The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is poised to defecate on the entire pony car class, or just about anything with a 2+2 configuration, on any given road course.
Enter Ralph Giles, the charismatic head of the SRT brand, who whispered to Motor Trend during the 2013 New York Auto Show that there will soon be “an answer to the Z/28.” Tantalizing, but whatever the vehicle might be is a mystery.
Motor Trend speculates that a Camaro Z/28 rival could be an SRT Challenger with a high-output 6.4L Hemi V8 “392” motor with minimal amenities to decrease the rather heavy weight of the car, though we like to think Giles is hinting at an all-new model on the horizon — one that’s rumored to be called “Barracuda.” Either way, it sure would be interesting if SRT, or even Ford, can come out with anything close to the 500-horsepower, LS7-powered track Camaro with DSSV shocks.
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There was 1970 dodge challenger T/A and the Plymouth Cuda AAR that was built for trans am racing to compete with the Z/28 and the Boss 302. So dodge has a historical reference for their new car if it comes to life. Back in 2011 dodge at the sema show had a challenger ACR That consisted of you guessed it lighter weight upgraded suspension and exhaust. So this should be a easy job for dodge to maker the ACR a production car.. So on that note Let the games begin.
I doubt it’ll be Challenger, it will more likely be under the Cuda name which is replacing the Challenger in 2014, as a 2015MY car I believe.
The Challenger is NOT, REPEAT…….. NOT GOING AWAY! THE BARRACUDA IS A SEPARATE CAR! This has already been reported! 2015 Challenger will be redesigned.
Right….
It will be difficult on the Challenger as they have just so much bulk and the car needs lowered much as the weight is way too high.
It may be a good car but I do not think it will pose any problem to the lap times of the Z.
Until Chrysler gets a new car they should just stick to the drag strip with this one.
Not a mopar fan but how u make a power full car on n automatic…
Automatics are just as good, and a lot of times, better than a manual. Manuals are outdated and obsolete! Why hassle with shifting when an auto does it better for you. Better performance these days with a manual is a myth!
Does Dodge even have anything that can hold a candle to an LS series motor, let alone the LS7? Last I checked, the Challenger’s answer to the Camaro SS LS3 was a 6.4 that was less powerful. Not sure Challenger has the chops to challenge Camaro here. The closest is the Boss, and even that needs more power… Cuda may be a different story.
Its not all about Power. Has more to do with Power-to-Weight ratio. Z/28 and the Boss 302 should be close in that regard.
What places the Z/28 at the advantage is its patented magnetorheological suspension and its huge “305” rubber at all four corners.
The only way I see the Challenger “TA” even coming close to competing with the other two is by borrowing Powertrain, suspension, and tires from the Viper. It also needs to go on a huge diet and removing the AC isn’t enough.
Z28 doesnt have the MRC suspension
According to those involved in the Z/28′s development, the unique suspension configuration features what’s called a dynamic suspension spool valve (DSSV) dampening system
Here’s some more about DSSV:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/03/2014-camaro-z28-and-aston-martin-one-77-what-do-they-have-in-common/
Maybe they will try and stick a v/10 in something again.
The Z28 is more than just a “motor”. And the fact is that a “motor” is all MOPAR has. Their “hemi” is all they have ever had but when it comes down to tuning the car’s suspension they are clearly in the minor leagues. The Z28 is a real road race car that has been expertly tuned by the best suspension team in the world! That is not BS it is fact! To the dismay of many of us Corvette guys, we even have to admit that the Z28 will outperform the new C7 with its current LT1 engine. (Hopefully the Z06 will remedy that in 2015 but for 2014 the Z28 and ZL1 are the kings of performance) The new Z28 has been engineered and designed to be a pure performance race car. It is pretty clear to anyone who knows performance cars that the Z28 is the real deal and the engineering team that designed and tuned the suspension and brakes were the top guys (non generic) in the field. And no matter what or who MOPAR throws at the SRT, the fact remains they do not have Mark Stielo, the design/builder of the infamous “Red Devil” 69 Camaro that beat the 2012 ZL1 in a head to head shoot out on a road course. Steilo was a key engineer in the design-build of the new Z28 together. So let the MOPAR guys throw their “hemi” at the Z28 – on the race track it doesn’t have a “snowball’s chance in hell”
Sure the Z28 is being “Poised” to decimate the pony car class. So was last years Camaro with the 1LE package. That car couldn’t compete with the Boss 302 and I can’t wait to see the Z28 against the Boss 302. They might be able to say the Z28 is the best track car for sale in 2014 as the Boss 302 stopped production in 2013. (coincidence) As for the SRT Challenger – good luck playing with the big boys!
