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2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Goes Head To Head With The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R: Video

The fifth-generation Chevy Camaro is no longer in production, replaced with the highly-anticipated all-new, sixth-gen 2016 Camaro. But that doesn’t change the fact that the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, with its burly 505 horsepower from the LS7 V8 and notable handling prowess is a very capable vehicle. And since there isn’t a Z/28 variant of the sixth-gen Camaro (at least not yet), it was recently tasked with taking on the 526-horsepower 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R in a recent showdown from Motor Trend. While we rooted for the Z/28 without hesitation, the higher power figure, lower price, and lighter weight of the GT350R gave us an audible ‘gulp’ during the first minute of the Motor Trend video.

The Camaro Z/28

As we watched Jason Cammisa row through the gears of the Z/28 sweeping through gorgeous winding roads, we were immediately reminded that this car was the 2014 Best Driver’s Car: Jason doesn’t seem to be fond of anything but the drivability of the Camaro.

“It’s really precise, and natural,” is what the host says of the Camaro’s steering, while adding that it has “torque everywhere”.

The Mustang Shelby GT350R

As for the Mustang Shelby GT350R, well Jason falls in love with the car before he even starts the engine. The rear-view camera, higher-quality interior, and ‘love it or hate it’ racing stripe are enough to have him strung in by the mean-looking pony.

We must admit, Jason seems to have more fun in the Mustang, but we aren’t sure if the acoustics of the exhaust system is what influenced this glee, or if the GT350R is actually more fun to drive than the Z/28. Though he does make it a point to say that the GT350R feels like it has lighter steering while being more agile than the Z/28.

The Results

Pulling dyno charts for both pony cars, the Z/28 makes way more torque down low, while the GT350R gives its oomph up top.

Around the Chuckwalla Valley Raceway circuit, the Mustang ends up completing its lap about one second faster than the Camaro. And in the western-style 1/4 mile drag race, the Mustang comes out on top with a 12.1-second time at 119.6 mph versus the Camaro’s 12.3 seconds at 116.1.

Based on of these observations, Jason awards the Mustang GT350R as the victor.

The GM Authority Take

First and foremost: the test is comparing an all-new car (Mustang) to one that is no longer in production (production of the fifth-gen Camaro ended in November of 2015). So the way we see it, any and all issues pointed out in the video about the Camaro have been and/or will be addressed by the sixth-generation Camaro. Problem is that the gen six Camaro doesn’t have an ultra-high-performance track variant (like a Z/28) just yet. But when one does show up, this comparison will need to be performed once again… and something tells us that the Mustang will not walk away the winner.

So, what are your thoughts? Is this enough for you to accept the GT350R as the top dog compared to the Z/28? And what of the the sixth-gen Camaro? Talk to us in the comments.

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Comments

  1. Well, it is what it is: the new Shelby GT350 ‘Stang is the new muscle car king! It’s simply better in every way than the Z28, which was to be expected given it’s the newer car, it’s lighter, has a superior interior and a more powerful engine. Not to mention its lower price tag! Ford engineers built one heck of a performance machine, and I commend them!

    Now we have a 6th generation Camaro with an LT1 V8 and world class suspension that catapults its performance to a level near the new GT350! So it’s no doubt: the pony car war is about get pretty intense!!! I hope no one gets their shorts in a knot over which of these two performance behemoths are better, because we oughta be thankful for the fact that we’re living in the golden age of GM and Ford performance, which means there’s variety none of which the likes any generation has ever seen!!! GET HYPE!!!

    Reply
    1. I own. 2014 Z28

      I have driven my car on track numerous times and love he way the car performs.

      I have had the opportunity to be he instructor for a student who tracked the miatang350. My impressions were as follows:

      A. Interior- Mustang interior was nicer
      B. Engine – the high reving engine was nice to have but not better. I like the power that I feel from the Z28. Sitting in the passenger seat I would have to wait until the engine “finally got there” hit its redline – don’t get me wrong the engine sounds amazing.
      C. Handling – I liked the way the mustang handled but I felt that the Z28 felt a bit more confident.
      D. Looks – I think hat both cars have an awesome look. The z28 looks mean. And built for a purpose. The mustang is Gorgeous . In this case it probably ersonal taste that wins in this situation.

