2013 Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Nissan GT-R R35
R&T Pitted a Camaro ZL1 against a 2013 Nissan GT-R R35
Road and Track ignores price differences, drivetrains, and target markets and gives us one of the strangest head to head match-ups imaginable: 2013 Camaro ZL1 versus 2013 Nissan GT-R
All right, so, I love the Camaro. I unabashedly and unashamedly love the Camaro. You may say that I'm incredibly biased and incredibly unfair against other cars, in fact, my love for the Camaro is so intense. However, all of that considered, I would never expect the Camaro to compete with the Nissan GT-R R35. This isn't meant to be a knock to the Camaro, either, but simply a nod to the power that is the $100k, 545HP, AWD Supercar that is the Nissan GT-R--a car that's famous for competing with quarter-million dollar rides on a daily basis.
So, when I saw that Road and Track had pitted these two vehicles against one another I groaned. I expected this to end up being another case of a media outlet displaying a bias towards European and Japanese cars setting up an unfair comparison as reason to lambaste the American automotive entry. The ZL1 is impressive. The ZL1 is powerful. It's beautiful, inspiring, fun, sexy, cool, and above all else affordable by comparison to other vehicles that provide equivalent amount of vehicle, and I was afraid that by comparing it to a Nissan GT-R R35--the 2013 GT-R R35 of sub 3-second 0-60 times and Nurburgring near-record laps--the comparison would undermine the ZL1, but then something surprising happened: The ZL1 held its own, and then some.
Let's go ahead and get this out of the way. The GT-R R35 is the superior track car to the ZL1. It puts out 545HP to a brilliant continuous AWD transmission and strikes fear in to the hearts of turbo Porsches and Ferraris all across the globe, but it's not so superior that this comparison didn't end up being warranted.
On the track the GT-R bested the ZL1 by a little over 2 seconds. Now, 2 seconds is a lot on a track time, but not so much so when you consider that the price tag of the GT-R is, at minimum, $96,820 compared to the ZL1's base price of $54,995. If your primary concern is track time, I'd be willing to wager that the extra $41+k saved by purchasing the ZL1 could be used to make it lap any track quicker than the GT-R, and still have enough left over to buy the losing GT-R driver a beer to help drown his sorrows.
Now, the GT-R is an easier drive, but, the Camaro ZL1 is, by all definitions, a more enjoyable drive. A skilled racer behind the wheel of the ZL1 will get a great deal of enjoyment and much more involvement and personal reward from their experience, and may even be able to cut track time discrepancies down at stock on a warmer day.
Of course, performance isn't all there is to a car. Road and Track actually stated they preferred the interior of the Camaro ZL1, as well as the standard cruising driving experience.
Ultimately, the comparison ends up being a great deal of fun, and it's awesome to see the ZL1 hold its own against a supercar nearly twice its price. The ZL1 really surprised even my biased expectations coming in to this comparison. Also of note, when watching the video, is to listen to the differences in exhaust tones. Wow, the Camaro ZL1 sounds MUCH MUCH better than the whiny tones of the GT-R.
So, what do you think? Me, I'd save my $41k and take the ZL1 over the GT-R any day of the week.
Popular WindRestrictor Coming for Camaro Convertibles
Extremely Popular Corvette WindRestrictor Product Coming Soon for Camaro Convertibles
The etched acetate and LED lit Convertible WindRestrictor Product that has taken the Corvette world by storm will be available for Camaro Convertible owners as well. (1/21/2012)
The Corvette community has fallen in love with the WindRestrictor convertible wind screen by King Penn Industries, and with good reason. While browsing through their YouTube channel I stumbled across a video yesterday that shows, without question, that they're about to release a new version of their popular Camaro WindRestrictor for the Camaro Convertible as well.
