Chevrolet engineers rocketed the performance of the Zeta-based fifth-generation Camaro to new heights with the hard-core 2014 Camaro Z/28. They bench-marked the car against top tier supercars which cost thousands of dollars more, like the Nissan GT-R and Porsche 911. So far, the Z/28 has proved to be more than a worthy competitor on the racetrack, posting an extremely fast time on Germany’s infamous Nurburgring, but how does it work as a road car and is it faster around Barber Motorsports Park than a GT-R? We find out on this week’s episode of Motor Trend’s Head 2 Head.
In the episode, host Johnny Lieberman takes the two cars out on some winding back roads in Alabama to see how they work as road cars. The Z/28 fairs pretty well, especially considering the area was getting the tail end of the dreaded Polar Vortex and the roads were cold and damp, a bad mix for the Camaro’s 60 treadwear Pirelli Trofeo R tires. They then take the two cars out on the race track for some hot laps to see if Z/28 proves to be as big of a performance bargain as its stable mate, the Corvette Stingray.
Comments
Honestly, I do not think that it is more efficient this Chevrolet than GTR in the track
But it’s good to know that at least, the U.S. has the power to confront the Japanese without falling into humiliation.
Great job, GM
Regards from Spain
This is what I am talking about. Hell yes! The Z28 will not only compete with the Nissan GT-R on a track, but actually edge it out for a better time.
You see folks, GM can and do build world class products. So just spread this good stuff throughout your vehicle line.
Well that the difference is here is not the lap times or numbers but the fact the Camaro has been made more controllable at the limit. Refinement is the key here.
Now consider this was what they did with a older platform that is not the latest nor the lightest and think about the same people working on the Alpha Camaro from inception vs. just fixing the old car.
The future will be very bright with the engineers able to do what they want to do.
I’d like to see a rematch on a warm spring day. I’m guessing the GT-R would gain a few tenths, while the Z/28 would gain at least a one second. Add a few laps to the mix and the Z/28 is pulling away even further with the GT-R’s brake fade. Strait line though Godzilla is still an effin monster though!
Well, considering the R35 GTR has yet to dominate anything in professional racing, but the 5th gen Camaro has – I’d say the Z/28 had it in the bag.