Camaro Z/28 is Motor Trend’s Best Driver’s Car

[pgviper]

9/25/2014

DETROIT –Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is Motor Trend’s 2014 Best Driver’s Car. It’s the first American-brand car to win the 7-year-old award.

The Best Driver’s Car contenders are selected from all new or significantly revised performance cars launched in the 12 months prior to the test. To pick the winner, the editors of Motor Trend conduct objective and subjective testing – including digitally instrumented laps at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and high-speed driving up and down a 4.3-mile hill climb on a closed rural highway – to determine which car delivers the most engaging experience behind the wheel.

After completing that battery of tests, the editors of Motor Trend wrote:

“The transformation of the fifth-generation Camaro from ‘muscle car that handles pretty well’ to Best Driver’s Car winner is astounding. You feel the superior engineering in how the car responds to inputs both internal and external. From within, the car reacts immediately and precisely to your commands but doesn’t punish your mistakes. From the outside, the Z/28’s suspension attacks bumps and dips with an unbridled passion for keeping the tires on the pavement.”

Previous winners of Motor Trend’s Best Driver Car award were:

2007 Porsche 911 GT3
2008 Audi R8
2009 Porsche Cayman S
2011 Ferrari 458 Italia
2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 2S
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
“The mission for the new Z/28 was to create the most capable, best-handling Camaro in our history,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors’ executive vice president, Global Product Development. “As such, I can’t think of a better validation of that mission than for the Z/28 to be named Motor Trend’s Best Driver’s Car.”

The Camaro Z/28 builds on the legacy of the original SCCA Trans Am-series contender introduced in 1967. Its unique exterior is designed like a race car to produce downforce that presses the car against the track for greater grip and faster lap times. Comprehensive chassis and suspension changes, including a lower center of gravity, specific stabilizer bars, higher-rate coil springs and other chassis and suspension features have been optimized for the track – enabling more than 1.08 g in lateral acceleration and 1.5 g in deceleration.

Racing-bred dampers, tires and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes play important roles in not only maximizing performance, but making it more predictable and consistent with every lap. Engineers also made sure the Z/28 was as light as possible to maximize its power-to-weight ratio. Everything from lightweight wheels to thinner rear-window glass is used to reduce curb weight and improve the overall weight balance. The carbon ceramic brake rotors, for example, collectively save more than 20 pounds of unsprung weight, compared to the Camaro SS.

In fact, 100 percent of the unsprung mass – suspension, wheels, tires and brake system – has been changed from the Camaro SS, dramatically enhancing the balance and overall driving feel of the Z/28.

A 7.0L LS7 V-8 rated at 505 horsepower (376 kW) and 481 lb-ft of torque (652 Nm) complements the lightweight vehicle components to give the car an enviable 7.6:1 power-to-weight ratio. It was bred on the racetrack, with features designed for high-rpm performance and durability, including a durable forged-steel crankshaft, lightweight titanium connecting rods and high-flow cylinder heads with lightweight titanium intake valves.

VIDEO:

Chevrolet coverage found here:
http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/...otortrend.html

[TSM330i]

WOW! Very impressive!

M4 had a strong showing.

NISMO is a joke. 2 seconds slower than either the ZR1 or Viper. Sorry, still not believing the 'Ring time is legit.

[swanson]

[fecurtis]

Figured the Z/28 would take top honors, thing is a purebred track machine. Shit even a radio isn't standard.

[jbraslins]

Bah. I'd take a C7, 911 or M4 any day over the Camaro. Don't get it.

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by jbraslins

Bah. I'd take a C7, 911 or M4 any day over the Camaro. Don't get it.

Have you ever test drove one?

[jbraslins]

Originally Posted by pgviper

Have you ever test drove one?

Not z28 of course. But I drove regular SS. Regardless of performance/handling etc, the styling, interior and low cockpit visibility just kill it for me. I also can't stop thinking what would C7 or M4 on r-comps of that size be like.

[Vervain]

Best Driver's Car Overall Ranking:

1. Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 (1:37:82)
2. Alfa Romeo 4C (1:43:78)
3. Porsche 911 Turbo S (1:35:62)
4. Nissan GT-R Nismo (1:35:51)
5. BMW M4 (1:39:69)
6. Ford Fiesta ST (1:51:25)
7. Subaru WRX STi (1:47:16)
8. BMW i8 (1:44:29)
9. Jaguar F-Type Coupe R (1:42:01)
10. VW Golf GTI (1:50:11)

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by jbraslins

Not z28 of course. But I drove regular SS. Regardless of performance/handling etc, the styling, interior and low cockpit visibility just kill it for me. I also can't stop thinking what would C7 or M4 on r-comps of that size be like.

Ok, I was just curious. I'm sure plenty of the aesthetics for the interior along with the visibility are the same as the SS but as many have said, the z/28 is a car who is greater than the sum of its parts. I don't think a C7 or M4 would give you the type of driving generated by the z/28 with just a set of square 305 Trofeo tires.

