Ford Shelby GT500 Vs. Chevy Camaro ZL1

The Ford versus Chevy rivalry has been a defining part of the American automotive industry for much of the past century. The first Ford Mustang debuted in 1964, introducing the world to an affordable sports car and becoming the inspiration for the term “pony car.” Two years later, Chevy came out with the Camaro. Since then, these two cars have been battling it out in showrooms and on the racetrack, boasting some of the newest technologies and most attractive styling to the table year after year.

Ford released its first Shelby Mustang in 1965, which was a higher performance version of the standard Mustang. The 1970 Shelby was the last model year for the car, until it was resurrected in 2006. Not to be outdone, Chevy released its first Camaro ZL1 in 1966 for the 1967 model year. It was produced through 1969 and was released again for the 2012 model year.

So, which of these modern muscle cars is perfect for you? Here are some of the pros and cons of each so that you can make your decision.

Ford Shelby GT500 Vs. Chevy Camaro ZL1 PROS: According to Ford, the 2013 Shelby GT500 has a more powerful engine than any other American-made production car in the history of the industry. With a supercharged 5.8 liter, V8 engine, the 662 horsepower engine has a top speed of 202 mile per hour. If you have a need for speed, you will love this pony car, which can go from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds. The car has a number of improved features over the 2012 model, including the larger engine and bigger supercharger, a six-speed manual transmission, a driveshaft made of carbon fiber, and a new rear drive axle that has a 3.31:1 ratio. One of the most appealing points of the GT500 for modern drivers is that, according to Ford, it offers the most efficient engine for the amount of horsepower. Getting 24 mpg on the highway, 15 mpg in the city, with a combined gas economy of 18 miles per gallon, fueling this engine is surprisingly affordable.

Chevy Camaro ZL1 PROS: The Camaro ZL1 boasts a 580 horsepower, 6.2 liter, LSA V8 engine, which is essentially the same engine as the Cadillac CTS-V and the Corvette ZR1. The Camaro ZL1 coupe has a timed quarter mile lap at Nürburgring of 7:41.27, which completely blows away the GT500. Camaro aficionados love the precision and control that is replete in this vehicle. Stiffer suspension and magnetic ride control, as well as the X-brace under the engine make it so the car is ultra-responsive no matter where you are driving. The magnetic ride control can actually monitor the road conditions as you are driving. It is designed to automatically adjust damping so that you get the smoothest ride possible. It also comes standard with the Performance Traction Management system. One of the undeniable benefits of the Camaro ZL1 is that it is available with a ragtop for all of those convertible lovers out there. The top is able to go up or down in 18 seconds. The convertible also comes with either an automatic or manual transmission.

CONS: Starting at $54,650, this car costs a whopping $6,000 more than last year’s mile, although the base model is only slightly more expensive than the Camaro ZL1. Of course, the amount that you pay for yours will vary depending on the extra features that you want to have. Even Mustang enthusiasts admit that the Shelby GT500 isn’t the best on the track. At 3,850 lb, this car is significantly lighter than the ZL1 and doesn’t offer nearly the traction control available in a heavier car. While having a quarter mile time of 9.39 seconds seems impressive, it still can’t compare with the faster time of the ZL1. By investing another $3495 in the Performance Package, you can get a Torsen limited-slip differential and two Bilstein electronically adjustable shocks. The shocks allow you to choose between normal mode and sport mode. While sport mode helps the Mustang considerably on the track, it still makes for a pretty bumpy ride on anything but perfectly smooth terrain.

CONS: Although the ZL1 has a powerful engine, its top speed of 180 miles per hour is no match for the GT500. Its smokin’ 0 to 60 time of 3.9 seconds, according to Chevy, is also just a little bit slower than the Mustang. If you plan to do any type of racing on a straightaway, there are several options out there that are better than the ZL1. The convertible version of this car is only certified for speeds up to 155 mph, which means that it may not be able to go quite as fast as the coupe version of the ZL1. While the coupe starts at $54,350 only a few hundred dollars less than the GT500, the convertible adds a $5,195 premium to the cost.

And Finally…

Now that you know a little bit about the features of each of these cars, which one is best for you? They are both great cars, in their own respect.

The base models of either of these cars carry a similar price tag; although, performance-enhancing extras may run you a little bit more on the GT500. Some people recommend that you don’t even consider buying the GT500 without the Performance Package.

Otherwise, focus on the performance ratings and features that you are looking for. If you want a convertible or would prefer an automatic transmission, the Camaro is the car for you. Shelby doesn’t even offer either of these options. If you want bragging rights about driving the fastest and most powerful American-made car on the market, there really isn’t a car that compares to the Shelby GT500.

While you can read volumes about the specs of each of these cars, the best way to make a decision is to do a test drive at your local dealership. Once you have spent a few minutes behind the wheel, you will be a lot better prepared to make your decision.

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