The Best Pony: Thoroughbred Throwdown

Finally, we arrive at the powerhouses of the Mustang and Camaro line-ups. Admit it, this is what we have all been waiting for. Without further ado, I give you the two fastest ponies in the Mustang and Camaro lineups.

Let's talk about price. The Camaro ZL1 1LE costs $66,190 without any options. On the other hand, its competitor, the Mustang Shelby GT500, totals at $72,900 but includes options that Chevrolet adds for an additional cost. These items include an upgraded audio and entertainment system, Miko racing bucket seats, carbon fiber accents, keyless entry, Brembo brakes, racing stripes, digital instrument clusters, lap timers, line-lock, launch control, and other features. For this reason, the GT500 receives one point for standard components and the ZL1 1LE gets one point for price.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Now, these will undoubtedly have horrible gas mileage. The Camaro gets a mere 16 miles to the gallon. Even worse than that, the Mustang only attains 14 mpg, or about 20 cents per mile at best. The GT500 can hold up to four passengers but is usually purchased with a rear seat delete. It is unknown currently how much room is available for two passengers. The figure for four passengers is the same as the others, 84.5 total cubic feet. It also has the same trunk space as its brothers the GT and the EcoBoost. The Camaro has the same trunk and passenger space as its baby brothers. Because of this, the Camaro will obtain for itself two points for better gas mileage and a larger passenger area. The GT500 will bring home one point for more space in the rear.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

Being the cream of the muscle car crop, the Mustang Shelby GT500 and the Camaro ZL1 1LE have amazing performance numbers. The Mustang explodes out of the stable with incredible numbers. Powered by its monstrous supercharged 5.2L Predator V8, which inhales the road in front of it, eats it, and spits it out, it produces 760 hair-raising horsepower and 625 pounds of pure, unbridled torque. It will do 0-60 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds, 0-100 in an eye-watering 6.7 seconds, and throw down a quarter-mile in just 10.2 seconds, enough to rival the Ferrari F8 Tributo. It has a finishing speed of 133 miles per hour and a 0-100-0 braking time of 10.6 seconds. Unfortunately, because of the 550 pounds of downforce created by the rear wing, it tops out at only 180 miles per hour. On the Chevy side, the ZL1 1LE has a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds, a standing quarter-mile time of 11.7 seconds with a finishing speed of 130 miles per hour, and a 70-0 stopping distance of 141 feet. All this is caused by the 6.2L V8 that creates 650 horses and 650 lb-ft of torque. It has a top speed of 190 mph which is aero limited by the 300 pounds of downforce produced by the rear spoiler. Now, all that means nothing to the Camaro if it cannot beat the GT500. The Mustang earns itself six points for besting the Camaro in the quarter-mile, 0-60, 0-100, slowing, downforce, and finishing speed. The Camaro gets one point for a higher top speed.

The Totals

Now we get to the totals. The Mustang scored itself 8 points, outscoring the Camaro in performance and tying in the price and options category. The ZL1 1LE has earned 4 points by outscoring the Mustang in practicality and tying in the price and options category. This brings the total number of points to 44. The Mustang scored 26 points and the Camaro was awarded 18 points.

That ends our comparison of the Mustang GT500 and the Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE. These cars are incredible machines and I hope you have enjoyed my comparisons. Thank you for joining me, and stay tuned for the Best Pony wrap-up article coming soon!