The product sets itself apart from other wind screens--a common product for the Corvette line and one I'm sure to see begin picking up popularity in the Camaro line as well--by combining the incredible functionality and wind buffering of others, but with a gorgeous and stylistic visual design. The piece is made from high quality materials that are certain to retain their look and finish for quiet some time, and which are finished with your choice of GM official licensed engravings/etchings, and LED light options. The lights provide a fantastic look, and are able to be turned on and off. If you want even more show from them, also, there's also an option for a special LED package that includes remote control and availability of switching between all color options, with dimmer and fader functions.
Here's the video for you to check it out for yourself:
And their press release concerning the new product:
"Introducing the brand new, patent pending Windrestrictor for the Camaro Convertible from King Penn Industries Inc. No we do not own rights to this song but it is All American just like the Chevy Camaro so we hope you enjoy! This product is now available through our online shop at www.KingPennIndustries.com or simply give us a call at 972-487-5987. The all new Camaro Windrestrictor is an official licensed product of GM. Our product will fit the SS Super Sport, and all other models of the Camaro Convertible. Our patent pending design is the only product in the world that you can fully customize. You can choose from multiple color options. We offer Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Purple and Pink LED illumination systems. Or, if you prefer, we offer an "Extreme Lighting Kit" with remote control. This option allows you to choose whichever color you want at any given time. It also has a fading option that is HOT for car shows. Our product will be featured at the world of wheels show in the Grabiac Chevrolet Booth as make sure and stop by and check it out! Our windscreen for the Chevy Camaro is also customizable with different graphics options. You can choose from multiple GM licensed graphics or you can use your own and make it custom! Don't do another burn out without having one of these hot, head turning products on your Camaro. It's the best personalized accessory for the Camaro that is available today. Also, it's brand new so be the first in your city to have one! There is no comparrison between our version and others on the market. We also have this awesome product available for the Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac XLR, Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Crossfire, Mercedes SLK, Honda S2000 and the Porsche Boxster. If you were to do a side by side review ours would wind hands down every time! The Windrestrictor for the Camaro is already highly reviewed by owners! This is the only personalized Camaro Windscreen in the world! Windrestrictor is a registered trademark of King Penn Industries Inc. All GM Trademarks are used under licencse to King Penn Industries Inc. If anyone knows about GM coming out with a convertible model of the Camaro ZL1 please let us know! Don't wait another day to add this product to your wish list of Camaro Accessories!"
Reigning Champ Camaro Wins the Sales Battle Once Again
2010's Pony Car Sales Champion Camaro Moved the Most Units in 2011
88,249 Camaros sold in 2011 give it a decisive sales victory over direct muscle car competitors Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger
In sports, when a team or competitor dominates for the majority of the match and coasts to a decisive over-all victory by the very end, the term "blow-out" is typically used. In the case of the battle for most popular American muscle car in 2011, you might say that a "blow-out" victory was exactly the type that the Chevrolet Camaro enjoyed.
Following the vehicle's break-out success in 2010, 2011 saw the Camaro continue its dominance. For 11 of the 12 months the Camaro moved the most vehicles--and did so, in many of those months, with a considerable cushion of multiple thousand units. The only month that the Mustang took the sales crown was the month where Ford was moving all of its prior model year vehicles at a severely discounted price to make way for the new model year, and even in that month the Mustang only managed to move 400 more units than the Camaro.
In December alone 6754 Camaros were sold, which was good for a 20% increase over December of 2010, and a 1697 unit lead over the second place Mustang for that month. On the entire year, the Camaro's 88,249 units sold took a commanding victory over the Mustang at 70,438 and the Challenger at 39,534.
So, there you have it, the Camaro is the victor in its sector for a second straight year, and with the ZL1 hitting showroom floors--and the sales for both the coupe and convertible models of the Camaro continuing to climb--it looks like a safe bet to take home the crown on a threepeat.
A History of Greatness: GM Produces 100-Millionth Small Block Engine
GM Produces 100-Millionth Small Block Engine
A ZR1 LS9 Engine just produced by Chevrolet was the 100-Millionth manufactured by the company.
