Sixth-Generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs. Chevrolet Corvette C7 Grand Sport

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Chevrolet's brand new Camaro ZL1 maybe more of an improvement compared to the previous model but for a serious petrolhead who values power over everything else, this new model can be worth noticing it from the ground up. As a muscle car that focused more on power over everything else, the new ZL1 tries to balance its matter by giving it some track-honed manners to keep it serious on the road and track.

First and foremost, it's got the similar supercharged 6.2L V8 engine as seen on today's Corvette Z06, producing 650HP of power and same amount for torques, meaning this car gets some serious business on the road and on the track. Well, 650HP may not as powerful as the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which remains the undisputed king of V8 cars in the world, this engine makes the new ZL1 the most powerful Camaro ever made and while you can drive it in a more enjoyable 6-speed manual gearbox, it can now be offered with an available 10-speed automatic gearbox, which sounds like overkill on the gear ratios because there's never been a sportscar with a double-digit gearbox like this before and a car like this feels like it came straight from a Fast & Furious fantasy world where you have so many gears to shift while looking cool behind the wheel.

Although the new ZL1 comes with every track-honed dynamics as well as the Magnetic Ride Control suspension and standard electronic Limited-Slip Differential, driving this one on the track is challenging and it's made for the driver who demands more for a car that packs a lot of challenge at the very beginning. In other words, you need to be extra focused behind the wheel because with all that power on its rear wheels, a slight error can cost you very badly.

Of course, its challenging behavior can be somewhat best sum this new ZL1 up and for a car priced at 61,140 US Dollars, it's a lot more affordable to own compared to high-end luxury cars bearing the same power output like the McLaren 650S. But don't try to jump on this car just yet because while this is more affordable than Europe's expensive supercars, the new Zl1 can be very harsh to drive apart from its oversteering that upsets even the most skilled drivers. Yes, it can be very challenging to drive a car with so much power on it but what if you can tone it down for a little and make it more enjoyable?

2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

This is Chevrolet's equivalent of a Porsche 911 GT3. It's called the Grand Sport and starting at 65,450 US Dollars, this new version really balances the checkbooks of power and dynamics at the ideal pace. The 6.2L V8 engine may have 460HP of power output and same for the torques, which is less than the Camaro ZL1 and its more powerful Z06 but no matter because the Grand Sport features some of the most track-honed dynamics ever derived from the C7.R racing machine while promising the same heritage from past Grand Sport models.

Give this car a go round on a track and chances are that your quick response would be "Hey, how about those Republicans?" That's the basic way to explain the ideal version of America's favorite sports machine in a more humorous manner.. It maybe naturally aspirated and less powerful but the way it handles doesn't matter because while it's made to get quick lap times than the next car, the great thing about the new Grand Sport is the fun factor that keeps drivers coming back for more on the weekends.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible

2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible

In general, both the new Camaro ZL1 and the new Corvette Grand Sport are made to please the elephants in the room, not the donkeys because these cars are proudly an American revolution and these cars are made for specific purposes. For those who want to crave on power, there's the Camaro ZL1 but for a track-day performance that doesn't settle for anything else, there's the Corvette Grand Sport. These new machines will surely spice up Chevrolet's list of sportscars and for the elephants craving for more American muscle should look no further and even though they are offered with open-top equivalents with added weight compared to the hardtop equivalents, it's still the same issue that made them great...although it's not appropriate to use that word in today's climate.

Photo: General Motors