancy suspension comes into it’s own once again. But when you take to the street in both the V or the ZL1, no matter if the ZL1 has the new best magnetic ride control, they will behave unnoticeable the same on the road. The track, the new set up wins, bumming around town and cruising at 80 in the fast lane, you wont notice a thing in term of suspension.
Not to mention, jumping back to the track, these cars weigh over 4000lbs, if you want a high power GM machine, the Corvette and its svelte ~3300lbs is weighting (pun intended) for you.
The V coupe is my daily driver, well would be if given the choice between the two. A high power Camaro? ya cool, it’s expected. I high power Caddy that looks like the tip of a spear under duress (or arrow as the Morpheus commercial says), that’s just bad ass.
Heated and cooled recaro seats, more toys in the cabin, enough grunt and oomph that you’ll never notice the different between the two.. list goes on. It is the kind of car that when you go to pick up an unsuspecting date she doesn’t just say “cool car” like she would for the ZL1, the V coupe is stunning because of the angles, the fast slope of the damn near horizontal rear window, that gaudy chrome-mesh upper and lower grille, but it also has elegance you may not even notice, it has those acute angles that get your attention, but it’s the curve you may never even acknowledge that keep you looking at it.
V coupe is my choice. I love the ZL1, but the V takes you to a different place.
*Wants the V coupe to win over the ZL1…
*ZL1 has a better N-ring time, is lighter, is more powerful, cheaper, and is available in Victory Red.
On the other hand, the CTS-V coupe can’t be had as a convertible; all the better.
The CTS-V coupe wins!
If it was between the CTS-V Sedan and the ZL1 I’d choose the CTS-V, because I think the rear of the CTS coupe is kind of ugly, so the ZL1, but only if it doesn’t have the ugly black wheels.
This is just my opinion, it all comes down to the Green Hell. The Camaro ZL1 got a faster time than the CTS-V. I am not too fascinated by a luxurious interior, especially when I’m driving a car so powerful.
I’d pick a ZL1 to ruin a Ford guy’s day, or pick the V to ruin a BMW guy’s day, either will work for me.
It would be the Caddy for me, I like a little bit of luxury and refinement, and while track days are fun, how many of us actually are able to have many track days.
Chevy or Caddy—-Blue or White collar—–Pizza and beer or Wine and cheese—its 2013 , GM has got it together . The Caddy starts at about 10 grand more in coupe form,for that same money I would go with a topless ZL 1.
Cheapskate in me says Camaro, but design, style wins for Cadillac.
In the end I’d drive off in the Cafillac.
Are the consumers that vastly different for these two vehicles. I don’t think so, the fact is now we have choice within GM for what kind of fast we want… And that is the real story… That being said its a hard choice and I am not in the market for such a vehicle… However the Caddy is smokin hot..,
Among these 2 I would pick the ZL1, however I would choose the V sedan or wagon over the ZL1. The 2009-10 CTS-V sedan’s are actually coming into range for more people now, low-mid $40′s and dropping.
I’d take the CTS-V wagon for it’s practicality… but if I had to choose between these two specifically I’d take the ZL1
@ TAZZMAN let’s compromise get box of Burgundy and a pizza with sausage pepperoni mushrooms and extra cheese. As for the car no compromise Chevys always the first choice.
If someone were to give me one of the cars and if price were out of the question, then I would take the Cadillac. Even know I love the Camaro, everyone knows it is a performance car. There are still some people that think that Cadillacs are for old people, so that would be the selling point even know it is the coupe witch looks sporty. The Cadillac is some what of a sleeper, so it would impress more people.
What a great question…..
Having driven both on the road and on the track, I’d have to go with the V. Weight difference is only 120 or so lbs I believe. The V has superior seating that the ZL1 doesn’t have. I know this sounds minor, but the steering wheel on the ZL1 was difficult to handle on the track.
ZL1 will give the GT500 all it can handle I’m sure.
V is still one of the top sedan, coupes out there and its been around for 3yrs.
I’m waiting patiently for the ATS V, now that might be interesting !!!!!!!
The only reason I would take a ZL1, is to rub it in a Ford guys face. Other than that, I’d take a CTS-V. Though I think the Camaro looks better, the interior is just too much of a letdown. And I’ll never be at the Green Hell.
CTS-V HANDS DOWN !!!