      If I had my choice I would probably own both. Probably take both to the track over and over again until I was satisfied. But when driving on the road for a long trip I would drive the mustang.

      Reply
      1. Thanks brother. I appreciate your honesty and not being bias as a Camaro owner. I own a 13 Shelby and Ford man to the bone. But have no problem giving props where it is due. And like yourself, I would be proud to own either!

        Reply
  2. Well they are comparing the new mustang to the old zeta platform so of course the mustang is gonna win

    Reply
    1. What does the new platform have to with it? The Stang displaces 5.2 liters compared to 7.0 for Camaro! FoMoCo is winning on Tech! Simply, God Motors will have to eventually retire the Overhead Valve Engine to compete. I bet you your bottom dollar the Corvette is moving from that old technology next Generation. If you think the weight advantage that new Gen Camaro now has will last you can forget it. The Blue Oval has exclusive rights to Aluminum and it will find its way to the Mustang once enough F-Series have been built and sold. Imagine a Mustang weighing in at 3300 lbs, yeah it will have a riple effect on the enthusiasts market. 911 owners will suddenly begin to scratch their heads about why they just paid Six figures and got whooped by an American Car.

      Reply
      1. I would say the new platform has a lot to do with it and your argument about displacement has very little to do with it. I’ll bet the 7.0 LS7 is physically smaller than Ford’s 5.2.
        I don’t think GM’s OHV engines are going anywhere. They’re here to stay. There is plenty more juice in them then Ford’s fans want to admit.

        Reply
        1. You do realize it is physically impossible to make 7.0L (427 cubic inches) smaller than 5.2L (roughly a little over 305-310 cubic inches)?

          Reply
          1. Well tell that to your eyes and the GM engineers. The 7.0L LS7 is indeed SMALLER than the 5.2L Flat crank Shelby engine.

            In fact ALL GM small blocks from the original 265 to the modern LT series engines are all physically smaller than nearly every OHC V8 out there; and most v6s for that matter.

            One of those ‘forgotten benefits’ of the OHV push-rod design.

            Reply
          2. Smaller in the fact that the heads on the ford motors are the size of a 30 pack of beer, So the LS takes up less room in the engine compartment.

            Reply
        2. yes the LS7 is smaller

          Reply
      2. A new platform, per se, doesn’t have anything to do with anything. What does is what the introduction of a new platform represents… and in this case, it represents an all-new Camaro.

        Furthermore, you’re comparing an all-new car (Mustang) to one that is no longer in production (5th-gen Camaro). So yes, the Mustang has more new technology. But given the age of the fifth-gen Camaro and how it came about, it’s pretty amazing to see that it kept up so well with an all-new car. Maybe we can compare the all-new Camaro Z/28 (when it is rumored to come out in 1-2 years) to the then-outdated GT350 or GT350R. I think we all know what the result will be.

        Also: I am dubious about the “future” weight advantages of the Mustang you bring up. Just keep in mind that profit margins and sales volume on the Mustang are much tighter (profits) and lower (sales volume) than they are on the F-150, making the aluminification of the Mustang less financially feasible and less likely… at least for this generation. That is further exacerbated by the fact that “how many aluminum F-150s have been built and sold” has very little to do with the Mustang, or the fact that the Flat Rock plant (where the Mustang is assembled) would have to be significantly retooled and updated to account for high aluminum content; so would its assembly. So again, highly unlikely for this generation, and probably the next as well.

        Lastly, using aluminum panels isn’t the only way to drop considerable amounts of weight from a vehicle. Look to GM’s Omega platform (the actual platform and the structure of the architecture) in reference to what I’m referring to here.

