2012 Camaro ZL1 against the 2013 Mustang Shelby GT500

So, if you read my last blog, you'll remember I said I'm a Chevy boy. However, I developed a lot of respect for Ford when they stepped up their game for the 2011 Mustang. Developing the Coyote engine to bring back the legendary 5.0 and also launch the 'Stang into a competitive position with the Camaro was well done. Desperately needed, but well done nonetheless. So, that being said, I'm going to try to keep this as fair as I can.

To start, the ZL1 simply looks amazing. Trim specific rims, the mohawk-like air extractor, that massive rear spoiler all combine to give the car a distinctive look that can't be matched by any other Camaro. The convertible, which will arrive in 2013, looks even better in my opinion. And that's a lot coming from a guy who really doesn't like convertibles. I mean, just look at it!

I have to say, though. The Shelby isn't too hard on the eyes either. I'm using a 2012 Shelby picture here, but it hasn't changed much at all.

The tail lights and headlights somehow just look both menacing and enticing. The racing stripes and scary cobra badges all around. And last but definitely not least, if you are lucky and can get close enough to one, you can read the "Powered By Ford" badges on the side. Those are extremely sought after bits of plastic, available only on the black market, where they fetch (or so I've heard) around $300 a badge, or you can get Ford to replace them. If, of course, you can provide enough evidence that you actually own a Shelby and send in the broken pieces of the old badge.


So far so good. Both are great looking cars, but how about the price? The ZL1 starts at $54,095 and the GT500 price hasn't been released yet. However, with the current 2012 model starting at $48,810 I would guess that it would be upwards of that several hundred dollars due to the work they put in compared to the 2012 offering. That would put them at about equal price with the Shelby probably a bit cheaper than the Chevy.


Performance wise, the power numbers seem like it's going to be a blowout for the GT500. 650 horsepower, 600 lb-ft of torque compared to the 580 horses and 556 torque developed by the ZL1's mill. In fact, Ford took the title of most powerful production V8 in the world. Of course, it's not in production just yet, and I have a feeling the 2014 Corvette ZR1 might have something to say about that. How did Ford manage that, you might ask? Well, they took the 5.4 liter from the 2012 Shelby and increased engine displacement to 5.8 liters and swapped out the Eaton M112 supercharger for a four-lobe Eaton TVS supercharger. Which, surprisingly, is the same one used by the ZL1, Cadillac CTS-V, and Corvette ZR1, which all share the same basic engine. Add to that some new, more efficient heads and some other little adjustments, and the end result is a lot of power. Another thing worth noting is that the supercharger isn't the only thing the two cars share. In fact, they both have the same transmission, the Tremec 6060 6 speed. The ZL1 is powered by the LSA engine, the same exact engine the CTS-V (the worlds fastest production sedan) uses. This engine, like I said, is based off of the LS9 engine used by the Corvette ZR1 just with a smaller supercharger. Same actual engine displacement; 6.2 liters, just less boost pressure.


Now the power ratings are only part of the story. The Mustang has a history of having tires way too small and slick to use the power. The ZL1 uses Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, the same tires used by Corvette ZR1 before the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires came out; the grippiest tires legally allowed on the road. The Eagle F1's are just a step behind the Michelins, and miles ahead of the traction provided by the R-Compound tires on the Shelby.

One problem the Shelby will run into is its live rear axle. This basically means that the rear wheels are connected by a solid piece of metal so that if the right rear wheel hits a bump, the wheel will rise up because of the suspension. This will cause the wheel to pivot around the differential, pushing the left wheel into the ground. It also pushes the left wheel onto the outside edge and off of the inside edge, causing a loss of traction. Long story short, a live rear axle is a nightmare for handling. It's about as sophisticated as my doorhinge. The ZL1, on the other hand, has independent suspension all around, which allows each of the wheels to move without affecting the others. This is one of the main reasons the Camaro is able to lap the Nürburgring in just over 7'41". That's an incredible achievement.

Overall, I think the Camaro ZL1 and the Shelby GT500 are equally matched. The sheer power of the Shelby basically negates the handling advantages the ZL1 has. Both look incredible, and the cost is similar. Of course, these are only my opinions, and if you have anything to say, I'd be happy to hear your input. Thanks for reading, guys!