THE NEVER ENDING STORY
It’s like déjà vu all over again, again. Yes, dear Motor Trend readers, it’s that special time of year when we trot out the latest pony cars from Detroit and figure out which one is best. For now. Because yes, we’ll do it again. Soon, too.
We’ve been doing this particular head-to-head challenge for 50 years, and you have never told us to stop. The occasion for this particular comparison test is Ford’s launch of the bigly refreshed 2018 Mustang. For the purposes of this story, we got our hands on the GT Performance Pack 1. Why not the recently announced P-Pack 2? Because Ford isn’t releasing it until May. Representing Chevrolet’s interests is the Camaro SS 1LE, unchanged since 2016. Both our tested cars came with a six-speed manual transmission, though the new Mustang is available with a 10-speed automatic.
Let’s first break down the carryover Camaro SS. The Chevy comes packing a stout 6.2-liter pushrod V-8 that pumps out 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. 1LE is Camaro code for a track-oriented option pack. All 1LE Camaros come with a black hood, black mirrors, blacked-out other bits, and a manual transmission. The SS 1LE gets Magnetic Ride Control, GM’s trick eLSD rearend and five levels of Performance Traction Management (aka PTM), Brembo brakes, and sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires. It also has a dual-mode exhaust and coolers for oil, the differential, and the
