For as long as we care to remember, Ford and General Motors have been fighting like siblings in the back seat. And when it comes to things like pickup trucks and performance cars, the situation escalates into a no-holds-barred cage fight. And one of the biggest rivalries in automotive history continues for the 2013 model year with Ford’s Mustang Shelby GT500 and Chevy’s Camaro ZL1. Each car represents the Mustang and Camaro in its fastest, thirstiest, and most expensive form; the GT500 features a monstrous 662hp, and the ZL1 has an impressive 580hp. But that’s just on paper. And spec-sheet smack talk seldom holds out in the real world. This is why Inside Line strapped the pair of super pony cars to the dyno.
Once the two cars hit the dyno, it was shown that the ZL1 had 497hp and 497lb-ft to the rear wheels. Not exactly lacking in power. Then the GT500 took its turn, cranking out 98 more horsepower, and 105lb-ft than the Camaro could muster to the floor.
There’s a number of reasons why the Ford engine has more power — from tech, to magic spells. We think that the handling on the ZL1 will be superior, thanks to not having a live rear axle and the fortification of Magnetic Ride Control. We’ll find out soon enough.
Although we could go back and forth on why each car is better or worse, we can admit that Ford has a greater power output, and makes for an even crazier ride than the ZL1 (in a straight line). We’re hopeful that GM won’t let the GT500 have more power for very long. We sure as hell wouldn’t.
Comments
Im pretty sure the Ford gets better gas mileage too. Which is sad. GM is kind of in a dilemna. Sure they can up the power, but I don’t think they want to put more power in the ZL1, than there is in a Corvette ZR1.
I sure hope that is not the case, because the Camaro is at the peak of its cycle while the Corvette is on the decline, about to get an all-new model. Besides, the two are completely different experiences and cater to totally different markets, budgets, and tastes. Similarly, the ZL1 makes more power than the CTS-V range… but that didn’t stop them from introducing the ZL1.
OR how about doing the Camaro ZR1
Z/28 I think is what you mean. ZR1 is a Corvette moniker same with Z06, as is Z/28 and ZL1 for Camaro
in ANY means, Camaro can have more higher performance than the ZL1…. But if this is to be done, Corvette has to get the horsepower ratings up in order to differentiate it from Camaro.
I dont know if the corvette necessarily needs to increase it’s base and mid engine offerings much, im sure the next ZR1 will be over 650hp. the vette is a sports car, the camaro is a heavy new-age muscle car, that is class difference enough.
the gen7 vette, iirc, will offer 440hp (ish) on the new base V8. and no doubt it will be lighter and have all the new suspension and electronic-aids found in the ZL1.
@Andrew exactly. There are a couple of things that are about to change the name of the game, specifically:
– C7 — that will be much more technologically advanced while offering that awesome Corvette driving experience, and
– All-new Camaro in 2015 that will be smaller and lighter in all respects.
These two changes alone will grow the gap between the two vehicles significantly. We may be in a state of great overlap today, but that will only last for a couple more years, if that.
Should the Corvette get more power or get faster than Camaro? Thats the real question. And should the Vette widen the gap with a much better interior and supercar tech like a DSG, super intelligent AWD, etc? The two cars are totally different driving experiences as it is, but the gap needs to grow, if not in speed/power, than elsewhere.
Well the Vette will be getting a all new V8 as base engine, i want to say 5.5L that will without question be more efficient than the NA 6.2 base engine and likely trump the current 430hp.
Just off the top of my head without really thinking, here are my thoughts:
Base C7 convertible/coupe=440hp, 435lb-ft
GranSport C7 convertible/coupe=455hp, 440lb-ft
Z06 coupe= 540hp, 500lb-ft
ZR1 coupe= 670hp, 630lb-ft
I definitely see a ‘track’ editing of the ZR1 pushing 700hp.
As for weight, hard to say depending on the physical downsize of the car. Obviously more carbon fibre and alloys will be used across the entire range, even 100lb drop for each model would be good to see. Good weight distribution and centre of gravity combined with the new tech and driving aids, the C7 is going to be quite the package.
