$96K Shelby Super Snake vs. $39K Camaro SS - Which is faster

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
9/15/2015

Whenever possible we try to give readers more than just the latest press release from GM. This week, GM's news release is the test results of the 2016 Camaro line. The news is impressive. First, the 1SS with its optional super-sticky 20-inch tires and automatic transmission can sprint from 0-60 MPH in 4-seconds flat. The quarter mile comes in just 12.3 seconds. Those are better numbers than 90% of all the supercars ever produced. Let's not forget the Lamborghini Countach was a mid-six-second car to sixty when it was on posters all over the world. However, the Camaro is not a car that is built to be the best supercar. It is built to be the best ponycar, so we have to look over at the Mustang to see how this new generation will stack up.

Luckily for us, Road & Track just tested the 2015 Shelby (Mustang) Super Snake*. It has someplace between 750 hp and 850 hp. The as-tested price of the car R&T tested was $96,716. Interestingly, it ran to sixty in 3.9 seconds and did the quarter mile in 12.3 seconds. Of course, these tuner Mustangs are all about track work and brakes matter a lot on a track (or on the road for that matter). Here the Mustang has a 113 foot stopping distance to the Camaro's 117 foot stop from 60 MPH.

 

I am lucky enough to have driven a couple high-priced tuner Mustangs at media days on track. What struck me was that in my hands (clumsy as they might be) the basic Mustang GT with its track pack always felt faster. Maybe it's not just me. Would you pay $56,000 more for a tenth of a second to sixty and a 3-foot shorter stop from 60?

 

* Road & Track - October 2015 issue, page 46.

Note: Image is a Ford Shelby GT350R

[MikeNH]

High power Mustangs have always struggled to put their power to use. Same story when R&T did a GT500 vs ZL1 a couple years ago. That massive HP advantage didn't translate into much.

[kstruckcountry]

What if you put some of that money into suspension, aero and boost on the SS? No contest.

[Spurshot]

Nothing taken away from the Camaros, but that new Mustang body really looks good to me. That said, I've been thinking about a SS for a commuter.

[MikeNH]

Nothing taken away from the Camaros, but that new Mustang body really looks good to me. That said, I've been thinking about a SS for a commuter.

 

They're growing on me too. The car mentioned in the article looks good and I saw a pair of GT350Rs during their test loop through town a month or so ago and they look badass.

[kstruckcountry]

Still looks like a fusion to me. Too euro for a muscle car.

[Spurshot]

Still looks like a fusion to me. Too euro for a muscle car.

Yeah, the standard models look Fusion-ish in the front to me too. That Shelby not so much

[Chris]

Yeah, the standard models look Fusion-ish in the front to me too. That Shelby not so much

I saw the front of the GT and thought King Cobra

[patriot]

Looks like it has a cold.

[The Zip]

My son took me for a ride in his new 6.2, sticky tires, lowered, and about 40 more HP than stock. He wanted to impress me so I put a dollar on the dash (he didn't know why), but I couldn't grab the dollar. I think it will outrun Ford's SS (Super Snake). So those with an extra 59K, buy the snake cause you like it.

 

 

That said, I've been thinking about a SS for a commuter.

 

His SS is terrible in the city, but owns California highways

[RyanbabZ71]

My son took me for a ride in his new 6.2, sticky tires, lowered, and about 40 more HP than stock. He wanted to impress me so I put a dollar on the dash (he didn't know why), but I couldn't grab the dollar. I think it will outrun Ford's SS (Super Snake). So those with an extra 59K, buy the snake cause you like it.

 

 

 

His SS is terrible in the city, but owns California highways

What did he do for the extra 40hp?

 

 

Ryan

[SILVER SLED]

Waiting to see what the new GT 350 can do. Not a big ford fan, but that thing sounds awesome.

[KMGZ400]

i need a replacment for my cruze... cant decide between and STI or an SS.... 0 to 60 in 4 sec? hmm

[SnakeEyeSS]

I bet if they both had slicks it would be a much different story.

[kstruckcountry]

i need a replacment for my cruze... cant decide between and STI or an SS.... 0 to 60 in 4 sec? hmm

STi and 1SS are both amazing values... Until it's snowing, raining, dirt, mud... Then the STi is on top.