In the past 56 years, since Chevrolet began producing small block engines, the bowtie emblazoned automotive company and the small block engine has been synonymous with one another. In that time, every iconic car produced by Chevrolet has been known and linked to their famous small-block engine design in some manner. Most recently, the fifth generation Camaro has become a small block powered icon on both road and track, much like it's LS small block powered big brother, the Corvette.
The sheer number there--100,000,000 for those who like lots of zeroes--really highlights the durability, reputation, and potential of the small block and speaks to the iconic nature of the GM engine. It is fitting then to also consider that the first small block, introduced in 1955, was built for the first generation Corvette and the 100-millionth produced was a hand-crafted work of art LS9 made specifically for the sixth generation Corvette's special edition ZR1--the fastest Corvette ever produced.
Of course, the transition from the first small block to the modern pinnacle LS9 is a long one, filled with numerous exciting and memorable engines. In 1992 Chevrolet first introduced its second-generation Small Block, known as the LT1, in to its Corvette. This engine became an absolute staple on tracks across the globe, and adorned various vehicles from that Corvette, to the F-Body Camaro and Firebird, and the B-Body Impala SS and Caprice Police car. The LT1, which featured a newly developed reverse cooling, is still being used in races all across the globe today.
Following the second generation, Chevrolet then introduced their first LS Engine in 1997. This third generation small block, which was first placed in the C5 Corvette, was an even greater step forward. The LS engines are all-aluminum small blocks, and the first of them, the LS1, was rated a naturally aspirated 350HP and 365 lb ft of torque--numbers that, today, are still incredibly impressive for a naturally aspirated 5.7L engine. The LS engine was then featured, in some form, in numerous different vehicles and even had a more powerful, LS6 version introduced in the C5 Z06 Corvette in 2001. This LS6 featured the same 5.7L displacement as its LS1 brethren, but put out a stomach churning 405HP and 400 lb ft of torque.
Those numbers were fairly mind-shattering for a naturally aspirated engine of the LS6's size and weight, at least, until 2005 when the first of the fourth generation small block was released. In 2005 the Corvette went from its fifth generation vehicle to the now current sixth generation, and with the change in body also came the biggest change: the introduction of the Chevrolet LS2. The LS2 was almost identical to the LS6 engine in performance and displacement, but also featured a much more even Torque curve through-out the RPM range, and had the potential to be modified for incredible gains. It was from this base LS2 that the LS7--the now revered 505HP and 470 lb ft torque monster--was produced and introduced to the 2006 Corvette. Just one year after the update of the small block, this engine seemed to be where everything was building, and the Z06 became the undeniable greatest performance bang for the buck on the globe. Within the year, there were Z06's running against quarter-million dollar European exotics on racetracks all across the globe, and each one came with the distinctive sound and tone that only a Chevrolet small block V8 can deliver through the exhaust.
Of course, Chevrolet wasn't finished there (thankfully, they're dedicated to the production of envelope-pushing performance machines) and we saw such engines as the 430HP LS3 (now outfitting the base-level C6 Corvette and the Chevrolet Camaro SS), the LSA (a 556HP Supercharged monster that can be found in the world's fastest production sedan, the Cadillac CTS-V and will also hit the streets in the body of the new super-Camaro ZL1 this year), and the engine that would be made as number 100,000,000--the LS9.
The LS9 is an absolute marvel worth talking about as well, especially considering that everything before it brought us to this point. The LS9, which can only be found in the top of the line Corvette ZR1, produces an amazing supercharged 6.2L engine based on the LS3 block and putting out a ferocious 638bhp and 604 lb ft of torque. Those numbers, in combination with the Corvette's lightweight body and wide, aggressive stance, have produced a vehicle that runs track times that best it's $250,000+ competitors. Today, the ZR1 is the undeniable greatest bargain on wheels that exists for the performance minded consumer, and, as such, is the only engine fitting to be given the designation as number 100,000,000 of its kind.
