Horsepower is cheap these days, with high performance on offer for relatively little outlay. That includes the current crop of entry-level V8-powered muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger R/T and Ford Mustang GT. For a while, Chevrolet lacked a true entry-level, V8-powered sixth-gen Camaro, a circumstance that has caused Chevrolet Camaro sales numbers to slip significantly. Luckily, the new 2020 Camaro LT1 looks to change all that.
Now that we know pretty much all there is to know about the car, we can get a three-way specs-level comparison going to see just how the new LT1 compares to its direct rivals in the entry-level V8-powered muscle cars segment – the Dodge Challenger R/T and Ford Mustang GT – in terms of price, horsepower, torque, transmission and curb weight. We also tossed in the Camaro SS, just for good measure.
| Spec | Chevrolet Camaro LT1 | Dodge Challenger R/T | Ford Mustang GT | Camaro SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $34,995 | $35,790 | $36,350 | $37,495 |
| Engine | 6.2L V8 LT1 | 5.7L V8 Hemi | 5.0L V8 Coyote | 6.2L V8 LT1 |
| Aspiration: | Atmospheric | Atmospheric | Atmospheric | Atmospheric |
| Configuration: | OHV | OHV | DOHC | OHV |
| Horsepower (hp @ RPM): | 455 @ 6000 | 375 @ 5150 | 460 @ 7500 | 455 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ RPM): | 455 @ 4400 | 410 @ 4300 | 420 @ 4600 | 455 @ 4400 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual, or 10-speed automatic | 6-speed manual, or 8-speed automatic | 6-speed manual, or 10-speed automatic | 6-speed manual, or 10-speed automatic |
| Curb Weight (lbs.) | 3619 | 4177 | 3743 | 3685 |
| Interior Seat Material | Cloth | Cloth | Cloth | Cloth |
The first thing to notice here is pricing. The Camaro LT1 undercuts the competition with the lowest price compared to its direct competitors, slotting in at $34,995 including destination. That’s nearly $800 less than the Dodge Challenger R/T and $1,355 less than the Mustang GT.
Finally – a sixth-gen Camaro that costs less than the competition.
Equally as important in this segment are output numbers, and once again, the Camaro LT1 impresses, boasting 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque thanks to the 6.2L LT1 V8 engine.
Those numbers are significantly higher than those of the Challenger R/T – 80 horsepower and 45 pound-feet of torque more, to be exact. The Camaro LT1 also beats the Mustang GT in terms of torque, boasting 35 more pound-feet. But the Mustang ekes out a win with regard to peak horsepower, posting five extra ponies compared to the Camaro LT1. The difference is negligible, and we’d much rather take 35 more pound-feet of torque than five extra horsepower.
And that brings us to the curb weight, where the 2020 Camaro LT1 once again tips things in its favor. The Camaro LT1 Coupe weighs in at 3,619 pounds with the six-speed stick and 3,681 with the ten-speed auto. That makes it 66 pounds lighter than the Mustang GT and nearly 558 pounds lighter than the Challenger R/T.
Of course, what this specs-level comparison can’t show is real-world performance, including factors like gearing, traction, and the overall driving experience – areas in which the Camaro LT1 will likely continue to excel relative to the competition. But in terms of pure specs, the 2020 Camaro LT1 is still looking highly competitive indeed.
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Comments
If only Chevrolet would ADVERTISE this car, they might drum up some sales. Oh, and if the advertisements were cool and fun like some of the Dodge ads are, that would help. The bland “real people” ads aren’t going to cut it.
I agree! I’ve been saying all along that GM needs to put more money in better advertising, like Dodge does so effectively.
The trouble with advertising the Camaro is that the more people see of it the more they realize how ugly it is.
Wish this gushing teenager of a writer would explain the differences between the LT trim and SS trim instead of boasting how great the all mighty Camaro is.
Here ya go:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/06/how-the-new-2020-chevrolet-camaro-lt1-compares-to-lt-and-ss/
Next time, try spending 2 seconds searching for what you want rather than posting some dickish comment like a spoiled little baby <3
You would have come out on top if you had simply provided the link.
Even better, you could have put the link your article so readers could easily look up trim differences without having to ask you for a link.
Actually the Mustangs rated hp is using 93/94 octane, as all Ford performance vehicles are. Chevy uses 89/91 octane as does Dodge and everyone else. Mustang is at 447-450 hp and 408-410 tq.
Not true…from manual
For the LTG 2.0L L4 turbo or the
LT1 6.2L V8 engines, premium
unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted
octane rating of 93 is highly
recommended for best performance
and fuel economy. Unleaded
gasoline with an octane rated as low
as 87 can be used. Using unleaded
gasoline rated below 93 octane,
however, will lead to reduced
acceleration and fuel economy.
If knocking occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 93 octane as soon as
possible, otherwise, the engine
could be damaged. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline with a 93 octane rating, the
engine needs service.
Could also use a explanation of the difference in trims. The LT1 is the engine but the car is s base, base trim level called???
It is an LT
How about a ’62 Ford Falcon running a Chevy 383 440hp. Talk about a sleeper that surprises all of the aforementioned new steel/plastic.
If you see an old guy in a falcon with roll bar and a nasty grin on his face, beware.
