SVT chief: The Boss 302 was the motivation for the 2013 Shelby GT500, not the Camaro ZL1
Source: www.MustangsDaily.com
http://mustangsdaily.com/blog/2011/12/05/svt-boss-the-boss-302-was-the-motivation-for-the-2013-shelby-gt500-not-the-camaro-zl1/

The announcement of the 2013 Shelby GT500 at the L.A. Auto Show caused various reactions throughout the automotive community. Mustang fans, of course, were ecstatic to see a production Mustang with 650 horsepower capable of 200 mph. Others, like Al Oppenheiser, the chief engineer of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, had a different perspective. After the Shelby’s debut, Oppenheiser wrote a letter to the Camaro Nation claiming that the “2013 GT500 will still not match the technology and sophistication of the 2012 Camaro ZL1.” He took it another step further, saying “for Mustang fans, you’re welcome. Clearly the Camaro has encouraged Ford to throw everything they can at us.”

That’s not the case, according to Jamal Hameedi, the SVT chief nameplate engineer. At the L.A. Auto Show Hameedi informed us that the increased performance of the 2013 GT500 was not inspired by the Camaro ZL1 but rather to stay a step ahead of the Mustang Boss 302. When we asked whether the Camaro ZL1 influenced the development of the 2013 GT500, he quickly responded by saying “surprisingly not because when we launched this program it was in the darkest days of the automotive industry. Everyone had said the ZL1 program was canceled. So actually when we kicked this program off the ZL1 was canceled at the time.” Rather, Hameedi informed us that SVT realized that additional performance was required of the GT500 during Ford’s development and testing of the Boss 302. “We wanted to make a big step in performance,” he told us. “We didn’t just want to just make a marginal step.”

This isn’t too surprising, considering the Boss 302′s straight line performance is fairly close to that of the 2012 Shelby GT500. Motor Trend achieved a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds flat in a Boss 302, a nearly identical time to what a GT500 is capable of producing, and a stock Boss 302 has produced 1/4 mile times well into the 11s with just a set of drag radials.

Somehow I don't think the words "Camaro" and "sophistication" fit in the same sentence.  I guess I'll make a decision when I get to see a ZL1 in person.

I think the GT500 will be a far better car in many ways, the suspension on the Camaro is what they continue to refer to as it is amazing.

Read the full write up on the throw down between fords GT500 and the ZR-1 they told chevy to bring the ZR-1 to the Nurburgring for a real challenge the camaro is not a challenge for it.

Where is the article at, even the " Ring " times I heard for the 2013 were still nowhere near ZR1 times. I think the GT500 will spit out pieces of the Z/28 at most tracks but it sounds like the ZL1 was almost made for the " Ring ". The Boss vs the GT500 is a completely different experience, I would even rather the current GT500 to the Boss.

I highly doubt for is silly enough to challenge a zr1.  but thats just my opinion.

I would tend to agree with you as the best " Ring " times reported for the 2013 GT500 are in the 7:35-7:40 range which is faster than the 7:48 that the ZL1 ran but nowhere near the 7:19 that the ZR1 recently ran.

29+ seconds on a 13 mile course is huge. 
In 15 laps you are already a lap down...

I agree, those were estimated pre production 2013 GT500 times so I am waiting for an official time from Ford. The GT500 is amazing in many ways, but its definitely no ZR1 beater even though the current car laps very close to the GS, and base Corvette.

watch those words jeff... gm has this other car that is big and heavy and will leave a lot of lesser cars in its wake...