Camaro ZL1 vs Shelby GT500: supercharged V8 coupés
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
Chevrolet · 2016–2024
Camaro ZL1
Price from €56,134 (2016)
- Power
- 485 kW659 PS
- Top speed
- 319 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,760 kg
Ford · 2020–2022
Shelby GT500
- Power
- 567 kW771 PS
- Top speed
- —
- Kerb mass
- 1,992 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
- Performance Shelby GT500 Power per tonne: 285 kW/t vs 276 kW/t
Verdict Opinion
The Shelby GT500 is the stronger straight-line car. Its 567 kW Predator V8 gives it 82 kW more than the Chevrolet, and the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox helps it to a quicker 0–60 mph claim than the ZL1.
The Camaro ZL1 is the more flexible package. It offers a manual gearbox, more torque, a higher top speed and, in the 1LE, a proven track car with a 7:16.04 Nordschleife time. For drivers who want to change gear themselves, it is the only one of the two that allows it.
— Felix Hartmann
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 were the most powerful versions of the last front-engined pony car generations from Detroit. The sixth-generation ZL1 arrived in 2017 with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8. Ford unveiled its answer, the S550-based Shelby GT500, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2019. Both are now out of production: Ford ended the GT500 in 2022, and the sixth-generation Camaro ended on 14 December 2023.
In short: the GT500 has more power and a quick-shifting dual-clutch gearbox, while the ZL1 offers a manual, more torque and a lighter track version in the 1LE. Both cars are in our catalogue: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Shelby GT500.
Camaro ZL1 vs Shelby GT500: engines, gearboxes and track versions
Two supercharged V8s
The ZL1 uses the LT4, a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 rated at 485 kW (650 hp) and 881 Nm (650 lb-ft). Ford's GT500 uses the hand-built 5.2-litre "Predator" V8, an aluminium-block engine with a cross-plane crankshaft and a 2.65-litre Roots-type supercharger. It produces 567 kW (760 hp) at 7,300 rpm and 847 Nm at 5,000 rpm. The Ford has 82 kW more; the Chevrolet has 34 Nm more torque from a larger engine.
- Camaro ZL1: 6.2 V8 LT4, 485 kW, 881 Nm, manual or 10-speed automatic
- Shelby GT500: 5.2 V8 Predator, 567 kW, 847 Nm, 7-speed dual-clutch
- Top speed: ZL1 319 km/h, GT500 290 km/h
Gearboxes
This is the clearest difference for buyers. Chevrolet sold the ZL1 with a six-speed manual with rev matching or a newly developed 10-speed automatic. The GT500 uses Tremec's TR-9070 seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Ford buyers who wanted a manual Shelby had to choose the GT350, whose 5.2-litre Voodoo V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft gave 392 kW (526 hp) through a Tremec manual.
Performance claims
Chevrolet quotes 3.5 seconds from 0 to 60 mph for the ZL1 and an official top speed of 319 km/h (198 mph). Ford quotes 3.3 seconds to 60 mph for the GT500 and a top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph). So the Ford is quicker off the line on paper, while the Chevrolet runs on to a higher maximum.
