Read (and watch) it here: Boss 302 Laguna Seca and Camaro ZL1 Duke it Out

Motor Trend released this write up a few days ago, but they just released the video today. It's still worth it to see the actual differences in handling and acceleration around the track. I won't give away who comes out on top though. You'll have to come to that conclusion yourself.

 

Well, I thought the ZL1 would do better than it did. It is still an amazing car, but the extra 140hp didn't really do all that much. I can't wait to see the 13 gt500 against it.

 

Even with the supercharger, it's only 4/10s of a second faster in the straights? Seems like the Boss is either A) one supercharger or B) another step up in braking sophistication away from blowing the ZL1 out of the water.

Good luck to the ZL1 when the '13 GT500 rolls out. It sure as hell will need it.

 

There are interesting contradictions in these comparisons. It's clear the Boss can not be driven as hard into corners hitting the curbs because of the live axel and the brakes are not as strong and durable with hard laps and friction.

I'd love to see what the Boss could do with a custom tune, bigger 6 piston brakes and a watts link to stop the scary lateral rear movement over bumps like the track curbs the driver kept mentioning. I'd think we'd have an even match then. Erik

 

I find it amazing that in 2012 we are looking at two high caliber driving machines in the Camaro and Mustang. Ten years ago it looked as though it was the end of the road for both cars.

And again today, there is doubt as to how long Ford and GM can keep producing such monster machines. It is possible that when the new GT500 and Camaro go head to head in every magazine that covers cars this summer, it could be the last round of the heavyweight fight. The battle may shift to the light and middle weight class with supercharged sixes and turbo fours.

But then again, you never know...

 

Interesting --- GM announced yesterday that it has halted delivery of the ZL-1 for some unspecified issue.

 

Because its a lard ****, lol. With the money you would drop on the ZL-1, the boss would spank it.

I am looking forward to seeing the Shelby and ZL-1 go at it. They need to do a drag racing comparison to because its not all about going in circles.

I believe that if Ford were to develop and good IRS system there wouldnt be much of a competition there and throw in some better brakes, and watch out

 

The Camaro needs the extra power to push around the extra weight...Curb weight 4120 lbs
Boss 302 laguna Seca curb weight 3666

A difference of nearly a 1/4 ton (454 lbs). That's a LOT of cheesburgers, fries, pizza, and beer.

The GT-500's problem is being able to put the power to the ground and translate it into forward momentum. The Boss beat the 2011 GT-500 around a track by a couple of seconds even though the GT500 puts out over 100HP+ over the Boss.

Unless they fixed that for 2013 the GT-500 will probably end up looking like the ZL1 against the Boss, (why didn't it do better..?)

 

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...pments-stopped

Software glitch, maybe the GM-Toyota partnership a few years ago had some unexpected consequences, ZL1s that accelerate on their own or don't stop when you hit the brakes

 

Watching the video I think that the BOSS LS looks just so freaking cool. They did little things to it to make it really stand out, such as the bright red/orange accents and that awesome BOSS lip that sticks way out. The Camaro looks a bit generic, like a toy car, or out of Transformers movie. Also the Camaro is just way to freaking heavy, similar to SRT8 Challenger. But in person I love the low-roofline, muscular look (more muscular than the Mustang imo)

I really would like to see these muscle cars go back to lighter weight, they said the original mustang was around 2500lbs?! Had no idea. A physically smaller, 3000 lb mustang with a turbo or s/c 6-cylinder would be ****. That's why i've always loved imports - lighter weight - better fuel economy. When I am next to a 350z or S2000 at the stop light, I feel freakimg huge. But boy do I love the low end torque of my v8