That old rustbucket would probably disintegrate when you hit the gas, same thing as when that 62 was new a ’32 Model-A hotrod would killed it.
Funny how the LT1 and the SS have basically the same configs but costs are different!
I’m a Mustang guy, but competition is always good for business!!
The last “real” Camaro was the 1969 Z28 SS. Since then, including the newest versions, there have been no testicle vibrating Camaros whatsoever. The Challenger and Mustang in particular have been the only road shaking American vehicles around, not counting any SUV and truck mutation.
Really? There hasn’t been any technological progress since 1969? Leaf springs and bias ply tires may have been state-of-the-art 50 years ago, but c’mon, today’s Camaro is safer, faster, and can run circles around those older cars which were stylish, but crude underneath, and rusted badly in the snow belt (I know this from first hand knowledge). BTW, the ’69 Z/28 and the SS were separate models.
You could order a 1969 Camaro RS/Z28 however.
GM, advertise the piss out of the Camaro! Take a page from Dodge’s recent advertisements that get the blood pumping. Exactly what these cars are intended for!
Get people into the showrooms, yearning for a ZL1, and then perhaps they will fall into lower trim levels.
Unfortunately, the Camaro is a failure, and about to die again, because the morons in charge gave us a car with zero visibility and utility. All the morons in charge should be unemployed, especially when you consider the Camaro is an ATS V twin that offers great visibility and utility.Al oppenheiser and Adam Barry should both be unemployed
The ATS coupe would have made a great looking Camaro.
Lopez can’t handle the pressure without childish remarks like that ! What a waste !
For all the loudmouths talking trash about the Camaro I bought one with 100k miles on it!
I happen to have 35 years as a Automotive Technician and I’ve driven cars like the NSX. Anyone who says the Camaro is loose and crap is full of it themselves! This car is a convertible and is quite and tighter than most cars with 100k!
So dumb-dumbs, shut you mouths cause you haven’t got a clue!
The camaro run as good as a pony car should. But the look is , well it doesn’t stand out. In today’s cars so many look sporty and the camaro look is sporty but just lacks something.
What comes down too is which is faster 0-60 and the highest top speed. That’s it. Then you can consider handling and accessories and price.
The problem with the camaro as with all GM cars is the interior! Even in the corvette the interior is made from recycled materials and it looks like it…GM interiors are JUNK! They look like crap,squeek n rattle and deteriorate in no time! As someone already mentioned…GM cars don’t standout and don’t have that WOW FACTOR! Ill keep my Challenger Scat Pack..Sublime with a 6 speed…over Any New Camaro! But would trade for a 67-72 Big Block 4 speed SS Camaro!
Doesn’t seem like you’ve actually spent any time around a modern Corvette – C7 or C7, let alone sat in one.
Dodge better get on it. Lose 400 lb and gain 50 horsepower. Front and rear subframes should be made out of aluminum.
I think the Camaro, should go back to the basics, instead of trying to add on when less, gave them there horsepower, I remember when and IROC Z28,would bust a mustang as any day of the week, with, less horsepower, but now, you add this and that, but Lisa watt Camaro lovers love, the Drive. I think, if u stop trying to make the camaro , what’s its not tend to be, and make a CAMARO, people would come back home, I’m just saying.
It’s a super good deal. I’m thinking of getting into one of these this year this thing is cheaper less weight more horsepower more torch and less money dodge and mustang can kick rocks.
I think that the Camaro should have several different models of performance trim levels of horse power and torque levels that are like that of the LT1 engine and transmission choice of stick or automatic transmission because those engines exist and would be better for us buyers who wants to own the best looking car and power train in the Chevy Camaro like the RS SS z28 and IROC and the other high performance cars that GM has plans for the Camaro because I would like to get one if the car was made correct to be able beat Ford and Dodge at thier own game on who has the better car and why not use the power train of the Corvette that would put the Camaro over the top of the other two Auto makers.
If GM wants more sales why not bring back the Firebird? Would be great to see.
Do like before, make in same factory to cut costs, use many of the same parts.
This 2020 LT1 definitely has the ability to beat up on a much wider scale of muscle cars of past and future..Lighter, more torque & hp isn’t bad @ all compared to the others, a few add on technical gadgets light weight wheels & such, you’re gonna fly !..
finally, a Camaro that is getting back to what a Camaro is supposed to be. An affordable muscle car. Don’t get me wrong, the SS, 1LE and ZL1 are all great cars, none of which the average person can afford. But you take something like this, throw a few GM Performance parts and accessories at it and now you’ve got a great car that didn’t break the bank to buy. I just want mine in black. What I’m hoping is that the car will come with a few options like an RS package that adds better stereo and some trim pieces along with all of the other GM factory options that the 3LT can be equipped with.
The LT1 would make a great track car for the person who wants something that would be more affordable than an SS or a ZL1. The 1le package has always fascinated me for it’s unique package structure, I have driven a couple of ZL1 and the 455 hp SS with the 1le option. The handling is down right scarey. The LT1/!LE would be likely be a lot cheaper of the 3, plus it might bring back class racing to those that could afford it. Think about it, a code 69 hugger orange 2020 LT1/1LE for around 40k. Think you could talk them into the FLOWTIE as a part of the package?