Track packages
The ZL1 1LE, introduced in 2017, adds aerodynamic parts that create 136 kg of downforce at 150 mph, lighter 19-inch wheels and adjustable Multimatic dampers, and saves about 27 kg against the 1,760 kg standard ZL1. In 2017 a ZL1 1LE lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 16.04 seconds, 13.6 seconds faster than the regular ZL1. Ford's equivalent is the GT500 Carbon Fiber Track Pack, which fits Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
Size
Our catalogue lists the ZL1 at 4,783 mm long, 1,897 mm wide and 1,349 mm high on a 2,812 mm wheelbase. The GT500 is listed at 1,946 mm wide; its other dimensions are not in the sources used here.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | Camaro ZL1 | Shelby GT500 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | S · 760 | S · 781 |
| Power | 81 | 82 |
| Grip | 64 | 61 |
| Handling | 70 | 69 |
| Top speed | 84 | 100 |
| Launch | 64 | 67 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time — the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 Shelby GT500Shelby GT500 · GT500 5.2 V8 S/C · petrol · 567 kW (771 PS) 11.97 sat 216 km/h
- 2 Camaro ZL1ZL1 6.2 V8 (LT4) · petrol · 485 kW (659 PS) 12.45 sat 206 km/h · +0.48 s
Size and weight
| Camaro ZL1 | Shelby GT500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 1,897 mm74.7 in | 1,946 mm76.6 in +49 mm +1.9 in +2.6% |
| Kerb weight | 1,760 kg3,880 lb | 1,992 kg4,392 lb +232 kg +511 lb +13.2% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Tight | No data |
Difference vs Camaro ZL1 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | ZL1 6.2 V8 (LT4) · petrol · 485 kW (659 PS) | Shelby GT500 · GT500 5.2 V8 S/C · petrol · 567 kW (771 PS) |
| Production years | 2016–2024 | 2020–2022 |
| Body | Coupe | Coupe |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 485 kW (659 PS) 650 hp | 567 kW (771 PS) 760 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 485 kW (659 PS) 650 hp | 250–567 kW (340–771 PS) 335–760 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 881 Nm 650 lb-ft Better | 847 Nm 625 lb-ft |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 319 km/h 198 mph | No data |
| Power per tonne | 276 kW/t 335 hp/ton calculated | 285 kW/t 346 hp/ton calculated Better |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 6,162 cc · 8 cyl 6.2 l | 5,200 cc · 8 cyl 5.2 l |
| Engine code | LT4 | No data |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm 188.3 in | No data |
| Width | 1,897 mm 74.7 in | 1,946 mm 76.6 in |
| Height | 1,349 mm 53.1 in | No data |
| Wheelbase | 2,812 mm 110.7 in | No data |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,760 kg 3,880 lb Better | 1,992 kg 4,392 lb |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| CO₂ | 358 g/km Better | 399 g/km |
| Price | ||
| Price | from €56,134 (2016) | No data |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (4): Body, Country, Fuel, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
In plain words
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has more power: 567 kW (771 PS) against 485 kW (659 PS) for Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is lighter by 232 kg (1,760 kg vs 1,992 kg). Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the older design (from 1967); Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 arrived in 2016. On the catalog figures, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the pick for performance.
Which one to choose
Choose the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 if you want a six-speed manual, the highest torque figure, a 319 km/h top speed or the track-focused 1LE.
Choose the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 if maximum power and the fastest acceleration matter most, and a dual-clutch automatic suits the way you drive. If you want a manual Ford, look at the GT350.
The Camaro ZL1 also meets Dodge's drag-strip special in Camaro ZL1 vs Challenger SRT Demon, and the two pony cars meet across generations in Chevrolet Camaro vs Ford Mustang.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more powerful, the ZL1 or the GT500?
The GT500, with 567 kW (760 hp) from its 5.2-litre supercharged V8. The ZL1's 6.2-litre LT4 produces 485 kW (650 hp) but more torque: 881 Nm against 847 Nm.
Is there a manual gearbox?
Only in the Camaro. The ZL1 came with a six-speed manual with rev matching or a 10-speed automatic; the 2020–2022 GT500 used a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Which one is faster?
The GT500 accelerates harder, with 3.3 seconds to 60 mph against 3.5 seconds for the ZL1. The ZL1 has the higher top speed: 319 km/h against 290 km/h.
What is the ZL1 1LE?
A track package from 2017 with extra aerodynamics, adjustable Multimatic dampers and lighter wheels. It lapped the Nürburgring in 7:16.04 and weighs about 1,730 kg.
Are they still in production?
No. Ford ended the GT500 in 2022, and production of the sixth-generation Camaro ended on 14 December 2023.