Chevrolet Camaro chief engineer Al Oppenheiser may have said it best. We’re paraphrasing, but when cross-town rival Ford punches, Chevrolet punches back. Chevrolet’s latest hit on Ford is the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which has been lauded for its straight-line performance, corner carving capabilities and overall road behavior.
But, Ford is winding up its own retaliation it seems. Ford Authority reports a potential Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang test mule has been spotted out in Arizona. And the company it keeps is familiar. Putzing along with the possible Shelby GT500 was none other than a sixth-generation Camaro ZL1. The photos show larger upper and lower grilles, along with a raised hood, meaning forced induction is likely at play with this potential GT500.
The Camaro team hasn’t given the blue oval much breathing room. Following the introduction of the Ford Shelby GT350, Chevrolet revealed the 2017 Camaro SS 1LE, which outperforms Ford’s snake. That car is simply a track pack addition to the 1SS Camaro trim.
Then came the Camaro ZL1, followed most recently by the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, a surprise punch Chevy threw at this year’s Daytona 500.
In the meantime, Ford is working to counter the sixth-generation Camaro as a whole; the blue oval recently revealed the 2018 Mustang with updated styling and performance cues. Pony car sales may be slowing, but there’s no slowing the teams responsible for them, it seems.
Comments
I saw this car along with a ZL1 and a 1LE parked in a row in surprise az about a month ago at a pizza shop.
Ford and chevy are really putting out some great products. But the fact is that there becoming unaffordable to a middle class salary. The performance difference between these cars is so small. That every other few yrs it Changes from ford to gm. And it usually comes down to tires and brakes. As a ford guy I’m sure they will up the ante with the new gt500/cobra. Then gm will come back with some else. But when your putting times comparable to Porsches, etc. The prices will continue to go up. And I’m sorry, but I’m not paying $900 a month on a car.
A regular Camaro SS has more track capability then the last gen ZL1 though… so in one sense you can get a whole lot more for your money. Just now the very very best reflects the costs that it had to have to take it to the newest levels. The new ZL1 1LE crushes most exotics on the track, which is amazing.
The new mustangs/camaros do give you amazing performance for the money. But for mid 40s with some options. Your getting into a different price range with cars that turn heads alot more and won’t get lost in the crowd. If im dropping mid 40s on a car im getting a used late 90s viper or c5/c6 zo6 or earlery 2000s 911 turbo. And im a huge ford guy saying that. The fact is theres nothing special about a regular ss or mustang gt with performance pack. The new zl1 is a amazing machine. And I’m sure the new gt500/cobra will be amazing to. Just look what they did with the 350r. But probably 96 percent of the people dont have the skills/guts to ever push those cars to what there capable of.