        Reply
    2. I knew that comment would show up sooner or later. Just give them the props they deserve. Kinda like you know, when Chevy did the same thing a few years ago with the SS and 2012 GT

      Reply
    3. This comparo, between the 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R and the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, isn’t “fair” because a new Mustang is being compared to a fifth-gen Camaro? Where were you Camaro fans when Chevrolet compared the 2015 Z/28 to the 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca a year ago and Chevrolet crowed about how much better the Z/28 was? At least this current comparo is a better one because the vehicles are more closely matched in horsepower, braking technology, suspension tuning, and rear suspension type. Being an owner of a 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca (LS190) myself, I fully expect the sixth-gen Z/28 (when released for sale to the general public) to surpass the 2015 GT350R. I count myself lucky to own a car that continued Ford Performance’s racing success, and provoked a response (the Z/28) from Chevrolet. I wonder when we’ll see a road-course, muscle-car, competitor from Fiat-Chrysler, that’s in the same price ballpark as the Mustang and Camaro? Hmmm…

      Reply
  3. I think they really should have done the new SS to the GT 350 here as it would be much more relevant. Anyone can take a two year old car on a aged platform and our perform it.

    You want to compare make it apples to apples.

    What is this guy going to do next compare a GT 500 to the new SS?

    Reply
    1. We all know the GT500 won’t be able to keep up on a technical track… wouldn’t be that bad 😉

      Reply
      1. It would be a more even fight than this was. More interesting too.

        Reply
    2. You have no idea what you’re talking about do you? One, there is no GT500 in the current platform. Two, the GT350 is designed to go up against the ZL1? No idea on that one, but I do know the GT350R is supposed to go up against the newest Z/28. Once a new one is released, they’ll test it against that one. The SS isn’t in the same price bracket as the GT350. Once you spec up the SS, you might get to the base price of the 350. If you need help, here’s how the chart works. Ecoboost vs. 4 cylinder Camaro, V6 Stang vs. RS Camaro, GT Mustang vs. SS Camaro, GT350 vs. ZL1? (I’m not sure on that one to be fair seeing as the ZL is 10 grand more expensive before options) GT350R VS Z/28. If Chevy released a Z/28 in the new platform, I’m sure they would have tested it against the new one. But until that time being, seeing as the Shelby has a car that’s a rival to it, that’s what it’s put up against.

      Reply
      1. To be fair I think this the way the comparisons are supposed to be.

        Turbo 4 camaro vs v6 mustang (base)
        Ecoboost mustang vs v6 camaro (mid)
        Ss vs gt (base v8)
        Ss 1le vs gt350
        Zl1 vs gt500 (when the come out with the new ones)
        Z28 vs gt350r (when gm decides to make it.)

        The new ss is already comparable to the base gt350 in terms of performance.

        Reply
  4. I personally think that the comparison was a Ford commercial.

    Why ?:

    A. Did not play engine sound of Z28 – I own one …. the engines sounds amazing.

    B. The interior of Z28 is a bit plain but it is not Crapy as they make it out to be. Its no nonsense. Add all that stuff and you add more weight and more distractions

    C. They do not show Randy driving the Z28. Nor do they air his comments while he does drive it off camera- go back to the comparison Randy did against the Porsche GT3 last year . He had plenty to say and even chose the Z28 over the GT3 to take to the track.

    D.why does the mullet wearing douche bag get to drive the Z28 in the drag race …. I say bullshit ! They just made a Ford commercial

    I can’t wait till I have the chance to track my Z28 against the new GT350R

    I am sure the GT350R is a fantastic car. But I sincerely do not think that it so much better or even better than the Z28

    I say bullshit… Can’t wait to see one on the track !

    Reply
    1. You can’t wait to get your as#$ whipped

      Reply
      1. Really? By who and in what? Don’t tell me you bought the new Fustang (the offspring of Fusion and Mustang).

        Reply
    2. i thought i was the only one that felt that way. i mean from the first moment when he said the z/28 interior was crappy, all i could remember was him saying when it came out how refined it was. there was too many coincidences and i agree with you. i mean look what some of the other web series on motor trends channel. they got sponsored by dodge and now just about every show is how great dodge’s cars are. before they got sponsored they would bash anything from dodge that was crap, now this never happens. from what i can tell its all about who is writing the paychecks that wins the comparisons.

