Our sister publication, Ford Authority, has spied another GM vehicle behind enemy lines. This time, Ford has a Chevy Camaro ZL1 in its possession, likely benchmarking it against its own Ford Mustang.
The closest Camaro ZL1 rival in the Ford stable is the Mustang GT500. The Camaro ZL1 pulls motivation from GM’s supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine, which is tuned to deliver 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, while the range-topping Ford Mustang GT500, which harnesses the supercharged 5.2L V8 Predator engine, rated at 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque.
What’s particularly interesting about Ford’s decision to take a closer look at the Camaro ZL1 is the fact that the Chevy muscle car is getting the axe at the end of the 2024 model year. At this time, there aren’t any plans for a next-generation Camaro, but it’s rumored that the nameplate could be revived as a high-performance EV sometime in the future. What’s more, Camaro sales are consistently outgunned by the Mustang’s numbers, so it’s not a massive threat to the popularity of Ford’s pony at this time.
Ford benchmarking the Chevy Camaro ZL1 could come down to a question of vehicle handling and performance rather than outright sales popularity, however. In several head-to-head comparisons, the Camaro ZL1 outperformed the Mustang with flying colors, with critics praising the Chevy’s overall handling and responsiveness as being better than that of its rival. With that in mind, it’s entirely possible that Ford is taking a closer look at the Camaro’s performance to apply toward the next-generation Mustang.
To commemorate its final year, the 2024 Chevy Camaro ZL1 will get a special Heritage Edition package. Details on the package have yet to be revealed in full, but it will likely be an appearance package offered across various trim levels.
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Comments
I don’t think it’s a spy pic. That’s the new “2024 Tang” They want to be just like Chevy’s Camaro now that dodge is going EV.
Most trolls wouldn’t get it.
It is shameful that GM let this car die the death it’s dying. It is the most capable track-performance-muscle car on the planet. The 1LE is an absolute monster.
If people knew it existed.
I have a 2017 V6 RS right now, but definitely planning to buy again in the last model year with my eyes set on whatever special edition SS they come out with. So I agree, it is absolutely shameful, but man what a car that it has me planning to buy it twice!
The perennial sales plummet of the Camaro is not about lack of advertising. It’s due to poor visibility and no attempt to change the design since its release. Consumers are aware of the Camaro’s shortcoming. GM is aware that it has poor visibility and they have accepted its declining sales figures as a result. Why advertise in a product that has an inherent flaw which limits its sales?
Conversely, Ford does not advertise the Mustang. Why? Same reason, because there is no need.
Poor Ford, Wanted to benchmark Cadillac Blackwing Vs, but they could only afford a base model Camaro.
Since the revival of the Camaro in 2010, I can count on one hand how many tv commercials I have seen promoting the vehicle. As the owner of several late model GM performance vehicles, it is perplexing as to why GM refuses to run ads for these cars.
They’ll run dozens of ads for their boring, anemic, cookie-cutter CUV’s, but run any for the Camaro or Corvette? Nah, that’s not important. Oy vey.
Its a shame Chevy didnt promote the Camaro and keep the car up to date with power increases and other changes to keep it ahead and more desireable than the stang and challenger.
I think if GM matched the hp of the Mustang and the Dodge it would outsell both of them. It’s all about horsepower with manly men. 😅
Iv ordered two camaros only to not have received either one. An I have been Chevy man all my life. BUT NO MORE. DODGE NOW
Dead On Delivery, GarbagE….
GM doesn’t care.
I ordered a 2SS convertible in August of 21. At the time of the order, no dealer within 50 miles had an allocation for an SS convertible, so I ordered with the dealer I felt most comfortable with. I refused to drive 2 hours to the “big city” dealers just to get the car, when local dealers can sell and service it just as well. Especially when I’d literally drive by 5 or 6 dealers on the way to the “big city.”
After 10 months, the dealer had to “borrow” an allocation from their sister dealership to order my car. It has been built, but GM still offers no idea as to where it is or when to expect it at the dealer.
Funny thing is, I’ve been watching the chevrolet.com website to see what cars are coming this way, in the 10 months since I ordered, zero SS convertibles have come this way, and maybe 10 LT1 powered cars, never more than 1 or 2 Camaros within two or three weeks of each other. Today, there are over 24 Camaros coming this way, half of which are LT1 powered.
GM clearly doesn’t care, unless you live in the “big city.”
All this whine, if anything we’ll see an EV performance car from Chevy soon with a possible Camaro badge, it isn’t slowing Mustang sales. The ICE models will continue till at least ’26 as more than likely an ICE Challenger and Mustang will still be on sale so GM at some point continue ICE Camaro along with CT4/5
I just purchased my first 2022 Camaro 2SS Convertible. I am 64 yrs young and this is the most exciting and fun car I ever owned. Everywhere I go somebody always say to me , that is a beautiful car. The styling and design of the Camaro is down right sexy. I wonder why Chevy doesn’t show commercials on the Camaro. If they did the sales would increase dramatically. The Ford Mustang is also a nice car but it can’t compare to the style and design an how the Camaro handles period. Gm if you are listening, the Camaro is a Keeper all you got to do is keep it updated. It’s a Diamond let it shine!! ♦️😎💯 !!!
74+ and the same love for my 2022 Camaro Vert.
I don’t think they advertise it, because they can’t keep up with production now.
Plus with the current “green” initiative, I’m sure the LT1 powered cars bring down their corporate MPG, which is not good in the corporate world, because the lower the corporate MPG, the higher the “fee” the government collects.
I’ve been a Ford guy my whole life; knew I was going to buy a Mustang GT convertible. Drove an SS convertible and decided that was what i wanted. Nicer car, sexier, more features, better looking, better handling and ride, hands down a better car. If Ford makes the new Mustang as good as the Camaro, maybe I’ll go back.
Chevrolet has made the whole process terrible and their customer service as far as the ordering process has been crap at best. They do not seem to be interested in anyone that doesn’t deal with the “big city” dealers!
I will be 77 in weeks and just got my 22 ZL1. I have owned a 16 and a 20 SS Camaros. I will never push this car to the limit but I’m having the time of my life driving it and showing it at car shows in Florida. The ZL1 is so much faster than the SS’s and rides so smooth never mind handles awesome. I get compliments everyday on the car….just getting gas….lol.
I personally think it is just an employees car….lol
Just saying my roommate is looking for 2016 and new engine zl1 v8 lt4 if anyone knows anyone he’s willing to pay needs engine and what would come with it if you were to buy engine such as wire harness cpu etc let me know! Will travel!
Go to GM Carlisle later this month, a good possibility one will be there .
I’ll be there.
My roommate is very old school and doesn’t even own a smart phone let alone jow how to operate internet