'15 GT PP vs. 1LE driven by Randy Pobst

[AustinSN]

Well the new M4 (coupe, old coupe was an M3) did Laguna Seca in 1:39.69, ZL1 1:39.18, GT500 1:38.70, Z/28 1:38.82. It appears the old M3 (2007) ran 1:42.96. The Mustang Boss 302 LS did 1:39.50 and the non LS did it in 1:41.06
LINK

So if the 2015 Mustang GT is faster than the Boss 302 LS (which I find highly suspect) then it would be faster than the new M4.

At VIR the fastest recorded lap time for the following Cars is as follows:
ZL1 2:52.38
1LE 2:58.34
SS 3:09.50 (this was a 2010 Camaro on the FE3 suspension, before GM revised all Camaro's to ride on FE4 in 2012)

GT500 2:58.48
Boss 302 LS 3:02.80
Mustang GT 3:08.60

BMW M3 (2007) 3:05.40

LINK

The VIR laps are a little wonky, having different drivers changes that quite a bit. 5 seconds in the ZL1 from the test engineer vs C&D. Also, I didn't really like the Boss 302 test vs the 1LE at that track because they used a chevy test driver in the 1LE vs an editor in the Boss 302 from what I read.

Also, the GT500 number you posted was a 2010, the 2013 with the car and driver editor was actually 2 seconds slower.

I wish we had another unbiased named driver for car to car. Randy is a good driver but some of the times he has posted seem really weird.. The F12 berlinetta according to Ferrari is the second fastest car they have ever built, only behind FLF but it's only .7 tenths quicker than the heavier, less track focused, less powerful, less tire and heavier GT500. The Berlinetta is usually quicker than the MP4-12C but in this case it's 4 seconds slower.

 

[BLUE OVAL NUT]

I have the same thoughts about the new 2015 GTPP.................435 hp 400 lb-ft ............. Should have been 450 plus !!!! Learned experience from the Boss 302 gave you plenty !! 0-60 mph in 3.9-4.0 sec 1/4 mile times of 12.3 @ 115 mph .................No better example than this S550 engineers !! I know a higher performance model is coming (maybe several but i want the standard GT to represent as well !!!

 

[Branhammer]

I have the same thoughts about the new 2015 GTPP.................435 hp 400 lb-ft ............. Should have been 450 plus !!!! Learned experience from the Boss 302 gave you plenty !! 0-60 mph in 3.9-4.0 sec 1/4 mile times of 12.3 @ 115 mph .................No better example than this S550 engineers !! I know a higher performance model is coming (maybe several but i want the standard GT to represent as well !!!

Well, from the dyno numbers coming out so far, it's looking like they ARE making about 450 hp (most are getting around 390rwhp).

 

[Z25OH]

Yes the Z28 outran the Nissan GTR (track pack ) BECAUSE OF THE TIRES . When the Nissan GTR had the same tires as the Z28 it killed it by 3 seconds a lap !

god THANK YOU.

And it got to run the track TWICE after they played with the tire pressure also.

 

[DSG2003SVT]

You two missed my point entirely. The Z28 and the 1LE aren't leaving much on the table for a completely stock RWD four seater car. For this reason, I don't think the alpha Camaro is going to show a massive improvement on the track over the current models. I wasn't saying that the GTR is a worse platform, but if you change the tires, it's not all stock any longer.

The Camaros come from the factory with better tires, so stock for stock, the Z28 was faster. Don't say you can't make excuses for the Mustang losing and then start making excuses for the GTR losing.

 

[Z25OH]

the mustang lost by a good margin to the 1le, its just a better car, period. The margin is indicative of much more than tires and dampening. The GTR 'lost" to the z28 by a .1 tenth or .2 if i remember, the Z28 coming equipped with trofeo R compound tires and race-proven, spool-valve dampers. Its topped out. Just swapping the R tires in alone shows that the GTR platform is leaps and bounds ahead of it. And it has MUCH MUCH room for suspension improvement. LOL i knew when that mag article came out people were going to think the z28 and the GTR were in the same league lol not saying you, i mean the masses

but yeah mustang got its shit pushed in by the bow tie! My buddy has a 1le and that car kicks ass

 

[DSG2003SVT]

I'm not sure the Mustang's platform is inferior. I'm also not so sure that shocks and tires wouldn't be enough for the GT the pull ahead of the 1LE. Those are the main weak points, and they can make up seconds per lap without question.

