Sadly, that is probably about right.

On the other hand, the current SS is putting down some times that are dang close to the GT500 times (in magazines at least), though I've seen some pretty wild variation in times for the GT500.

But MT recently had a "best driver's car" test, with 10 sports / sporty cars. Both the Camaro SS and the GT500 were represented.

In the acceleration portion, the SS was (IIRC) a tenth quicker to 60 mph, and only a tenth behind the GT500 in the 1/4 mile. I think it was 12.8 vs. 12.9 seconds, and the trap speeds were within 1 or 2 mph.

The CTS-V, meanwhile, was significantly quicker than both. If the Z/28 arrives with the CTS-V's powertrain intact, I'd expect low 12s at 116-118 mph.

Since the car is already porky, I'd probably allow another 200 lbs to have an extra 130 hp.

Now, if the SS had 426 hp and weighed 3500 lbs compared to the Z/28's 556 hp and 4100 lbs, I'd likely go for the SS.

 

You mean to tell me that if you knew about the Z/28, you wouldn't spend $24K on the cobalt and instead would come up with $50K for it?

Why get the Cobalt if you could get the Camaro SS?

 

I don't know if you are being sarcastic or not...

But before the 4th gen, the Z28 was the top model. In fact, there aren't too many years you could even buy a Camaro SS before the 4th gens came out.

 

Excellent point, I'm glad you called him out on that one. Personally I'd rather have a Camaro RS over a Cobalt SS

Looks like I missed that.

 

Yep.

And acceleration numbers aside, wasn't this the same test that ranked Camaro SS dead last in the test?

 

Depends on what you're looking for. Style? Camaro without hesitation.

Performance? "Fun to drive" factor? Wellllll.......

 

I don't take that too heavily though.

I mean, ANY of those cars would be quite fun to drive. Including the high placing but slow Miata.

Heck, the ZR1 placed 6th or 7th!

Think of it as having to date the tenth ranked Playboy playmate of the month instead of the top ranked. Probably not a bad deal...

 

Magazine racing....what fun.

What's the best Magazine ET/MPH you've seen for the 2010 Camaro?

The best I've seen for the 2010 GT500 is an 11.95 @ 120.x mph. MM&FF (same folks that do GMHTP).

Once you get the 2010 Camaro best, please compare. It would be best if it were also a GMHTP test done at Englishtown.

And please note that I am definately NOT a fanboy of the GT500.

/Magazine racing

 

People still have that "SS is the top dog" mentality SS= appearance package, look at the title or run the vin on any SS and it'll say Z28

 

Meh, I wasn't trying to start any magazine racing shenanigans. But the MT test was, presumably, run at the same time and place, likely by the same driver. And I did note that I've seen a pretty big gap in GT500 times. I haven't seen the one you mentioned, but I think I did finally see a mid 12 @ 116 or 117 (which is more what I expect for a car with a power to weight ratio similar to a Corvette or a CTS-V).

 

Yeah that's what I'm telling you, is that a problem for you? I don't like the Camaro V6 and didn't want the SS version either. Just because someone can afford a $50k car doesn't mean they have to buy one. The Cobalt SS sedan was my alternate option for the past year in case I didn't like the new Camaro and well I can overlook the problems I have with it if it has a supercharged 6.2 in it putting out over 550hp, it will be the last of the big cube motors. I've said all along I wanted the Z28. Have you driven a Cobalt SS? The car will embarrass a Camaro around a windy road and has the same top speed. $300 Trifecta tune and your pushing well over 300hp and over 360ft lb's, from a roll I doubt a 5th Gen Camaro is gonna show you his lights. Sorry I enjoy driving a cheap econobox turbo and didn't spend the amount of money you wanted me to. Why do you care? I've had Mustang GT's, Camaro's, SRT-4's, etc.. and this CObalt is more fun to drive than any of them by far. It might not be the fastest or the most expensive but I'm smiling when I get out of the car. It feels like a BMW the way it drives.

 

Unfortunately, it turned out to be that for many of GM's vehicles. Malibu, Equinox, Cobalt that was N/A. I am glad that SS will mean something more than appearance package going forward, but it isn't the top dog

 

There wasn't much overlap prior to the 4th gen. When there was overlap (late 1st gen and early 2nd gen), the SS had the bigger engines, while the Z28 had the higher revving engine with limited luxury options.

For example, in 1969, the Z28 came with a 290hp 302, while the SS came with various engines, topping off with a 375hp 396 (iirc).

In 1970, the Z28 was upgraded to the 350ci LT1, while the SS could be had with a 402. They had plans to put a 454 into the Camaro, but that never materialized, due to the implosion of the musclecar market.

The current SS is quite true to the early SS models, with a big, powerful engine and plenty of luxury equipment available. A 556hp Z28 would not really be true to the early Z28s, but times are different and most don't care (though a few do, and some of them have 'z28' in their screen names).

 

Im gonna remember what ol Al had to say about what a Z28 should be when this car see's the light of day , cuz his thought of a Z28 doesnt really match well with the insider predictions .

 

It's funny when people alway bring up "but the SS had the bigger engines and more power" guess what? The Z28 still destroyed the SS in track performance and 1/4 times, why you say? Because the Z28 was designed for track performance and it will always be the top dog. In 1970 the Z28 got the high compression 350 which made more power than the low compression 396 in the SS.