      Reply
    3. A. You obviously didn’t pay attention or listen. They did play the exhaust note of the Z/28. It was the first engine to rev in the beginning and it was complimented for having an amazing soundtrack.

      B. I have been in a Z/28, the interior is mostly plastic. I understand lightness but you can lose weight elsewhere while keeping the interior a nice place to be.

      C. Yes I’ll agree that Randy should have driven it in this video to give a proper comparison. Albeit they did discuss the driving feel of the Camaro briefly after they finished the laps and they probably didn’t put him in it because he has driven it before. No idea why they wouldn’t put him in this time, but I’m not Motor Trend.

      D. You do know the mullet wearing douch bag is the same guy as the one in the Mustang right? Just with some added on hair and what not. It was a joke. They had a professional driver in the Camaro and just recorded him alone in the car driving it up the strip for the shot of him inside the car. If you look his position on the track is off for the moment as you should at least see some of the Shelby as it pulls away.

      Reply
      1. I realize that the mullet wearing douche bag was the same guy… All the worse…

        He should have then braided his hair worn a dress and drove the mustang

        Reply
  5. All engines today have overhead valves. I think you meant to say push rod engines. GM doesn’t use overhead cams in their high performance engines; which is strange if you want more performance. Pushrod engines are much more reliable but they don’t have the efficiency and performance of an overhead cam engine.

    Reply
    1. “GM doesn’t use overhead cams in their high performance engines”
      Really? Try the LF4.
      http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/lf4/

      “Pushrod engines are much more reliable”
      Guess you’ve never heard of bent pushrods or had a lifter fail.

      Reply
  6. Ford used a dead mans name on their car? Shelby is dead and Fords is using his name.
    What a joke.

    Reply
    1. Or you could look at it as a tribute to Mr. Shelby. Either way, does the name really matter?

      Reply
    2. Guess you won’t like the Zora Corvette from the division of Louis Chevrolet.

      Reply
    3. So are you saying Ferrari shouldn’t put Ferrari on their cars, or McLaren.

      Reply
  7. So Fords best effort is ( a bit better, if we are to believe ) then a 10 year old platform and motor from GM? They are on the ball!

    Reply
  8. That was a fun review. Those guys really do a good job in making 20+min interesting. The only I didn’t care for was the washed-up old redneck reference at the end.

    As for the cars, how can you not love watching both of these cars? I’m a GM guy through and through, but that was downright exhilarating!

    GM set the benchmark and gave Ford a metric to beat, and by golly, they appear to have beaten it. Kudos to GM for being bold enough to put this Z/28 in the market to begin with. Kudos to Ford for answering the call. It will be interesting to me to see if GM feels the need to respond with the new Camaro. I think, at best, we won’t see a true response for at least a couple of years.

    Reply
  9. The battle continues, I think they are both fantastic cars but while G.M. put the Camaro out to pasture the Mustang just kept getting better and while G.M. was in bankruptcy Mustang pulled ahead even further…. so in my opinion the Camaro even with its new platform has a ways to go to match the refinement of the Mustang….

    Reply
  10. Not really a good comparison as this is more of a Ford/GM leapfrogging example. Each manufacturer ups the ante with it’s new models which never seem to be in sync with each other for an exact mackintosh apple to mackintosh apple comparison. It’s more like a delicious apple to mackintosh or granny smith apple comparison. Therefore the comparison is a mute point and what should REALLY be examined is a $$ to performance value assessment for this point in time. In this respect, obviously the GT350R wins with the Z/28 giving an outdated honorable mention. A more direct compare would be a 2016 Corvette 1LT Z51 as the pricing is actually very close to the GT350R. The Z/28 is ridiculously overpriced and I believe most would agree that if they were in the market for a $75K+ car then the Corvette Z06 would be on the list for consideration.
    Anywho, I firmly believe it all comes down to value and bang for the $$ and right now, the GT350 and the GT350R have it in spades, for now. I’m a GM fan who can appreciate all cars, especially Corvette’s but even I have to admit that Ford has done well and let’s not forget that this rivalry and competition as a whole is GOOD for us the consumer. As for Chrysler, they’re not even on the same playing field, even with the Hellcat and Viper. Flame on Mopar fans!! ;>)