Cadillac needs a halo car, they need their S-class/ 7 series fighter and then they need their halo. The corvette should be any more than what it has always been, a sports car. Sure, give it the interior it deserves and has been sought after, but leave the lux-‘super car’ game to Cadillac. That Art&Science design, especially how it has evolved into the ATS,XTS and more importantly the Ciel concept, it just screams gorgeous Cadillac super car that puts the XLR(V) to shame. And they can do so with that twin turbo 3.6L mixed with some torque happy electric motors.
I personally don’t think that the GT500 will be more efficient than the ZL1 since the GT500 has less tank capacity and there are more power to it.
Size of tank has nothing to do with efficiency, the efficiency will determine how far you can go on a certain size of tank though.
20mpg in a 10gal tank is the same as 20mpg in a 25gal tank.
but then in the case of ZL1 and M series (chevrolet provided that comparison) is that Camaro has more driving range.
ya i remember seeing that comparison, and that is pour of chevy to do that. in my eyes they are basically trying to trick the consumer and calling their customer stupid.
at the end of the day, the distance you went and the money spent at the pump is what matters.
the problem whit zr1 is brother corvette ,,,,the real test is on the track….1/4 mile just bring the copo…lol
“There’s a number of reasons why the Ford engine has more power”
That 6.2 LSA is good for a ton more power, take the Henessey Venom GT, or even just the ZR1 (sure the engine is slightly different, but close enough). And I remember reading somewhere that GM engineers had the LSA break 1000hp without breaking a sweat.
i thing gm should sale camaro to hennessy or lingenfelter
I think GM done well with “only” 580hp. Chevy won’t or can’t compeat with the Corvette, so that what limits the Camaro’s power. Ford has no “supercar” in their line up so they can get away with having 650hp.
hey everybody it’s already proven that the camaro zl1 can put out the ssimilar if not more power than the 2013 gt500. check out this article at http://www.aptuned.com/blog/1968-camaro-with-supercharged-lsa-cts-v-engine.html
and you’ll see that the same engine in the camaro ZL1 can definitely put out just as much power and torque. the output was 648 rwhp and 650 rwtq. it would have been better if ford still had their ford GT so they wouldn’t try to be so absurd with their mustang GT500. i can’t wait for ford to switch to independent rear suspension on their mustang line up and mess up on their first trials of it. at least chevy has the magnetic ride suspension down which is world class suspension and technology.
it seems like Ford isn’t openly chasing after the Vette with the GT500 but also trying to say “hey, our competition is the Camaro, but look at use, we just left the ‘King’ Vette in our rear view”
But if that’s the case they still loose. The GT500 is in Z06 territory as well as kissing the ZR1’s price range depending on options. Either way the weight and overall performance of the GT500 pales next to either of those Vettes. Besides, it’s already been shown that except for Top Speed, the GT500 can’t even beat the ZL1 at anything, not even in the 1/4. So it’a all a mute point.
also the other thing to mention is that the new ford GT500 has a upgraded 2.3 liter eaton TVS 2300 supercharger compared to the camaro ZL1’s 1.9 liter eaton TVS 1900 supercharger. if they are going to compare them they should upgrade the 6.2 LSA engine to the 2.3 liter eaton TVS 2300. it would definitely put out similar numbers compared to the corvette zr1 since the LSA and LS9 are very identical except in compression ratios, which would make this apparent gap between the ZL1 and GT500 miniscule.
sure it has a bigger SC on it, and saying the ZL1 would have the same (or close) power figures if it went to a 2.3L SC, but the ZL1 has a 6.2 and the GT500 a 5.8L engine. That argument isn’t really valid with the lesser displacement Ford
actually it is fair because the GT500 has a DOHC 5.8L supercharged engine with a 2.3L supercharger, while the ZL1 is a 6.2L OHV and SHOULD have a 2.3L supercharger instead of the 1.9L. Also whenever you Have Forced Induction on an engine either turbocharged or supercharged the DOHC will always put out more power than the OHV. So how is it not fair to put a 2.3L supercharger on the LSA in the ZL1? since the application was successful on the ZR1, what’s wrong with making the comparison more even with the GT500?