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2015 Mustang Sets The Performance Bar For Alpha 2016 Camaro To Match, Surpass

With the 2015 Ford Mustang’s on sale date quickly approaching, the first drive reviews of the car are beginning to trickle out. The 5th generation Camaro had a small advantage over the 5th generation Mustang in the handling department thanks to its independent rear suspension, but this new Mustang has IRS, meaning Chevrolet’s chassis engineers will have their work cut out for them when trying to match and exceed the handling performance of the 2015 Mustang with their new Alpha-based Camaro.

But first, how is the handling performance of the 2015 Mustang? We’ll turn to Motor Trend to find out, who recently had a go in fully-loaded 2015 Mustang GT Premium model complete with the 435 horsepower 5.0-liter Coyote V8. On the figure eight course, the car and its fancy new IRS suspension put down a time of 24.7 seconds at an average of 0.84g. That’s quicker than the last Mustang GT (25.0 seconds at 0.77 g average) and is also better than the track-focused Mustang Boss 302, which did it in 24.7 seconds at an average of 0.78 g. MT never put the stock Camaro SS around the figure eight as far as we can tell, but for comparisons sake, the 2013 Camaro SS 1LE did the figure eight in 24.2 seconds at an average 0.83 g.

MT says the 2015 Mustang “didn’t feel like the front and rear ends were talking to each other,” and “turning in off-throttle resulted in moderate push (understeer from the front end), which needed to be corrected with the throttle.” They concluded that they were “expecting more” out of the Mustang’s IRS, but chalked the understeer/oversteer behaviour up to the Mustang’s 3814 lb kerb weight, which is 196 lbs more than the last Mustang GT.

A 2013 Camaro SS equipped with a manual transmission (MT’s Mustang was a six-speed) tips the scales at 3,860 pounds, meaning the 2015 Mustang won’t be too much lighter than the current Zeta-based Camaro. This gives Chevrolet engineers the opportunity to offer a lighter car in the way of the new Alpha-based 2016 Camaro. The heaviest 2014 Cadillac CTS, which also uses the Alpha platform, weighs 3,976 lbs. Even with a V8 stuffed under the hood, the Camaro will be likely be lighter than the heaviest four-door CTS, which in its lightest configuration can tip the scales at 3,615 lbs.

You can bet Chevrolet engineers will be playing close attention to the handling dynamics of the 2015 Mustang while engineering their new Alpha-based 2016 Camaro. The pony car race is no longer just about horsepower, and we couldn’t be happier about that. Check out MT’s review of the 2015 Mustang here and feel free to share with us what you’re looking for out of the 2016 Camaro’s chassis below.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. For a whole new generation car, carrying the engine over from the previous generation isn’t going surpass peoples expectations. Probably for 2016 or 2017 there going to release a all new V8 like they did in 2011 after the 4.6 in 2010, I would say this is a bit of a stumble out of the gate for ford

    Reply
    1. People are thumbs uping this? Just because you don’t like the mustang don’t make stuff up. The 5.0 coyote is a great engine. There changing a lot on the engine, forged connecting rods and forged crank from the Boss and other things. Look it up! The Mustang’s a great car and been doing pretty well with the straight axel. Plus they take well to bolt ons and have a huge aftermarket support. If it wasn’t for the Mustang the Camaro would either not exist or just be boring from lack of compatition. Plus a lot of buzz over the vodoo engine for the upper models. The Camaro will have its day soon enough.

      Reply
  2. I have no doubt GM will absolutely crush the new mustang in the handling department. chevy has been absolutely killing it in the performance cars lately. id expect the 6th gen ss to take the place of the 5th gen 1le in terms of handeling numbers. With a better platfom, (most likely and LT1 v8), and extra handeling goodies for the 6th gen ss. Mustang seems dead in the water, and the camaro is setting its sights on it, with and lt1 and probably an lt4 to come i have no doubt we’ll remain king of the performance cars.

    Hellcat’s still gotta learn how to turn. baby steps dodge, baby steps.

    Reply
  3. The keys for GM are such for the Camaro.

    It will be lighter the official weight is TBA but we will be better off than with todays weight.

    The car will benefit from the investment of Cadillac as they did work on the Alpha Chevy would have never been able to afford. The road test of the ATS and CTS are a testament to the work done.