 

[01slowbra46]

Its still sad to think that a brand new design got beat by something thats been out so long. The new camaro is supposed to be quite a bit lighter than the current model, but we shall see. The 2015 mustang was supposed to be lighter, but of course they ruined that. Ford needs to make the mustang smaller, something similar to the fox(in size anyway). A 440 hp car @3300 lbs would be killer!

 

[BaylorCamaro]

The VIR laps are a little wonky, having different drivers changes that quite a bit. 5 seconds in the ZL1 from the test engineer vs C&D.

Oh I agree completely, unfortunatley those are the numbers we have to work with for VIR, anything else is speculation. Really the only "fair" comparison is to compare a car vs another car that has been driven on the same track with the same driver. In most cases this is Randy Pobst.

You two missed my point entirely. The Z28 and the 1LE aren't leaving much on the table for a completely stock RWD four seater car. For this reason, I don't think the alpha Camaro is going to show a massive improvement on the track over the current models.

I do not think the 6th gen will show MASSIVE improvement either. However, if the 6th gen does shed some weight as rumored AND GM sticks to just as good tires, there really is no reason to think the 6th gen won't get at least a little faster. Less weight is always going to show improvement on the track. Now whether that's 1 second or 0.1 seconds we won't know. However I think from the previous gen Mustang to the 2015 Mustang will show greater improvement than from the 5th gen Camaro to the 6th gen Camaro (which is what I think you were saying?)

A 440 hp car @3300 lbs would be killer!

That's called a Corvette

 

[Rotzs99]

However I think from the previous gen Mustang to the 2015 Mustang will show greater improvement than from the 5th gen Camaro to the 6th gen Camaro (which is what I think you were saying?)

I'm the opposite. The 6th gen will have the LT1 and I bet Chevy has listened to the hate Ford is receiving for not cutting the weight. Add the LT1 and subtract 200lbs and it wont look good for the Mustang. I still think Ford is sitting on something for their GT and will release it once the new Camaro comes out.

 

[manolith]

So the camaro will be lighter and it will have an lt1. I think that corvette guys will be Pissed.

 

[BaylorCamaro]

I'm the opposite. The 6th gen will have the LT1 and I bet Chevy has listened to the hate Ford is receiving for not cutting the weight. Add the LT1 and subtract 200lbs and it wont look good for the Mustang. I still think Ford is sitting on something for their GT and will release it once the new Camaro comes out.

So the camaro will be lighter and it will have an lt1. I think that corvette guys will be Pissed.

I think the 6th gen will, at best weigh ~37xx. That would be about 150-200 lb weight loss and I think those are very optimistic numbers. So it will have similar weight to the Mustang but have more power. I agree that will further increase the 6th gens ability over the 5th, I just don't think it will be earth shattering. Especially, God forbid GM puts narrower tires on it for whatever reason.

I do not think the Corvette guys will have anything to worry about. The Corvette is still going to be 300-400 lbs less, have better center of gravity, better chassis, better aero, etc.

 

[Rotzs99]

I think the 6th gen will, at best weigh ~37xx. That would be about 150-200 lb weight loss and I think those are very optimistic numbers. So it will have similar weight to the Mustang but have more power. I agree that will further increase the 6th gens ability over the 5th, I just don't think it will be earth shattering. Especially, God forbid GM puts narrower tires on it for whatever reason.

I do not think the Corvette guys will have anything to worry about. The Corvette is still going to be 300-400 lbs less, have better center of gravity, better chassis, better aero, etc.

True, corvettes will have nothing to worry about..

