Automobile Magazine tests the ZL1 vs the GT500. This is the first in a 3 part/day test.

Lap times by the same driver on the same day:

GT500 - 1:45.21

ZL1 - 1:44.53

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - On Track - Automobile Magazine

 

Same deal as before...the Mustang kills it in straightline, and the Camaro rocks the twisties.

Sort of predictable when you think about it from a specs standpoint.

 

1:44.53 missing a shift!!

 

Part 2 is out, at the strip:

2013 GT500 - 11.78@125

2012 ZL1 - 12.38@114.5

2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - At The Strip - Automobile Magazine

Seems like a pretty weak showing by the ZL1 here, especially in light of the published specs from Chevrolet.

 

It's actually 11.78s for the GT500.

It is interesting that reviewers can't seem to get the ZL1 closer to 12 flat.

It doesn't matter though, after they do the road portion the ZL1 will have won.

 

This is the same track, Milan Dragway, that Chevy conducted it's own test of the ZL1. 11.9's @ 116-117.

I have no doubt that when Chevy went there for the best runs the track prep was superb and the drag radials certainly helped the ET but the trap speed shouldn't be down 2-3 mph.

The article makes mention of using launch control. Wonder if that's where the lost speed came from.

Especially on a day when the GT500 run a good for it, 125 trap.

 

Personally, I think it has something to do with the nannies. Put a tire on the thing, and turn off ALL the electronic controls- bet the numbers improve dramatically.

But holy cow...and 11 mph difference....ouch.

 

114.8 mph?!

CTS-Vs with a slightly less powerful version of the same powertrain trap in the 116-119 mph range (even the 4400+ lb wagon). At least with test instrumentation (as opposed to the speed reported by the traps at the drag strip) they do.

MT or Car and Driver did report a 119 mph trap, and that was in the testing at Inde (4000 ft elevation, reportedly less than ideal surface).

Automobile isn't exactly known for doing fully instrumented tests the way the other big auto mags do, so who knows.

I was hoping for 119-121 mph magazine test speeds for the ZL1, given the slight weight and power advantages and the big rubber advantage over the CTS-V. Maybe it has the aerodynamics of a barn compared to the Caddy, I dunno.

I still want to see Car and Driver do a comparo at their usual test sites with both vehicles. No question that GT500 "is all ate up with motor," though, as the saying goes. 125 mph, damn!

 

Something is amiss. The ZL1's suspension is supposed to lower the car as speed increases. The bodywork was developed to improve aerodynamics, not heed it. Does the article state which settings were used on the ride control?

 

Since when?

 

According to a recent article I read. IIRC it was in Hot Rod Magazine.

 

I went back and reread the article. The MRC doesn't lower the car. The car is lowered by the downforce generated by the unique bodywork's aerodynamics. Sorry for the confusion.