When Ford launched the sixth-generation Mustang in late 2013, it was obvious that Chevy would have to bring out all the stops to compete with it.
The new Mustang didn’t just usher in a refreshed design for the American muscle ca,r but also brought with it new engines and derivatives.
As the new Mustang has had an 18-month head-start on the 2016 Camaro, it is available in more forms, including the track-focused Shelby GT350R, itself created to outpace and outperform the fifth-gen Camaro Z/28.
Currently, the 2016 Camaro range is topped out by the SS and while not quite as powerful as the latest Shelby products, it actually appears to be more powerful than the standard 2014 Corvette Stingray.
Texas-based tuning company Hennessey Performance recently took delivery of a 2016 Camaro SS and swiftly strapped it onto their dyno. While the automaker claims the 6.2-litre V8 engine of the Camaro SS delivers 455 hp and 455 lb-ft at the crank, Hennessey’s car put out 431 hp and 427 lb-ft at the rear wheels, equating to over 470 hp and 470 lb-ft when a 10 per cent drivetrain loss is factored in.
To put those figures into comparison, Hennessey’s initial Corvette Stingray ‘only’ record 399 hp and 400 lb-ft on the dyno, despite being powered by the same V8 as the new Camaro SS.
Of course, a number of factors can influence dyno results including temperatures, fuel mixes and more. Nevertheless, it is interesting to see just how potent the 2016 car is fresh off the production line.