According to Motor Trend lap times around Leguna Seca, the 1LE was faster than the 302 by a full four seconds. So nobody should be talking about comparing a Z/28 to a car that couldn’t even match up to a lesser Camaro model. A Boss 302 and a Z/28 don’t even belong in the same sentence.
Just checked out you tube, you are so right , they said the 1LE is close to the nissan GTR on the track, the coyote 302 can’t cut it against the camaro, period!!
I followed your leads. My searches led nowhere. Laguna Seca Race track has a list of top lap times and the 1LE is not on it. Motor Trend has a head to head between the Camaro SS 1LE and Mustang GT, but not the 1LE and the Boss.
The articles I found were the same as before. Road and Track stats for Boss 302 LS: 0-60 4.1s 1/4 mile 12.3s. Camaro 1le: 0-60 4.7s 1/4 mile 13.1s. Motor Trend stats for Boss 302 LS: 0-60 4.0s 1/4 mile 12.3s. Camaro 1le: 0-60 4.3s 1/4 mile 12.7s.
When I searched Camaro 1le Laguna Seca lap times I didn’t find that it has ever done a lap at Laguna Seca or a least a published lap. What came up was a lap performed on Virginia International Raceway. There the Camaro performed an astounding lap and beat out several unexpected contenders including the Boss 302 (by 4 seconds). The lap was performed by the Chevy Race Team and only Chevy’s were raced that day. I also read that they didn’t use the stock tires and used very sticky race tires. An unbiased head to head would be nice to have, but I don’t need it.
“Boss 302 and Z/28 don’t even belong in the same sentence” Are your serious? Both cars were originally built in the late 60’s to compete in the same Trans Am races against each other. The Z/28 is Chevy’s answer to the Boss 302. Remember without the 2012 Boss 302 there would be no 2014 Z/28.
I am glad to see Chevy coming back swinging. The 2015 Mustang is going to be the next blow from Ford and hopefully we can continue to see the Muscle Car wars thrive throughout the upcoming years. America once again is building cars that people want to buy.
By the way, if you have any links to the information you posted earlier shoot them my way.
I’ll admit to goofing. I meant to refer to Virginia International Raceway, of which the 1LE was officially 4.46 seconds faster than a Boss 302, which is sadly discontinued (http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/07/2013-chevy-camaro-1le-crushes-mustang-boss-302s-vir-lap-time-by-4-46-seconds-video/). In either case, the best lap time goes to the Camaro. Now, in terms of a quarter-mile, the ‘Stang wins every day. But that’s not what the game is all about anymore. Also, the ’60s was the ’60s. And the fact that the new Z/28 is an average of 3 seconds faster around the Milford Road Course than a ZL1 — which has already proven itself as a supercar — is the main reason why today’s 302 is nowhere close to the upcoming Z/28.
The Z/28 sounds like it is going to be a great car. Trying to convince a coworker to get one.
But for now I don’t have to worry about pulling up next to one at a stop light. We’ll see what the official specs are when they go into production and what some of the publishers think when they get their hands on them.
Before the Z/28 hit showrooms Ford will release the specs on the 2015 Mustang. Gone is the live rear axle.
There has never been a live rear axle car like the current Boss 302 and will never be again. Read Motor Trend’s best drivers car 2011 and 2012 (GT500).
In keeping with the original post. Stopped by the Dodge dealer yesterday and they had an SRT8 Core Edition. Basically a barebones Challenger 6.4L with $10K off the sticker. Still cost as much as a Boss 302!
, try this interesting link on the 1LE vs the trackpack 302
Referred to that in my previous comment. 1LE VS Mustang GT. Not Boss 302. Current Mustang GT comes with the “Track Pack” standard.