They may be different as night and day in most aspects, but we shouldn't forget that both the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the latest 2013 Nissan GT-R are aimed at the sports car enthusiast.
Nevertheless, we do find the pairing from Road & Track for its latest test a tad odd for one specific reason: pricing.
You see, Camaro ZL1 with its 580HP 6.2L supercharged V8 will retail for $54,995 (€41,800) when it arrives in dealerships this spring, whereas the 2013 edition of the 545HP Nissan GT-R starts from $96,820 (€73,500) not including destination and handling fees. This means there's more $40,000 difference between the two cars.
Having said that, it shouldn't surprise anyone that the all-wheel drive GT-R comes out as the more advanced sports car of the two being faster and more potent on the track in R&T's test.
However, the magazine does note that the rear-wheel drive ZL1 has more character and allows for more driver involvement, even though this comes at a cost on the track.
For more details on the test, watch the video that follows below.
24 Comments:
Camaro is a poor man's sports car. Corvette is the higher end offering. Camaro is ghetto. Corvette is refined. GM has no idea to brand their product properly(or they would've tossed Buick & GMC and kept Pontiac) but this is basically how they view each nameplate.
It always has been this way and quite frankly, I don't see why that would change at all based on how corvette is being marketed. Camaro really only competes with the the Mustang (the Dodge Challenger is the best looking but the weight, tranny and overall package is nowhere near the other two).I like everything about the ZL1 but it is 10 years too late. The middle class is getting hollowed out in the US and more than likely, a person who can reasonably afford a 50K car, can also afford an M3, 911 and a GT-R. Each are superior in every respect to the Chevy offering. Sad to say but if this car hit before the recession, I think it would do well. As it stands, the people who buy this sort of car can no longer afford it without giving up things like food, water or shelter.But rest assured, a former private equityguy , a.k.a. elitist money man is going to be the next president...he'll look out for the little guy...lol
Wishful thinking racist plutocrat.....Obama 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If GM would scale down the new Camaro in size, they would have a better winner. It would be even better if private investors would buy off the Camaro, Corvette, and Cadillac. Then we might see what these models/brands are really capable of accomplishing.
Neither are 'Sports cars', they are 2+2's or GT's. The Corvette is a sports car. The 911, M3, G-37, with their '+2' seats are GT's. Porsche even has a GT model and race series for the 911.
Sports cars have two seats with sporty intentions, which disqualifies a 'Smart' car.
Reread ' Bluetheimpala' last paragraph ..how do you get 'racist' out of that?
SERIOUSLY! Come on, surely you jest.....your detest for the Camaro is rather juvenile. The Camaro is one of the cars that has help GM rebound and is a staple in American Automotive History. The new model redefines that even more. Calling the Camaro "ghetto", whats your reasoning behind that? I have millionaire investors who purchased the Camaro just as a piece of Americana, or to relive their ol' fondness for the Camaro marquee. True, the Camaro and Corvette are two different cars but they were ALWAYS meant to be. The Camaro is a sports coupe, the Corvette a Sports Car. Both are American Icons in their own right and both serve two different markets. The ZL1 was never meant to take on the 911 or GT-R, that is 'Vette Territory my friend.
The only reason they kept Buick is because it has a large market in China.
Saddam Hussein had been long gone, so should Obama Hussein. it's time to step now dwag.
Blewtheimpala - you seem to have a lot to say about a tranny...........personal experience?
Netsnewyork - racist? So a multimillionaire black American is okay, but a multimillionaire white American isn't?
In my book, all politicians suck. However, the one we have now is the one we'll be stuck with for four more years.
Now that is racist. A person's name does not a terrorist make.
What's a dwag?
Silly combo, GT-R goes against exotics, the Camaro is for show offs doing donuts at the Walamrt parking lot.
Asshole.
Don't even think....
GT-R is King of Performance. [Speed, Acceleration, Handling (most Imp.), cornering (again imp.) drive feedback, preciseness, uniqueness.....the details.]
GT-R....its All.
Reg; 'drive feedback, GT-R....its All.' Obviously, you haven't driven one.
well, i wouldnt say the GTR is a "rich" mans car as well, because of the ridiculously low price, its just like the RX8, people buy it, cant afford to maintain it, and then immediately sends it to the second hand dealers
even tho there are tonnes of gtrs at my place you struggle to see more than 3 GTR on a track day..
but thats just my place i dont know about other countries tho..
Bad Guess.
that camaro looks too chunky.....spoils it for me, its like a lady with too much make up on
COL! Fantasy drives don't count. Masturbating to the GT-R poster on your wall doesn't either.
Driving the GT-R is a Fantasy. Bad Guess again.
No substance inside too. It just spurts out bad bills.
Fear the wrath of Godzilla.
Wow what an ignorant comment, its funny how pompous badge whores are always finding ways to belittle things they dont like.
I like that Camaro, it's very brutal, but that will never beat the GT-R. They are not in the same category.
Its interesting reading these posts... I was looking to replace my current dry day ride - 2003 911 Carrera (106K hardish miles) - which I drive year round and take a few long drives in every year.
I was about to pull the trigger on my second 911- but coming in at $114K after discounts, it gave me pause - and in the end I just did not see the benefit given what you can get for about half that... Actually what drives me really nuts is the service charges (the last one was killer - 12.3K for brakes, new coilovers, a full service, detailing and a new water pump - wow!) - however they do a great job.
I considered waiting for an M6 (same price as the 911) and really looked at the Vette options, I have a deposit on a ZL1 now. It was a close call between this and the Vette Z06 - but I really want a couple of jump seats in the back to keep the family peace. The other option is the new Mustang - but if I'm going for a muscle car, then I just prefer the Camaro.
Maybe I'm way to practical, but the reality is that there are so few roads I drive where the 911 would be the better car (yes the interior is a LOT nicer). There are however many more roads that I drive where the ZL1 will plaster a bigger smile on my face - you guys all know it - just hammer it (esp. when the guy behind you is tailgaiting you at 80) and hit mid the 100's leaving everything behind in the dust :) and then, just drift down to reality so the local constabulary doesn't get too excited :( The ZL1 handles great too - and the difference is really only going to be noticed on the track.As for the GT-R - its an incredible machine - I just don't like the way it looks - sorry. Also $100K for a Nissan (why didn't they sell it as an Infiniti?). In the end I was looking for something a bit purer and with less electronics - but thats probably illusionary given all the nanny electronics on everything - but I'm really looking forward to my snarling brute.
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