Spy Photos: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Hangs with Shelby GT500

By the time the new Z28 is on the market, Ford will have improved the Shelby and the Camaro will come up short. The brand new Camaro is the equal of the old tech Mustang but that is about all.....not very impressive for all the money GM spent on it.

Menacing pic! Looking forward to this baby!

Ford needs to put there 5.0 in the GT500. Then it will be the top car with no argument what so ever.

@saynotogm:

That would make absolutely no sense. The GT500 already has the 5.4 that makes 550hp.

These are not "spy photos", more like Chevy giving Priddy a privileged peek.

@stress83:

Naturally aspirated the 5.0 has more power then the 5.4. Even thought the 5.4 is a little bigger engine i believe 5.0 has a lot more potential with its TiVCT.

Ahhh, exciting. I love benchmarking, because it makes everything better.

Ford may have an ace up their sleeve though. Remember some months ago when a Ford rep said the new 6.2L was designed to fit all 5.4L applications? Now imagine adding forced induction. 6.2L S/C versus 6.2L S/C. I like it.

I've never been in the market for either, and don't have a dog in this fight. If it were my choice, I'd take the Mustang hands down. The Z28 might win the horsepower war, but the Camaro is fat, overweight, and generally unable to be as nimble a sportscar. I'm not a fan of how it looks either...it will be outdated within the next 6-7 years, the Mustang has a far more enduring look.

where are the t tops its time to bring back the t tops and didn't the old z28 have less power than the ss. what is gm doing. that realy bugs me about the badge, like when they got the brite idea of puting ss on everything.

zeniff says:

11:03 AM, 08/ 3/10

"I've never been in the market for either, and don't have a dog in this fight. If it were my choice, I'd take the Mustang hands down. The Z28 might win the horsepower war, but the Camaro is fat, overweight, and generally unable to be as nimble a sportscar. I'm not a fan of how it looks either...it will be outdated within the next 6-7 years, the Mustang has a far more enduring look."

Have you been sleeping under a rock? The Mustang has already been around since '04. The way Ford does things, the same basic car will remain unchanged until 2020. "Let's keep slapping on new headlights, taillights and a dashboard and call it 'All-New' again!" says one Ford exec to another.

That photo makes the Mustang look very very nice.
Chevy should have picked one in a muted colour w/o the stripes for testing with its car. Ya know, to make the Camaro look good.

@redgeminipa - that's because "the Mustang has a far more enduring look," as zeniff said. You pretty much just reinforced the point. Sure it doesn't look excitingly exotic, but it just looks good yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

@zeniff

i'm with u. i think the mustang looks much better even tho its a design from 6 years ago. IMO the camaro's look is a little dated already. the mustang is also more nimble in every way. it also has a much better interior.

@4g63 - redgeminipa is right. The only thing thats "All-new" about the mustang are the headlights, tailights and a new hood. With the way ford is managing the mustang design, its almost like trying to cover up the ugliness from a piece of poo. "it also has a much better interior"?? Is this a joke? The mustang has had the same interior for like, FOREVER!.

Hmmm, any chance the next GT 550 will get direct injection and a twin scroll turbo? Imagine, no whine, max torque right off idle, and 100-125 hp/l. And then, imagine the same mpg as the GT.

The Chevy looks SO BIG from the outside, all the while riding in it is like sitting in a small bathtub.

@xxchevyguyxx

a joke? there're so many people complaining about the camaro's interior especially the steering wheel. but well, you name says it all.

LOL @ This photo. Spy photography gone wrong.
The focus of the pic is the "Hot New Chevy", yet the GT500, in the background, steals the shot!! LOL
I know the Ford guys are loving this one!!
The GT500 looks like it's preparing to pounce on the Camaro from behind and tear it to shreds.. LOVE IT!!

The only thing that could make this picture better is if they took of the camo so we could see the true ugliness of the Camaro compared to the Mustang.

Pretty common idea, but Ford should take a 5.0, supercharge it, and stick it in the GT500. It will beat any Z28, if the 2011 GT500 doesn't already.

I'm a lifelong GM guy, with apologies for the last 5 years of wandering in Toyota wilderness, I am now firmly back (bought a GMC Terrain for the wife)!