Nothing is earth shattering anymore besides power. Maybe it's time to bring back a lighter/smaller Mustang II under the S550

 

[SD_Stang]

After all the talk about a lighter, more powerful, better handling Mustang we got a heavier just as fast still getting beat by the 1LE in handling car. . I'm disappointed in the car. Interior was already better than the Camaros they improved in area's where it wasn't needed, interior for one and brakes (overly so) however did not equip the car with good rubber or dampers much like the 13-14 TP car. It should have gotten the GT500's electronic adjustable struts/shocks with 285/285 Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber. Instead of being 1.45 slower it would have been 1.45 faster than the 1LE.

 

[NametoShowOther]

After all the talk about a lighter, more powerful, better handling Mustang we got a heavier just as fast still getting beat by the 1LE in handling car. . I'm disappointed in the car. Interior was already better than the Camaros they improved in area's where it wasn't needed, interior for one and brakes (overly so) however did not equip the car with good rubber or dampers much like the 13-14 TP car. It should have gotten the GT500's electronic adjustable struts/shocks with 285/285 Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber. Instead of being 1.45 slower it would have been 1.45 faster than the 1LE.

You can always change the tires. The 2015 tires are better than the 2014 gt, not as good as the g500, but there are some more mustang models coming

 

[darreng505]

After all the talk about a lighter, more powerful, better handling Mustang we got a heavier just as fast still getting beat by the 1LE in handling car. . I'm disappointed in the car. Interior was already better than the Camaros they improved in area's where it wasn't needed, interior for one and brakes (overly so) however did not equip the car with good rubber or dampers much like the 13-14 TP car. It should have gotten the GT500's electronic adjustable struts/shocks with 285/285 Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber. Instead of being 1.45 slower it would have been 1.45 faster than the 1LE.

Well done. This sums it up nicely.

 

[mike69440]

Just can't get past this

Interior of a Camero has the otside view of a state pen jail sell and furniture is about as comfortable.

Both cars ar too heavy boned, ok Fat.

PP is a let down, GT sticker shock! Porche like option prices.

The GT350 better be good

 

[Budwise]

Yea I went and test drove a 1LE today and a ZL1. I was shocked at how bad the interior was and how poor the visibility was, the reviewers dont lie on that. Also the ZL1 was sooooo slow, I was blown away how doggish it was. The 1LE felt faster to me and I liked the precision of it but I could never get by the horrible interior and daily driveability. I was waiting to merge in traffic and actually felt stressed because I literally could not see a damn thing.

 

[ZYBORG]

The 1LE felt faster to me and I liked the precision of it but I could never get by the horrible interior and daily driveability. I was waiting to merge in traffic and actually felt stressed because I literally could not see a damn thing.

Im glad you test drove it. Interior is just like a mustangs, many different options and trim levels (entirely subjective stuff). Was it a 1SS, 2SS? What options did it have? While I agree it can be challenging to adjust to visibility and ergonomics, once you do, its an amazing machine. I sweated just like you described in the beginning but after about two weeks the car felt just as friendly in this area as a family sedan.

I take it you really liked its handling? Did you get the chance to push it a little?

 

[Voltwings]

After all the talk about a lighter, more powerful, better handling Mustang we got a heavier just as fast still getting beat by the 1LE in handling car. . I'm disappointed in the car. Interior was already better than the Camaros they improved in area's where it wasn't needed, interior for one and brakes (overly so) however did not equip the car with good rubber or dampers much like the 13-14 TP car. It should have gotten the GT500's electronic adjustable struts/shocks with 285/285 Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber. Instead of being 1.45 slower it would have been 1.45 faster than the 1LE.

Then everyone would get their panties in a knot about how much it cost at that point, and we'd be on the flip side of this argument.
"OMG, i cant believe the new mustang cost $$$$"
"Its cool though, it beat the 1LE"
"Whatever, give me a cheaper car and i'll put my own suspension and tires on."

There is no one mustang that will make everyone happy, Some people are content with a platform with which to build off of, and some people want a lambo killer for sub $40k.