Flash Back Friday
OverDrive is an auto-blog all about the newest and most desirable cars on the market today. If you are even remotely interested in automobiles, this is the blog for you. Reviews, Head2Heads, and commentary from sports cars to sport utility vehicles are all here.
To start Over Drive off right, I've reached back to a cult classic. I think you know where I'm going. That's right, Chevy versus Ford. Camaro versus Mustang. This iconic rivalry is reborn for 2011 with Ford unveiling its brand new 5.0 V-8. Wait, but that's not all, Ford has also ditched its sluggish and dated 4.0 liter V-6 in favor of a brand new 3.7 liter V-6 putting out over 300 horsepower at the crankshaft. Oh wait, did I mention its the first car ever to produce over 300 bhp and achieve over 30 mpg? Ford has achieved the power of a muscle car with the fuel economy of an econobox. Its truly an engineering marvel.
However, not to be outdone, Chevrolet has upped its V-6 power plant as well, from 304 to 312 bhp respectively. The Camaro V-8 on the other hand blasts out 426 horsepower, which is 14 more than the Ford. This Chevy is no slouch by any means. However, when compared to the Ford, things start to go downhill. Even with the Ford's ancient rear suspension, its tighter and stiffer ride give it a higher skidpad rating through the corners. Even though the Chevy has the upper hand when it comes to the stallions under the hood, the Ford has it beat at the drag strip as well. It all comes down to pounds, or as it's known in America, McDonald's. Picture this scenario, you pull up to a stoplight in your brand new 2011 Mustang GT, and what rides up next to you? That would be a 2010 Camaro SS. Engines revving, the light turns green and a third of those brand new Goodyears' are vaporized in a cloud of smoke. With one shift of the 6-speed manual (both cars come with one standard), you're already at 40 and look in your rearview mirror to see the Camaro falling behind. But you say to yourself, "how can this be? The Camaro has more power and more power means you win every time right? and cure cancer? Sure. What about world peace? That's a gimme. Well no, more power is not the cure for everything. This battle comes down to weight. When the Mustang pulls ahead, the driver of the Camaro swears at himself for just gorging on those two Big Macs. All that burger slowed his car down.
Okay well, this is not exactly true. Eating two Big Mac's will not cause you to win or lose a race. But you get the point right? Weight matters. And when it comes to pounds the Mustang is like a lean greyhound, where the Camaro comes in weighing like a hog. Not even the 14 horsepower advantage can cure the massive curb weight of the Camaro. So, sorry Chevy guys, until your girl loses some pounds, you'll be eating Mr. Ford's burnt rubber for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Well, round 1 goes to the Ford, so let's now move on to the interior quality. When purchasing a muscle car, interiors have traditionally been more about function than form, but these two cars erase that belief. Both of these interiors take a different path to the same destination. Ford's interior is more traditional and laid back, with a layout that is both pretty and functional. The Chevy, on the other hand, takes a drastically different approach to its interior. The cockpit looks like it's been lifted right out of a space ship, albeit with a few retro flares. The Chevy goes more for drastic looks than a luxurious interior. Its retro floor gauges bring back nostalgic memories of Camaro's of old, while its gun slit windows evoke a new age for the brand.
Unfortunately for Camaro fans, things go downhill from here. The interior harbors hard plastics all around and when compared to the Ford, it just seems cheaper. The Mustang interior, on the other hand, is crisp and even though it uses plastics, the Mustang engineers make it work and make it seems more luxurious. Round 2 goes to the Ford as well.
So if you're looking for a new age muscle car that does everything well, go for the Ford. The only reason I can think to buy a Camaro would be if you absolutely love the look of it, or you just haven't been in a Mustang lately.
More auto tips and reviews coming soon.
NFS
However, not to be outdone, Chevrolet has upped its V-6 power plant as well, from 304 to 312 bhp respectively. The Camaro V-8 on the other hand blasts out 426 horsepower, which is 14 more than the Ford. This Chevy is no slouch by any means. However, when compared to the Ford, things start to go downhill. Even with the Ford's ancient rear suspension, its tighter and stiffer ride give it a higher skidpad rating through the corners. Even though the Chevy has the upper hand when it comes to the stallions under the hood, the Ford has it beat at the drag strip as well. It all comes down to pounds, or as it's known in America, McDonald's. Picture this scenario, you pull up to a stoplight in your brand new 2011 Mustang GT, and what rides up next to you? That would be a 2010 Camaro SS. Engines revving, the light turns green and a third of those brand new Goodyears' are vaporized in a cloud of smoke. With one shift of the 6-speed manual (both cars come with one standard), you're already at 40 and look in your rearview mirror to see the Camaro falling behind. But you say to yourself, "how can this be? The Camaro has more power and more power means you win every time right? and cure cancer? Sure. What about world peace? That's a gimme. Well no, more power is not the cure for everything. This battle comes down to weight. When the Mustang pulls ahead, the driver of the Camaro swears at himself for just gorging on those two Big Macs. All that burger slowed his car down.
Okay well, this is not exactly true. Eating two Big Mac's will not cause you to win or lose a race. But you get the point right? Weight matters. And when it comes to pounds the Mustang is like a lean greyhound, where the Camaro comes in weighing like a hog. Not even the 14 horsepower advantage can cure the massive curb weight of the Camaro. So, sorry Chevy guys, until your girl loses some pounds, you'll be eating Mr. Ford's burnt rubber for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Well, round 1 goes to the Ford, so let's now move on to the interior quality. When purchasing a muscle car, interiors have traditionally been more about function than form, but these two cars erase that belief. Both of these interiors take a different path to the same destination. Ford's interior is more traditional and laid back, with a layout that is both pretty and functional. The Chevy, on the other hand, takes a drastically different approach to its interior. The cockpit looks like it's been lifted right out of a space ship, albeit with a few retro flares. The Chevy goes more for drastic looks than a luxurious interior. Its retro floor gauges bring back nostalgic memories of Camaro's of old, while its gun slit windows evoke a new age for the brand.
Unfortunately for Camaro fans, things go downhill from here. The interior harbors hard plastics all around and when compared to the Ford, it just seems cheaper. The Mustang interior, on the other hand, is crisp and even though it uses plastics, the Mustang engineers make it work and make it seems more luxurious. Round 2 goes to the Ford as well.
So if you're looking for a new age muscle car that does everything well, go for the Ford. The only reason I can think to buy a Camaro would be if you absolutely love the look of it, or you just haven't been in a Mustang lately.
More auto tips and reviews coming soon.
NFS
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