Of course, Chevrolet's not stopping at 100,000,000 and the future of the small block engine holds a great deal of excitement. Already, official reports have come out that Chevrolet is updating their engine for the seventh-generation of their Corvette, and we may see the introduction of such features as direct injection and an upgraded combustion chamber design, as well as the improved performance and efficiency numbers to match. GM enthusiasts should expect to see the next small block engine first hit the streets in the C7 Corvette, scheduled for release some time in 2014.
2012 Camaro Pricing Released
Recently, the guys at Camaro5 posted up the pricing for the 2012 Camaro. These sheets show all of the available options for the Camaro this year, and the various prices for each. The prices rose across the board, but only in small increments that were certainly made necessary by some nice new touches Chevrolet has put on the vehicles.
Sadly, the ZL1 is not present in this list. Chevrolet's keeping the wraps on their new monster Camaro's price point for a little while longer, it seems.
From Camaro5:
Deletions
- (GAQ) Red Jewel Tintcoat exterior color
- (GHS) Synergy Green Metallic exterior color
- (BDJ) Synergy Green accent panels
- (DBX) inside rearview auto-dimming mirror
- (LLT) 3.6L V6 engine
New Features
- 2LS Coupe (1EN37) model and equipment group for LS with 6-speed automatic transmission
- (H45) 45th Anniversary Package, includes (GAR) Carbon Flash Metallic exterior color, (CBM) Brilliant Red/Medium Charcoal Stripe Package, (R41) 20" x 8" front and 20" x 9" rear Deep Silver painted aluminum wheels, (AFP/AFQ) Black front seats with leather seating surfaces and 45th Anniversary embroidered logo, unique stitching on seats, headrests, steering wheel and shifter, (T4F) high intensity discharge headlamps, unique fog lamps and tail lamps bezel finish, and interior and exterior badging; Coupe also includes (BD8) body-color roof ditch molding; Convertible also includes (19T) Black convertible top
- (SRU) Rear Vision Package, includes (UD7) Rear Park Assist, (UVC) Rear Vision Camera and (DRG) inside rearview auto-dimming mirror with rearview camera display
- (UVC) Rear Vision Camera, standard on all convertible models, 2LT and 2SS coupe and included in the (SRU) Rear Vision Package
- (DRG) inside rearview auto-dimming mirror with rearview camera display, standard on all convertible models, 2LT and 2SS coupe and included in the (SRU) Rear Vision Package
- (AKQ) front passenger, 6-way power seat adjuster standard on LT and SS models
- (LFX) 3.6L V6 engine with increased horsepower
- (FE4) Performance Suspension on SS Coupe models
Changes
All wheel and tire RPO codes have changed, availability remains the same
- Rear spoiler (D80 on Coupe, T43 on Convertible) now standard on all models
- (UD7) Rear Park Assist is now a part of the (SRU) Rear Vision Package and no longer included in the (SRJ) Convenience and Connectivity Package
- Unique RS tail lamps from 2011 (dark lenses and chrome bezel) are now standard on all models
- Shark fin antenna on Coupe models is now body-color when the (WRS) RS Package is ordered
- New instrument panel design including new steering wheel and instrument cluster graphics
- Door lock switches also located on doors[/quote]
The Camaro ZL1 Versus the Corvette: Chevy Taking Aim at Itself?
There's a lot of news out there about the Camaro5 Fest coming up, and lots of other Camaro things dominating the various news feeds these days (February sales numbers, etc.), but I wanted to explore in theory another bit of news: the regular rumor that the ZL1 will come with a $47k price tag. It makes sense, the price associated with the 550HP supercharged monster of a Camaro, but it also raises some questions. Obviously, it puts it just below the Mustang GT500 by about $2500, so that's meant to be its primary competition--and the two vehicles stack of amazingly well to one another on paper--but it also puts the Camaro ZL1 right in line with the base C6 Corvette, for an interesting thought: will the ZL1 Camaro take away from Corvette sales, or vice-versa?