BUT, I have to say, after renting a couple of Mustangs for the weekend... back in 2007-2008 and now again with the 2011 model (got a convertible with the 300hp V6... wahoo!), I for the FIRST TIME in my life, SERIOUSLY considered buying a blue oval. If we didn't have kids, it probably would have been a 'Stang for simple FUN-TO-DRIVE factor... the car is a blast! I've sat in the Camaro at a dealership, you are too low on the ground and feels like you have a very big helmet on your head & you can barely see out of it. I would also consider a Dodge Challenger before I'd buy a Camaro. If it drives anything like the Chrysler 300 then it could be alot of fun.

I wounder if Dodge is ever gonna step up to this level or performance with the challenger.

I'll take the Ford, thank you very much. At least you can see out of it. Still, great to see the ponycar wars heating up.

@Southsideny - Kinda funny how the mustang is left in the dust(Typical for a mustang), While the camaro isnt even breaking a sweat. Coincidence?

Looking at the Camaro, I'm reminded of Rick Moranis' character, Dark Helmet, in Spaceballs.

Wait what? Are you serious, if you can tell that the Camaro is faster than the Mustang just by a picture, I want some of what you have.

Current Mustangs better looking than the current Chevy Camaro? Really? Coming from a completely unbiased viewer (unlike most of the Chevy and Ford bloggers commenting) and performance aside, the Chevy Camaro is hands down the far better looking car. There is no comparison having seen both up close. Had to comment after seeing so many put down the look of the Camaro vs. the Stang. There is no sensible way unless you are a Mustang owner or fanatic that one can say a Mustang looks better than a Camaro or that a Camaro is not at least visually appealing.

chirobio, I'm glad that you've informed us that you're unbiased; as if we'd believe you.

PaulinaVincent0, I am glad that you're glad that you've been informed. Funny Ford lover, don't take it so personal. Mustangs are nice looking rides, visually speaking however, they just pail in comparison to the Camaro. I own neither and am stating an opinion/preference. Believe what you will. Sleep well tonight and try not to wet the sheets while stroking your pony car.

chirobio20 and paulvincent1,

I think we could all agree that looks are subjective.

After all, what man intended to marry a fat, unattractive wife. And yet... walk through any mall in America and notice the selections made. Other guys' wives (and car choices) are ugly and deplorable. Our choice is beautiful. What geniuses we all are... especially when we know what's best for everyone else.

If you like the Camaro, the new one looks great. If you like Mustangs, the new one looks great. Both look better than the other, depending on your perspective (which is reality in each individual's case).

Now, if you are talking about live axle verses IRS, steering wheel shape or wheel choice, well now your gettin' somewhere ; -)

Both of these cars need a diet, but in traditional fashion, it's easier to make hp than lose weight. And so the story goes.
Don't get me wrong, 550HP and 4200lbs is fun, but I'd rather have 400HP and a half ton less mass to move.

And neither interior is great. So for both sides arguing the other's interior needs work, you both win.

Challenger SRT-10 is next..

chirobio20, "PaulinaVincent0, I am glad that you're glad that you've been informed. Funny Ford lover, don't take it so personal." Who is taking things personal, chirobio20? If you are not biased, why did you change my name from paulvincent1 as well as calling me a funny Ford lover? It is you chirobio20 who is biased, and for that reason, your opinion is worthless.

The GT500 looks so much better, signed ford fan.
The Z28 looks so much better, signed chevy fan.

Anyway, for those of us (who are aging) who like the smooth consistent power of an automatic there apparently will be only one choice.

xxchevyguyxx, go back to YouTube and troll there. This is not the place.
As far as the rest of you go, just my two cents. Exterior-wise, the Camaro is much more dramatic and appealing, obviously. Although, I love nostalgia and retro design. The Camaro reminds me more of the Genesis Coupe rather than the 'Stang or the Challenger. It looks good, yes, but not reminiscient. I think it will get old fast. However, the Mustang is subtler (Is that a word?) yet still looks muscular and powerful. Interior-wise, the Camaro is a joke. I don't like steering wheels with a giant marshmallow in the middle that makes me think of either the phrase, "Tonka-Tough" or just "Tuff" (Spelled like that). The only piece I liked about the Camaro's interior is the gauges down in dash, if you know what I'm talking about. Those are pretty cool, in my opinion. The Mustang has a much better interior, in looks, ergonomics, and, as far as research suggests, quality. I'll take the 'Stang. However, in my books, the Chevrolet would stand much better with a retro design (I'm talking whole real design, not a few styling cues, like the inlets behind the doors) and not-terrible visibility.