    The engines are primes and we will see new variations soon.

    The refinement in the new Camaro interior and suspension will be top notch as they both are priorities. This will be the best handling and best riding Camaro ever. Mark Steilow has shown what he can do with the old car in the Z/28 so watch what he does with a clean sheet of paper.

    In the end I expect the Mustang will do well because of the loyal base but the Camaro will be a much better car and will regain the lead with the new car once Ford has a year in the spot light.

    This is where GM investing into one model vs. trying to leverage this out over two models also helps. I loved the Firebird but it was like trying to spread one pat of butter over two pieces of toast It spreads much better over one and you end up with a better piece of toast.

    It will be interesting to see how the Turbo 4 will effect GM’s idea of a smaller Turbo RWD coupe. I see Cadillac will do a smaller RWD car but will Chevy get it too? The Toyota and Subaru are not setting the world on fire sales wise but I can see the Camaro and Mustang turbo’s both doing well. The key is to get people to drive them and learn how well these engines perform and for the price to be right to make them appealing. The Turbo also needs to match or beat Fords HP to be taken serious by the needed buyers. I love my Eco Turbo and would love to have it with RWD as FWD has a hard time hooking it up. When you can spin the tires at 50 MPH I know there is more there.

    The only thing we will see controversial will be the styling as it is always natural for half to hate, half to love and then in the end nearly all love it. We see this nearly every time. We just saw it on the C7.

    This should be fun to watch play out. I expect to see the Camaro at Detroit if all goes as planned.

    Reply
  4. For starters, the new Camaro has no need to be as big as the CTS which is bigger than the last gen CTS in size to move it up closer to it’s competition. I think it would based similar to the size of the ATS or in between the two. Also I have no doubt in the Camaro team to put up a great new car like they had done with the Gen 5, they may had to work around some extra weight but overall performance it out done the mustang. This year having the new LT1 in it will be great, hopefully MRC becomes standard, and the weight being lower.. there isn’t much I could ask for more because they done such a good job (1LE, ZL1,Z/28), maybe a 8-speed transmission the year after launch. I just look forward to seeing the car.

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  5. The new car per what GM has stated will be shorter than the CTS but the wheel base will be about the same. This should give a good ride and may help give a better back seat leg room.

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    1. Based off the many spy shots I’ve seen and Car and Driver’s take on the spy shots, the new Camaro appears to have the same wheelbase as the ATS coupe, and not the CTS. It would be absurd to make a pony car the size of a mid sized car(CTS) anyway.

      Reply
      1. I could mistaken but I swore I saw where they said it would be CTS wheel base. As when I read this it made sense to me that there was an ATS coupe and not CTS size coupe to compete with the Camaro in size.

        The car is nearly the size of a Impala as this is one of the only cars it was photo’s with to give size. If so it was leaning a little to the CTS size.

        We will just have to wait and see. I do not expect the car to shrink a lot but it will be smaller in bulk.

        Reply
        1. From what we’ve heard, it will be a shortened CTS chassis. Not as small as ATS, not as big as CTS. About five inches shorter.

          Reply
          1. You are in the ball park. I heard 4 inches but that is close to what you heard. I should have said closer to the CTS and not the CTS wheel base. I think that is how I heard it stated.

            The shots of the car with the Impala are the best judge on size. A little shorter but about the same width to it.

            I also expect the roof to be lower as well as the hood and fenders not being so bulky. I believe they will tighten up the design more and this is where much of the weight will come off. They were able to lower the cowl here and take advantage of the lower Cam In Block Engine. There is a lot of padding on the hood and fenders.

            The rear window looks to be right under the camo and has a good fastback angle to it.

            I expect the styling to be much like the C6 to the C7. Similar shape with many detail changes and a more modern appearance but a unmistakable shape.

            Reply
  6. BIG Problem using the alpha platform… COST!!!
    If you consider the ATS Couoe a good starting comparison it’s priced near $38,000 and that is NOT going to compete with a base ’15 Mustang that starts at $24,000…!!!

    GM Must take out a LOT of cost and with it will be capability… So the next Camaro is NOT going to be what you hope for at these price points… Dreaming!!!!

    At least the early reviews of the ’15 Mustang compare it favorably to Audi 5 and BMW 3… Not bad… Good Luck GM!