At first, the Camaro and the Corvette seem like two very different vehicles: one's a heavy, HP concerned, more affordable pony car; the other's a lightweight, race-inspired, monster of an American muscle car. Those differences though will ultimately be made much less apparent when the two vehicles hit the track. The extra weight of the Camaro will be negated by the increased HP load, and the MRC suspension given to each vehicle will help them both handle the course equally well. The notoriously difficult to control rear-end of the Corvette may even seem less responsive than the Camaro when on a windier track--a thought that's fairly impressive to think about. So, when the comparisons hit the web of the two vehicles (and we know they're inevitable) I'm incredibly excited to see how the two vehicles, which are almost identical in price, fair against one another. It's pretty fair to assume that the Camaro, with the extra HP and vastly improved suspension, will outperform the Mustang GT500 readily, and be right in line with the lighter and more race-specific Corvette's performance numbers. What separates these two vehicles at that point then? A MPG rating that will certainly be a little better on the Corvette, or the Camaro's extra back-seat? Maybe the argument for a consumer ultimately comes down to a battle of style and namesake (the Camaro's beloved by the population, but few vehicle or vehicle names hearken back to such incredible thoughts as the Corvette does) between the two vehicles? I'm afraid that Chevrolet's gearing up to compete with itself here, and I'm not sure if that business move will be a good one in the long run. As it stands right now, the Camaro outsells the Mustang and Challenger handily, and the Corvette stands as the next step up. When two options from the same company exist in the same market point, how will they help/hinder one another?
I'm not sure how these vehicles will affect the market-shares of each other, but, I do think that as competition goes the ZL1 and the C6 Corvette will be more in line with each other than the SRT8 392 Challenger or GT500 Mustang are. What do you think? Obviously, the ZL1's going to be an amazing vehicle and a great step forward by Chevrolet as a company--but will it be a successful business move? Since the restructuring of GM, this question begs to be asked about every move they make.
New Camaro 2LS Trim – 1 Extra MPG
In a move that's almost certainly motivated by Ford's release of 30MPG EPA numbers on their V6 Mustang, Chevrolet is adding a new trim package for their own V6 model Camaro. The new package, which will be known as the 2LS(derived from the already available LS trim), is an Automatic only trim that will not sacrifice HP numbers, but will offer an EPA rated 30MPG fuel efficiency. This 30MPG number is only 1 higher than the already impressive 29MPG efficiency rating for the Camaro, but presents a vehicle with equivalent fuel efficiency to the Mustang, and higher HP numbers, at the base V6 trim. For drivers who a V6 with a Manual transmission, they'll now be purchasing what will be known as the 1LS trim. The 1LS will be identical in numbers to the current LS trim level.
Chevrolet has achieved this extra 1MPG by changing the gearing ratio on the automatic Camaro. The trim itself has a few other features, though, beyond the enhanced MPG rating. The 2LS trim comes with: rear spoiler, 2.92 rear axle ratio, and standard 18″ LS steel wheels, and is set to retail for an MSRP of $24,700. All in all, this seems like a pretty intelligent and business-minded move by Chevrolet to do what was necessary to not be behind of Ford in any statistical category possible.
GM’s Taking the Camaro to India
With India's economy enjoying sustained growth for more than a decade now, and their automotive industry being amongst the leaders of that growth, it makes sense the sports car market within the country has begun to see a great deal of life and vibrancy. Already, European supercar companies have imported their brands to India for the country's wealthiest businessmen and women to get their hands on (Maserati, Ferrari, and Koenigsegg are just a few of the names) that it made sense that Chevrolet's most prized and well-reviewed vehicle would be joining them. Starting later this year, GM has announced that the Chevrolet Camaro will become available within the Indian market.
