GM Hints Chevy Camaro Could Catch Ford Mustang V-6's Horsepower Rating for 2011
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GM Hints Chevy Camaro Could Catch Ford Mustang V-6's Horsepower Rating for 2011
GM Hints Chevy Camaro Could Catch Ford Mustang V-6's Horsepower Rating for 2011
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By Zach Gale
March 22, 2010
Link to article
By Zach Gale
March 22, 2010
In the ongoing muscle car war between the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, Ford's upcoming 2011 V-6 pony car appears to have the advantage, boasting better fuel economy and more horsepower than Chevy's V-6 contender. Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette marketing manager John Fitzpatrick hinted to us today that the entry-level Mustang's horsepower lead may be short-lived.
When specifications on the 2011 Mustang were released, after noting the startling fuel economy improvement of the V-6 car to 19/31 mpg city/highway, we found it amusing that the car's new 3.7-liter unit made exactly one horsepower more than the 3.6-liter, 304-horsepower V-6 Camaro.
We asked Fitzpatrick whether Chevrolet would respond to the numbers challenge (the 2010 Camaro V-8's 426 horsepower already trumps the 2011 Mustang's 412 horsepower) in the next couple years. He told us, "you might see it sooner than that," noting that details on the new 2011 Camaro will arrive in a few weeks.
"It's really great to see [Ford] stepping up their game," Fitzpatrick said, explaining that he believes Ford used the Camaro as a benchmark.
There's nothing like a little friendly competition between rival automakers, but last week, we told you about a report that suggested the Camaro could cause a little competition within Chevy ranks, taking buyers away from Corvette -- a vehicle that has seen dwinding sales over the course of 2009. Ward's Auto used its Web site metrics to assert that the Camaro is the Corvette's most cross-shopped competitor, but General Motors research shows a different conclusion. According to Fitzpatrick, less than three percent of Camaro sales were from those interested in the Corvette.
The Corvette is far from the only sporty two-door that saw diminished sales last year. "We are very much aware the car needs some refreshing," Fitzpatrick says. No doubt, GM is counting on special models like the Grand Sport and Z06 Carbon to help retain interest up in the model, for now.
GM believes the Camaro and Corvette cater to different types of customers. What's arguably more important is whether the Camaro will be capable of keeping its sales lead now that the 2011 Mustang is on the cusp of leveling the playing field in terms of power and fuel economy.
When specifications on the 2011 Mustang were released, after noting the startling fuel economy improvement of the V-6 car to 19/31 mpg city/highway, we found it amusing that the car's new 3.7-liter unit made exactly one horsepower more than the 3.6-liter, 304-horsepower V-6 Camaro.
We asked Fitzpatrick whether Chevrolet would respond to the numbers challenge (the 2010 Camaro V-8's 426 horsepower already trumps the 2011 Mustang's 412 horsepower) in the next couple years. He told us, "you might see it sooner than that," noting that details on the new 2011 Camaro will arrive in a few weeks.
"It's really great to see [Ford] stepping up their game," Fitzpatrick said, explaining that he believes Ford used the Camaro as a benchmark.
There's nothing like a little friendly competition between rival automakers, but last week, we told you about a report that suggested the Camaro could cause a little competition within Chevy ranks, taking buyers away from Corvette -- a vehicle that has seen dwinding sales over the course of 2009. Ward's Auto used its Web site metrics to assert that the Camaro is the Corvette's most cross-shopped competitor, but General Motors research shows a different conclusion. According to Fitzpatrick, less than three percent of Camaro sales were from those interested in the Corvette.
The Corvette is far from the only sporty two-door that saw diminished sales last year. "We are very much aware the car needs some refreshing," Fitzpatrick says. No doubt, GM is counting on special models like the Grand Sport and Z06 Carbon to help retain interest up in the model, for now.
GM believes the Camaro and Corvette cater to different types of customers. What's arguably more important is whether the Camaro will be capable of keeping its sales lead now that the 2011 Mustang is on the cusp of leveling the playing field in terms of power and fuel economy.
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From: Tallanasty, FL
My thoughts exactly....If Chevy could pull a rabbit out of their hat and all of a sudden get 32 or even better 33mpg now THAT would be something!
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From: Ballwin, MO
Wow. 1 horsepower is really throwing down the gauntlet, and is it worth catching. The premise of this article is fairly pointless. Maintaining power and increasing the mileage as suggested later will sell a lot more cars.
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From: Knoxville, TN
Note that nobody mentioned weight nor power-to-weight....likely because the general public only sees "xx more HP" than whatever it is being compared against, and thus automatically assumes "faster".
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doesnt the camaro v6 have 304hp? and the mustang v6 has 305? why is it such a big deal to see that the camaro may get 1-2 hp increase? and will it even matter other than bragging rights?
isnt this coming from the car that gm was pushing as such a fuel effiecint car too? so were just going to throw all of those commercials bragging about the mpg, out the window and now start marketing the car as 1 hp more than the mustang v6???? im lost here.
isnt this coming from the car that gm was pushing as such a fuel effiecint car too? so were just going to throw all of those commercials bragging about the mpg, out the window and now start marketing the car as 1 hp more than the mustang v6???? im lost here.
Last edited by 2010_5thgen; Mar 24, 2010 at 07:25 AM.
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But I also think that GM didn't bring it up becaue they don't want to talk about it. They know the Camaro is fat. And they know there's not a damn thing they can do about it, short of a total redesign on a new platform.
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Wow, we actually get a horsepower war between GM and Ford and a bunch of wet blankets have to come out? Tough room. Do you have any concept how good this is for the performance car industry in general? This is good stuff - even on the base engine. Because seriously, when Ford announces it beat GM by 1 HP, that is a shot across the bow, or a slap in the face with the glove. GM had to respond, and they will, and Ford will most likely respond too. This is great stuff!
The fact that we are even talking about horsepower in an era where the government has nearly un-meetable MPG targets coming our way just makes me think how lucky we are. Nice to know that there are some people out there, though, that can always find a darkside to the best news! I personally think that GM saying they will beat Ford makes for great cars on both sides, and we should be glad that each side cares enough about the competition to one-up them - even it if it is on the most mundane thing.
So have a great day today, unless all you can see is that cloud on the horizon.
-Geoff
The fact that we are even talking about horsepower in an era where the government has nearly un-meetable MPG targets coming our way just makes me think how lucky we are. Nice to know that there are some people out there, though, that can always find a darkside to the best news! I personally think that GM saying they will beat Ford makes for great cars on both sides, and we should be glad that each side cares enough about the competition to one-up them - even it if it is on the most mundane thing.
So have a great day today, unless all you can see is that cloud on the horizon.
-Geoff