[TSM330i]

Okay, just stop the debate about the tires already. If you want to read plenty of back-and-forths about the tires, go to the C&D Lightning Lap thread. It's been beaten to death and back again. There is another test out there that compares the R-comps of the Pirelli's comparing to the Goodyears from the 1LE (which are much smaller than the Pirelli's) and the Z/28 still performed VERY well. It's a complete package, not just tires.

This comparison is NOT only about the track. It's how it gets down a country road as well. I read the entire article and MT stated that the suspension on the Z/28 is far superior to most anything else.

MT quote:"Most important, you feel the superior engineering in how the car responds to inputs both internal and external. From within, the car reacts immediately and precisely to your commands but doesn't punish you for minor mistakes. From the outside, the Z/28's suspension attacks bumps and dips with an unbridled passion for keeping the tires on the pavement. Yes, the ride is very stiff and you feel every one of those bumps, but they don't unsettle the car and they don't test your nerve. Says Lieberman vis-à-vis bumps, "One and done." In fact, it feels as though the car is bowling right through the bumps and actively flattening the road as it goes, as if the car is punishing the road for punishing you.

[Billup]

I don't care, this is badass. Props to Chevy, this is a huge feat for them.


I probably wouldn't buy one personally, but I am glad they put out something like this to compete against the Euros.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by TSM330i

Okay, just stop the debate about the tires already. If you want to read plenty of back-and-forths about the tires, go to the C&D Lightning Lap thread. It's been beaten to death and back again. There is another test out there that compares the R-comps of the Pirelli's comparing to the Goodyears from the 1LE (which are much smaller than the Pirelli's) and the Z/28 still performed VERY well. It's a complete package, not just tires.

This comparison is NOT only about the track. It's how it gets down a country road as well. I read the entire article and MT stated that the suspension on the Z/28 is far superior to most anything else.

Thank you!

This test is about what car provides the best emotional driving experience. The lap times are nearly irrelevant.

If people would take time to read or watch the full test. The tires really played no part into their decision as to why it won out of the group.

[hellrotm]

It is really unfortunate to see some peoples attitude towards a car like this. As a car enthusiast, I get the Z/28. I am so glad car companies are taking leaps and producing cars like this. I mean come on, this a factory car with 305 square setup. How cool is that! As an enthusiast I hope manufacturers continue to build hardcore versions of their cars, it is only good thing. So happy it is getting the praise it deserves, the latest from Chris Harris.

[jbraslins]

Fine. You made me feel guilty about my comments. Go Camaro!

[jkrig]

Also curious they found the i8's turbo 3 (albeit fake'ish) sounded better than the M4....

[Vigilante375]

I love the Z/28 but it wouldn't be something I would own to drive. I hate the interior and other things about the 5th gen. It looks good on the outside but the interior is bleh. Its like a C5 vette. Exterior is awesome but interior is a freaking disappointment.

It is a very very good car and Chevy did an awesome job with it but I'd rather have something else. The only place it shines is on the road course/twisties and how many times will you be pushing it to its limits? Exactly. Not all the time but it is nice to know it handles very well.

Its is funny how everything thinks its only about the tires. Even the ZL1 nutswingers say that and to put the Z/28 tires on the ZL1 and it'll outperform it.....yea, keep dreaming. Tires do factor in but if the suspension isn't made to work with those tires or just isn't setup correctly at all, then it doesn't matter what tires it has.

[PLCZ4MC]

I wonder if the 458 special and the 650 spider would it been in this year motor trend best driver car the result would it been different.

[DieGrüneHölle]

I have no doubt a 650S, 458 Speciale, or GT3 would have won the test. If they could have gotten any of those cars. But that doesn't take away from how great the Z28 is and shows the test isn't rigged like some have been insinuating.

The 650S just won 2014 Auto Express Performance Car of the Year. Over the new GT3.

[son_of_siggy]

Anyone notice the I8 catch air around the 5 minute mark?

Edit: Just watched past that and they call it out as part of the video . . .

[PLCZ4MC]

Wow the 918 Spyder at the end makes all the other 10 look like little toys.
Motor Trend should make a best hyper car of 2014 XD

[Petros]

Originally Posted by PLCZ4M

Wow the 918 Spyder at the end makes all the other 10 look like little toys.
Motor Trend should make a best hyper car of 2014 XD

it also costs as much as all those 10 other toys combined.

[ShocknAwe]

Know what I've been thinking lately when reading car mag articles?

What if both cars were presented with the same weight/size wheels and the same tires?

The Z/28 is no doubt, an amazing car, it is equipped (standard) with excellent lightweight wheels and excellent r-comp tires, and the wheels are sprayed with a gritty coating around the barrel to provide better grip between the wheel and the tire. A lot of similar cars are not graced with this caliber of wheel/tire combo and it makes it hard for me to think seriously about these reviews knowing as an enthusiast I would be changing it all immediately to better kit if the tires suck.