The vehicle will be entering in interesting territory. Chevrolet has already built a decent consumer base within the country, and there's a market opening for a more affordable sports car to step in and fill. Currently, for a true sports car feel and appearance, the high-end European automotives are the only real thing available, and their vehicles tend to be priced so highly that they're well outside the range of the average consumer. Even with the importation fees and and taxes (which typically raise the cost of an American automobile entering the Indian market by %110), the Camaro will still be a much more affordable sports car than its competitors within that market. This greater affordability (while still expensive, no doubt) will open up an all new, potential sports car buying client base that has previously been untapped within the Indian market. If this calculated risk pays off, GM could find themselves holding a very strong stake in a very quickly evolving automotive market--a move that will reflect positively upon their future prospects worldwide. Of course, the risk doesn't seem to be too extreme, as the incredible styling and construction of the Camaro have made it an immediate hit anywhere and everywhere it has been made available.
Camaro Officially Outsells The Mustang in 2010- Ends Ford’s 24 Year Reign Atop the Pony Car Market
For close to a quarter-century Ford has maintained a stronghold on the American Pony Car market with its Mustang, but 2010 was the year that all changed. In the first full year of sales for the Camaro revival, the Mustang was unseated from its throne.
In 2010, the Camaro sold 81,299 to the Mustang's 73,716. That, ladies and gentlemen, is not only a victory, but a solid one at that. Of course, neither vehicle was ultimately hurting, as each saw their sales increase from the year prior. The Camaro by an impressive 32%, and the Mustang by 11%. This should not come as any news, however, as the Pony Car race has bolstered, and even been a large part of the revitalization of the American automotive industry. This is surprising, as it comes at a time when lawmakers are trying to push the American public towards the antithesis of the Pony Car-smaller, more fuel efficient, less powerful vehicles, like the Chevy Volt.
Of course, Ford contributes their loss in the sales race to the fact that this was the first full year of sales for the Camaro. This accreditation lacks the foresight of the fact that the Camaro performed this impressive feat with basically only two models on sale. The Mustang, however, had 7 vehicle models in its line-up. With the release of the Camaro and Camaro SS Convertibles this year, as well as the Z28 in the near future, one might speculate (with relative safety) that the Camaro will begin a new reign atop the vehicles sales race in their class. Further proof towards this are the numerous accolades and awards that have been bestowed upon the Camaro since its release. Whatever the case may be, 2010 was a great year not just for the Camaro, but for American Pony Cars in general, and the future only looks like it will be even brighter.
Pony Cars Bolster American Sports Car Sales
2002 was the year of the sports car, so far as American automakers are concerned. It looks like, maybe, 2011 is setting itself to take the crown though. In 2002, sports cars made up 3.1% of all vehicles sold in the United States, a number that was a high for as long as Edmunds had been tracking the vehicles sales information. Of course, we all know what happened to the U.S. economy, and shortly after 2002 raising unemployment, sky-rocketing fuel costs, and economic uncertainty began to signal what many viewed would be the death of the Sports Car. Thankfully, the Camaro, Mustang, and Dodge Challenger have proven over the last two years just how wrong that sentiment was.
In 2009, sports cars made up 2.9% of all U.S. automotive sales. This is an impressive number, to be certain. What makes that number even more impressive, as far as the American Pony car revival is concerned, is the fact that the American automotives are really leading the charge for the group. Foreign sports cars, such as the Mazda RX-8, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and even the seemingly unstoppable force that is the Mazda Miata, have seen sales declines from year to year, with some models losing as much as 60% of sales volumes between 2009 and 2010. In contrast to that, the Camaro has seen 39.9% sales increases between those years. The Challenger, the biggest gainer in the American Pony market, went up 43.5% year-to-year. The Mustang increased 13.6% in that same period, too. Those numbers don't look to slow down, either, as each vehicle line is releasing multiple new models and upgrades next year that are certain to bolster already impressive popularity numbers.
In fact, with the upgraded Challenger drivetrains and performance packages, the Mustang's inclusion of multiple new vehicles in to its line-up, and the release of the Convertible Camaro, 2011 stands poised to potentially beat the 3.1% mark of 2002, and continue trending upward in to the future.
