C&D Lightning Lap: 2017 Camaro 1LE vs 2016 Shelby GT350R

Bru

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I would have liked to see it versus a GT350, non-R.

GT350R: 2:51.8
SS 1LE: 2:54.8


Lightning Lap 2016: The Year's Hottest Performance Cars at VIR! – Feature – Car and Driver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pzz_E9fG88

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OcIXb_iemo

GT350R:

Class: LL2
Lap time: 2:51.8
Base price: $63,495
As-tested price: $66,495
526 hp • 3718 lb • 7.1 lb/hp
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
F: 305/30ZR-19 (98Y), R: 315/30ZR-19 (100Y)

So close. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R is less than a second slower than the Chevy Camaro Z/28 we lapped two years ago. But while the times are nearly identical, the experiences couldn’t be more different.

Next to the Z/28, which leaps over curbing and pounds the track into submission, the GT350R sops up the harsh stuff without upsetting the chassis or the driver. It’s 143 pounds lighter than the Z/28, its steering requires less muscle, and overall it comes across as more nimble and about three feet narrower. Ford’s high-revving DOHC 5.2-liter V-8 delivers torque more progressively and smoothly than the Chevy’s pushrod 7.0-liter small-block. On corner exits, it proves easier to get on the power sooner and harder without having to worry about overwhelming the rear tires.

But in Turn 1, the GT350 can’t match the Z/28’s grip, ceding a little bit of time to the Chevy. The Ford’s deficit grows in each subsequent sector, a couple of tenths here and there. The GT350 may be easier on the driver than the Z/28, but its Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires can’t match the grip of the Z/28’s Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R rubber. Unlike the Chevy Corvette Grand Sport’s Cup 2s, the Ford-spec Michelins seem to have more consistent grip from the first lap to the last, but they never deliver the race-rubber-like initial grip of the Vette’s tires, which tapers off after a couple of laps.

We’re still deeply in love with the GT350R. It’s a brilliant track car with a balanced chassis and inexhaustible brakes. We love that every time the throttle opens, it sounds as if a million tiny hammers were being fired into the exhaust. It might not have beaten the Z/28, but love isn’t always quantifiable.

SS 1LE:

Class: LL2
Lap time: 2:54.8
Base price: $44,400
As-tested price: $45,700
455 hp • 3743 lb • 8.2 lb/hp
Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3
F: 285/30ZR-20 (95Y), R: 305/30ZR-20 (99Y)

There’s nothing apparently exotic about a Chevy Camaro SS 1LE. It weighs 3743 pounds. It lacks carbon-ceramic brakes and a dual-clutch transmission. Carbon fiber? Not a strand. Turbos? Nope. A mid-engine V-8 that revs like a dentist drill? Not here. So what is this Camaro doing lapping right behind the Porsche Cayman GT4 and ahead of the Audi R8 V10 Plus?

It finds itself thusly positioned because, in the world of Camaros, the SS 1LE is indeed an exotic. The 1LE package brings magnetorheological dampers, stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, big 14.6-inch front brakes with six-piston calipers, and forged aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 rubber. Foreign supercars, beware; in Turn 1, the SS 1LE matches the 1.11 g’s of grip of the Ferrari 488GTB. In the uphill esses, the Camaro manages a higher average speed (121.6 mph) than the McLaren 570S.

The new Camaro behaves like the Z/28 we lapped two years ago, and most of its sector times are right on the heels of the Z/28’s, not to mention the cars in LL4 and LL5. It has the same supernatural grip and stability and the same super-accurate wheel control, but the 1LE isn’t as nervous as the Z/28. It doesn’t leap and skip over curbing as the Z/28 did, and in slow corners, such as Oak Tree and Bitch, the 1LE’s front end resists breaking free and just sticks. It’s only when the tires get hot and greasy that the Camaro will wag its tail or plow. Even then, it all happens in a progressive and nonthreatening manner.

Like the Cayman GT4, which is less than a second quicker, the SS 1LE lacks any bad dynamic habits. The body control, damping, brakes, and steering all feel right when the nose is aimed into the uphill esses at 129 mph. You’re left to curse the annoying sightlines and concentrate on quick shifts.

To look at the price, it’s clear the SS 1LE doesn’t know it’s not a bona fide exotic. We won’t tell if you won’t.
 

SleeperLS

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IMO, the only thing Ford wins with this current generation of muscle cars is the engine. They can easily make stupid amounts of power. Maybe add good visibility out of the vehicle to that list, but other than that it has been all Chevy and Dodge coming out on top with every other aspect of their cars. The new Camaros look absolutely fantastic on the road.
 

Rent Free

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And sales and aftermarket. Mustang destroys the other 2 in those areas.

Dat all yellow GT350 fap fap like my 5.0 but lots better. I actually like the all yellow GT350 and no stripes.