Aww man all you ford guys are ridiculous how the hell the mustang gt500 gonna beat the camaro when it just got spank by the cts-v coupe in if i'm correct in i think i am the caddy weighs a bit more in has the same engine. so how is it going to beat the camaro, and personally it looks like the mustang is struggling to get out the corner and keep up. Dont forget about chevy's 5.5 liter thats going to have more power than its 6.2 from what i hear it should make anywhere from 450-525 natural horsepower

Just a head's up to the Ford guys... the only mustang that can beat a Camaro in handling is one equipped with the track package. Try living with that every day on regular roads, even the regular mustang is a truck over bumps. For a more sophisticated ride, try a Camaro, bet you'll be surprised.
And if the Ford designers could somehow make that rear end sag disappear, the Mustang would look a lot better.

"macine says: Just a head's up to the Ford guys... the only mustang that can beat a Camaro in handling is one equipped with the track package. Try living with that every day on regular roads, even the regular mustang is a truck over bumps. For a more sophisticated ride, try a Camaro, bet you'll be surprised. "
Just a heads up to the Chevy guys, the 2010 track package handling upgrades are standard on the 2011 Mustang GT. The 3.73 gears are a standalone option. In addition Brembo brakes are available for track use. I suppose of Ford wanted to improve the ride over bumpy roads, they could add a few hundred pounds in the trunk to match the Camaro.

"macine says: Just a head's up to the Ford guys... the only mustang that can beat a Camaro in handling is one equipped with the track package. Try living with that every day on regular roads, even the regular mustang is a truck over bumps. For a more sophisticated ride, try a Camaro, bet you'll be surprised. "
Just a heads up to the Chevy guys, the 2010 track package handling upgrades are standard on the 2011 Mustang GT. The 3.73 gears are a standalone option. In addition Brembo brakes are available for track use. I suppose of Ford wanted to improve the ride over bumpy roads, they could add a few hundred pounds in the trunk to match the Camaro.

If I had to rank the cars, it woul go like this (#1 being my favorite choice and cost being a consideration):

1. 2011 Subaru WRX STI 5 door (don't want a boy racer wing)
2. 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0
3. 2011 Dodge Challenger R/T 6speed
4. Used Pontiac G8 GXP
5. Used Porsche Cayman
6. 2011 Camaro

And I'm a GM guy.......

So sad.

We waited all that time for a turd.

When this thing does get out the mustang will already be new and improved and will leave camaro in the dust again and nonohonda subaru would be last on every list and that's not just because im a ford guy it's because subaru sucks hard!!!!!!!!!!!

@ns5 - Since when do circus monkeys use computers.

Good lord. Who was it here that "Subaru sucks hard"? What does that even mean? I think, for overall best bang for the buck - aesthetics, reliability, handling, and shear fun-factor, that STI has it all over these cars. Sure, it may not be pushing 500+ hp (stock), but these two tanks wouldn't hold a candle on the track (you know, the ones that don't go in a straight line). So "nonohonda", I'm with you there.

However, that's not to say I don't think both of these cars have a nice, stealthy look about them. They both continue to improve. I agree from both points of view why some might find the other more attractive. But lets face it, the interior designers for Ford and GM have been on the job for way too long. I've seen 8 yr old Toyota's that make these interiors look dated. I just don't get it. It's kind of depressing.

But to each his own - everybody's entitled to their own opinions!

Mustang is so well balanced !

Camaro is not a Muscle car nor a Coupe..
Maybve they should have 2 kinds of this vehicle..
..

We were waiting for so long to see some Muscular Beast form Detroit..
It will be a great joy to see Z28 challanging Shelby on 1/4 mile race..