    Reply
    1. If I could throw my 2 cents in. I honestly believe that the reason that the z28 was so expensive was because it was pretty much the only track focused car in its segment and probably didn’t know how to price it competitively. Another the ls7 isn’t a cheap engine to be had. It’s probably more expensive than the 5.2 voodoo.

      Reply
  11. You people can not believe that Shelby had anything to do with the old GT500? If he did
    he had very little to do with it

    Reply
  12. Everyone please dont forget that this GT350/GT350R came out as a 2015 initially. 100 GT350
    37 GT350R
    So are they not then comparing apples to apples?
    I am a huge Shelby fan and a Mustang fan. I have been so disappointed for a long time that the blue oval keeps falling short of its bowtie rival. And for the first time I am so happy they made this Mustang to finally compete! Thank you Z/28 for being what it is and for making Ford finally build a car that can actually compete! Way to go Ford and Chevy! You make me proud to be an American!!!

    Reply
    1. “So are they not then comparing apples to apples?
      The answer is no and here’s why.
      1. Based on model year the Z is 2015 and the Shelby GT is 2016.
      2. Based on platform the Z is on a 2014 design and not 2016 gen 6. The Shelby is based on 2016 and latest platform and that is a 2 year difference in technology. There was no 5.2 Voodo in 2015. Only up to a 2015 Shelby should be compared. If there was a current gen 6 Z/28 to compare then it would be apples to apples across the board. Hence my previous post of mackintosh vs delicious apples. Both apples but definitely not the same. Here’s another “comparison” that is BS in Camaro’s favor but same incorrect comparison theory. They should compare the 2016 2SS camaro against the 2016 GT350 as they are comparable priced. Bet the results would have been in the GT’s favor!
      http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2016-chevrolet-camaro-ss-vs-2015-ford-mustang-gt-comparison-test
      Love the GT350’s and right now their price per performance value is excellent and the outgoing Z is over priced, outdated tech. What I look forward to is the gen 6 Z/28 or ZL1 and the new tech it/they will posses vs the Shelby GT 350, 350R, 500, etc.

      Reply
  13. Man, I remember when the new 1LE or flavor of the month was tested against a car that was no longer in production, the Boss 302 in both versions.

    It didn’t matter then but it does now? It also didn’t matter that the Camaro has a significantly larger engine and tires. Since the Ford had 315s I guess that is another excuse.

    Reply
  14. Here we go, Im fortunate and I currently own them both, the z28 and the 350R I drive them both way more than once, and the results are driver influenced. Camaro is tighter more predictable and is the car of choice on the track. If you know how to drive it, it will come out on top in a contest. Camaro is on tap instantly from the bottom and the R has to be driven in the upper end, and making a mistake isn’t an option. I like them both, along with my HellCat that will slaughter them both in a drag race. Lighten up guys, this is all for fun.

    Reply
    1. Nice try mr. Troll

      Reply
  15. All these comments and not a single points out the z28 was running on nearly bald tires. And didn’t look well maintained under the hood.

    Reply
  16. Agree !

    Reply
  17. I love the Shelby mustang GT350R

    Reply
  18. I’m late to the party, it’s 2023 and I still drop by this comparison for a drool fest. IMO, the Z/28 has something the GT350R doesn’t, purpose! It’s the bare bones, waiting on you for a track day companion where exclusivity and limited numbers wins the choice for me. It’s a Z/28! It might be heavy compared to the Alpha 16+ but it’s not a boat by any means. The GT350R when new got the praise but as time has went on and EV’s are in your face on every editorial and then some, I really appreciate the 7 liter screamer that flys in the face of ergonomics and political correctness. There I said it.

    Reply

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