Yep, everyone forgets that the GT500 has had five long years of progression and will have another one before the Z28 comes out. It has had its clutch and wheel hop issues and addressed them. Improved the interior, intercooler, wheels, suspension, tires, etc. It has increased the standard features as well. Unfortunately, it has also increased the MSRP.

The Z28 will benefit from the lessons learned from the Camaro SS and CTS-V's engine. It will hopefully take the criticisms of the Camaro SS to heart and address the suspension and feel. I like that it will come out in 2012 with the new interior as well. I feel like there is a real possibility the Z28 can be a head to head competitor with the GT500 right out of the box, but it is most certainly not a given.

We have seen examples of what a Z28 could be from the aftermarket cars by SLP, Lingenfelter, Callaway and others and in some comparisons, those cars were even besting the previous 2010 GT500. However, the new 2011 GT500 appears to be a completely different animal, especially with the SVT performance package.

In my opinion, the Z28 needs to offer the ride characteristics of the CTS-V (comfortable daily driver with great feel/feedback and performance when pushed) to best the GT500. That may be its only chance to excel in an area the GT500 falls short, but based on the Camaro SS reviews, the GM engineers have a lot of work to do...

 

Simple solution, put the magnetorheological dampers on it. This is clearly the direction GM, and in fact every other manufacturer of hi-performance cars will be moving to. For 2011 they are available on every level of trim of the Corvette for the first time.

 

I havent been following much, and had no idea a new interior was planned(confirmed?) for 2012. I will have to wait until I see it.

 

This website used to be fun place to talk about the Camaro. Now every time anyone gets excited about anything 5th gen, there is a whole gaggle of people waiting to **** on the parade.

I can understand your confusion in how they are acting over there. Its because its been a long time since you went to a Camaro FAN website.

Boy why doesn't the Fbodfather come here as often as he used to? Man I just can't seem to figure it out. Any guesses?

 

Now that is a feature that could really help the Z28. Even if it was offered as an option maybe on a factory top model Z28 like the GT500 KR. Any idea how much the Magnetorheological dampers are in relation to the price of a Corvette? Ferrari uses this technology from GM don't they?

 

I'd love to see that wheel/tire package make production.

 

ON a Z06, the Z07 package costs $9,495 but includes the carbon ceramic brakes of the ZR1 as well as the wheels and tires. On the base Corvette F55 costs $1,995, while on the Grand Sport it is $1,695. Of note, on the Grand Sports with manuals, F55 also gives you the Gen 2 Supercar tires.

 

4200#s?

 

My guess is closer to 4100. And that guess is based upon........100% pure speculatory conjecture (ok, plus the weight of the current SS and a guestimate on what adding all the 'stuff' might result in).

 

i want one! and where are they getting the 621hp from?

 

Best real-world basis for a guess I can come up with:

3.6L CTS: 3861
LSA CTS-V: 4222 (+361)

3.6L Camaro: 3741
LSA Camaro estimate: 4102

Worth noting: 3861 is the listed curb weight for all non-V CTS sedans, regardless of whether they are RWD or AWD, 3.0L or 3.6L. I have no idea which model the number actually belongs to. Likewise, 3741 is the listed weight for both 1LT and 2LT (but not LS).

Anyway, Bob, for a purely speculative guess, I'd say you're pretty spot on.

No idea.

 

More importantly, even us weight ****'s will he happy if it delivers the CTS-V's level of performance and sophistication. Seriously, I don't see why it couldn't. Why couldn't a $45-50k Z28 be a two-doors CTS-V with a less expensive interior.....I think that car would sell well, regardless of weight.

 

A two-door CTS-V? You mean like this?



On sale now at your favorite Cadillac dealer, MSRP $62,165...

If we assume that the 2012 Z28 is comparable in performance, then I think 45-50k is the right ballpark. I'm guessing that the base Z28 will be in the 43k range, and there will be available upgrades (MR shocks, carbon brakes) that bump it up to ~48-50k and make it as track-friendly as the CTS-V.

Worth noting: the LSA is 556hp in the CTS-V. The DI3.6L is 304hp in the CTS-V. The same DI3.6L, with unique intake, exhaust, and probably tuning is 312hp in the Camaro. The Z28 will likely have unique intake, exhaust, and tuning as well, so the LSA in the Camaro might be 564hp or even more.

 

the bumper ports on the cts-v look similar to what is on the"z28" in those pictures.kinda like the new bumblebee.
i dont see a base z28 being that cheap. but well see.

 

Actually Jake, this is a Z28 mule. The hood, the unique front end, and the massive tire size give it away. I don't believe those are the production the rims, though.

If you want to avoid gross embarrassment and extensive crow eating, then I'd hold off on the "Bring it on" bluster Terps.

Consider these items.

1. The Z28 and the GT500 will have roughly the same horsepower and torque.

2. The GT500 recently lost a lot of weight, making it 200-300 pounds lighter than the roughly 2 ton Z28.

3. The GT500 recently got a track handling package that turns it into essentially a track car off the showroom floor.

4. IRS is both heavy and not friendly to severe drag racing the way the GT500's live axle is.

5. The SS already has about as big and as heavy duty brakes as you can put on a car, and similar brakes will be on the Z28.... and the GT500 substantially outstops them as it is.

Unless GM performed some serious upgrades (and I mean dead serious upgrades) to both the LSx engine in the CTSv and the suspension, then the GT500 will likely walk all over the Z28.

I am by no means taking anything away from the new Z28. It's going to outrun anything with more than 2 seats that's been made up till 2011 that I can think of that's come off of a regular production line. It's going to be a MONSTER. It's just that the new GT500 seems likely by all indications so far to be a little quicker and handle a bit better.

The Z28 will likely have 2 advantages though.....

.... it will ride smoother....

.... and it will have a higher top speed (the GT500 has a speed governer, the Z28 won't).