    Reply
    1. Cost is not a factor as this platform is leveraged out and with the number of Camaro’s built. Also note the content of the ATS and CTS is much higher than the Camaro too.

      Apples and oranges.

      Reply
      1. “Cost is not a factor…”????????

        That kind of statement just proves you do not know what you are talking about and you have No credibility!!!!!

        By the way…. More ’15 Ford Mustsng reviews are in and they are Glowing…!

        Reply
        1. Cost is not a factor once we get to the Camaro as the cost has already been leveraged out and Cadillac picked up the bill for most of the development. Also you have not seen the last of the Alpha as it will appear in at least 2 or more variations.

          Greg GM would not be using the Alpha for the Camaro if they had not already worked the cost factor out. They have to do what is called a Business Case to prove the car is needed and will be profitable. If it does not prove its case it would not go into production.

          But if you are so creditable I expect you already know this…? So why would you make such foolish statements? You may hurt your creditbility

          If you are so smart then why don’t you point out all that makes it too expensive? If you note Cadillac used many conventional materials to hold the cost down so Chevy could use this car for the Camaro and SS. I would recommend reading on how Cadillac cut the weight from the car and you will learn how they did it in a very cost effective way.

          As for the new Mustang did you expect anything less for the newest car in the segment? The same laurels will be laid on Chevy next year and Chrysler when ever they get around to replacing the Challenger.

          If you pay attention to the details you may be creditable some day.

          Other wise you are just another Ford troll. If you want credibility you need to give it to Ford, GM and Chrysler when it is worthy. Most here do. Right now Ford has a great car and they will do well. But I think GM will have a car that will do very well against it too. That will be good as two strong cars in this segment drive them to make them even better.

          Reply
  7. I will give credit to Ford for making an undeniably great new pony car. But, it still is a Ford and they’ve been having trouble with multiple fit and finish, technology, and mechanical related issues as of late. There’s no question that Chevrolet will make a very competitive new Camaro that will outperform this Mustang. The key is weight and handling; Chevrolet clearly has this advantage with the Alpha Platform. Chevrolet also needs to bring new engines and transmissions to the Camaro. I’d enjoy seeing:

    2.0t I4 (VVT, SIDI, IVVL, and VTM) – 280HP and 295-310LB-FT
    2.8t V6 (VVT, SIDI, IVVL, and VTM) – 330HP and 340-355LB-FT
    6.2L V8 (VVT, SIDI, and AFM) – 450HP and 460LB-FT
    6.2L SC V8 (VVT, SIDI, AFM, and VTM) – 630HP and 640-655LB-FT
    8-Speed Automatic
    7-Speed Manual

    Reply
    1. Are you saying GM hasn’t? It seems like every other story on here is another recall. I think GM should let Ford take the lead for a couple years on pony cars and really push there trucks, I’m not saying rebate like crazy but do little changes and better advertising to draw people in. The truck market is very profitable and I think Fiats trying to get market share and gain a following like GM and Ford have. Once they have a loyal fan base they can rebate less and make more profit. Who’s idea was the rear bumper step? It’s not that cool.

      Reply
  8. Please GM give us the choice of a 1LE with automatic transmission, that was the only thing that keep me from buying the present 1LE to replace my ’11 Mustang GT that has standard transmission, so my wife also can enjoy driving my future 1LE with automatic transmission. Please do it. I can assure you that there is a market for automatic transmission 1LE’s for people that like sport or spirited driving.
    Probably the future Camaro will benefit from less weight and smaller front windshield frames, improved dash and steering wheel looks, and some nice Recaro seats like what you did with the great Stingray. Follow the Stingray route and you will have another champ.

    Reply
  9. My hopes are that GM does the following things for the 2016 Camaro SS 1LE:
    – Improve front, side and rear visibility
    – Reduce weight (to 3600lbs or less) and size (especially length, overhangs, and height) of the car substantially.
    – Please don’t screw up the current 1LE driving experience, especially the handling and SOUND!, improve on it, on the road and for the track
    – Make it look badass yet respectable..i know a tough one, but think BMW M3.
    – Keep the price at about the same or less.
    ———————————
    note: increase of hp/torque above the 1LE is not a requirement for the list above, but of course, always welcome
    And whatever you do GM, NEVER EVER use speakers to enhance exhaust note! Thanks:)

    Reply

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