SS 1LE for under 46k i call bullshit. Try find a normal SS for under 46k they are very few and far inbetween.

To be fair good freaking luck finding a GT350R for $66495.

maybe a non R but a GT350R..... Nope. I call bullshit on that too.

remember ford just hiked the price like 7-8k on the 2017s due to "mandatory" option package arrangements.

Magazine article prices..... :picard: cool to see the comparison tho!
 

Rent Free

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Jan 26, 2015
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Have you looked recently? I see plenty listed for under retail, though they might be throwing in rebates that not everyone qualifies for, which is always a possibility.

Yes dealer here just sold a white with blue stripes GT350 for 58k rear seat delete and high back seats might have been a loaded one dont remember the options exactly on the sticker. But still go find a 6th gen normal SS under 45k good freaking luck.

The demand is falling out on these cars tho winter is coming and the dealer here in town is sitting on 4 hellcats too still almost 2 months since i noticed the orange and purple one outside. inside sits red and black ones too.

They need to keep coming down i want a gt350 so fucking bad and will do everything in my power to have one after this deployment.
 

TCG Member 5219

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Mar 22, 2005
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Yes dealer here just sold a white with blue stripes GT350 for 58k rear seat delete and high back seats might have been a loaded one dont remember the options exactly on the sticker. But still go find a 6th gen normal SS under 45k good freaking luck.

The demand is falling out on these cars tho winter is coming and the dealer here in town is sitting on 4 hellcats too still almost 2 months since i noticed the orange and purple one outside. inside sits red and black ones too.

They need to keep coming down i want a gt350 so fucking bad and will do everything in my power to have one after this deployment.

Ive been heavily looking into 2SS camaros, and they are being blown out with HUGE discounts. Sorry to say, but you can easily get $6k-$8k off sticker on those. Getting them for invoice, plus that GM red tag discount is like nothing now. Its mainly on the 2SS cars though. The 1SS cars are still selling like hot cakes. But dealers will straight suck your dick if you take a 2SS off their hands. I was looking at one a few days ago. Stickered for $47k, it was $44k OTD.
 

TCG Member 5219

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Mar 22, 2005
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ok still 7k over the 37k i paid for a loaded 5.0....

jist irratates me they are not closer in price.

Your car also probably stickered at $40k. I looked at a GT Premium with track pack and nav. Stickered at $41k. It was $38k OTD. Not a bad price for what you are getting but I just didnt want another mustang. Now that the GT350s can be had at sticker, thats still an option. But the camaros are still the best bang for your buck in terms of tech and performance. The challengers in the RT SCAT Pack config are pretty badass too with the 8speed auto. If mustang gets an 8 or 10 speed auto, and not a $10g price bump, I'd be in. But that old 6 speed auto is not on par with whats out now. And I really shouldnt get a manual again. The GT350 would be the exception because of what it is.
 

jason05gt

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Jan 17, 2007
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IMO, the only thing Ford wins with this current generation of muscle cars is the engine. They can easily make stupid amounts of power. Maybe add good visibility out of the vehicle to that list, but other than that it has been all Chevy and Dodge coming out on top with every other aspect of their cars. The new Camaros look absolutely fantastic on the road.

This is true for GM, Dodge isn't even close to Ford and GM in the pony car/sport car wars.

The S550 chassis doesn't seem to be equal to the GM's Alphas based on all of the reviews I've read. I haven't driven both back to back though. Chevy has certainly benefited from the Alpha platform development from Caddy.
 

Primalzer

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Sep 14, 2006
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Huh? thats the v8 1LE above^^

Yeah I know...they also tested the V6 1LE...and it was pretty damn quick for "only" being a V6

1 CONCEPT CAR 2016 Lexus RC F GT Concept 2:43.2
2 LL4 2016 Dodge Viper ACR 2:44.2
3 LL5 2016 Ferrari 488GTB 2:45.1
4 LL4 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2:47.0
5 LL3 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport 2:47.1
6 LL4 2016 McLaren 570S 2:47.4
7 LL4 2017 Acura NSX 2:50.2
8 LL2 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 2:51.8
9 LL4 2016 BMW M4 GTS 2:52.9
10 LL3 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 2:54.0
11 LL2 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE 2:54.8
12 LL4 2017 Audi R8 V-10 Plus 2:56.1
13 LL2 2016 BMW M2 3:01.9
14 LL4 2016 Jaguar F-type Project 7 3:02.2
15 LL3 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 3:03.5
16 LL2 2016 Ford Focus RS 3:03.9
17 LL1 2017 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE 3:04.0
18 LL3 2016 Lexus GS F 3:05.9
19 RACE CAR Copeland Motorsports Mazda MX-5 Miata Cup Car 3:06.4
20 LL2 2016 Audi TTS 3:07.7
21 ELECTRIC CAR 2015 Tesla Model S P85D 3:17.4
 
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