Stop laughing at the back. The Z/28 is a
hardcore track car. In fact, it’s not really intended to drive on the ‘street’.
We tried and we’re still shuddering. But here’s the thing – there are a lot of
international components in this American powerhouse. The brakes are Italian
(carbon-ceramics by Brembo), as are the Pirelli tyres. The Recaros are British,
the pistons are German, the titanium conrods are Austrian and the dampers are
Canadian… It might not sound like much, but these form the basis of the key
changes to the Camaro. The overall 25kg weight saving isn’t much to boast
about, but look at the attitude this thing has, the angle of attack in that
front splitter, the intent contained in that bonnet bulge and, mainly, observe
how the tyres are balder than the US’s national bird.
Fit
and finish levels within the cabin are all top notch and designed to lift the
Chevy Z/28 from ‘humble’ to ‘special’ status
Chevy proudly claims that the tyres are “the
widest on any production car”. Bless them, but I wasn’t aware that fitting
305-width Trofeo R tyres at either end of the front axle, thus creating a
comedy barbell, was something to boast about. In fact, if the 500 miles I’ve
driven on the road in it are anything to go by, then Chevy actually intended
appalling tramlining, brutal ride and puckering aquaplaning. They are
admittedly sticky. Once warm. And dry.
Step
inside and the spacious, high quality interior of the BMW M6 still impresses
So today, luckily, the Zee Twenny Aight is
in its element. Trouble is, so is the GT-R. It’s amazing, this car. Launched
more than six years ago, it still looks sharp. The crease at the top of the
C-pillar is a masterpiece, while everything that goes on underneath is the
product of a precision that’s alien to any other nation. We already know it’s
capable of astonishing feats. Against it, the M6 is more generic. We tease the
Camaro for being so American, but the BMW is equally inward-looking, content to
pace out the miles alongside Audi and Merc.
But forget the bigger-picture stuff, we
begin by lining them up for a gung-ho drag race. Right up the Z/28’s
quarter-mile. Sat idling on the start line, what’s apparent is that while the
M6 and GT-R emit a constant hiss of electrical whirrs and hums, the Chevy just
throbs. You can feel it inside, then feel it rock slightly on the tight springs
if you blip the throttle. And you will blip the throttle.
The
GT-R’s cabin remains driver-focused and comfortable
They’re level for the first, ooh, 10 yards,
a red arrowhead of noise and force. I find this surprising, before twigging
that the M6 false-started. Slick-shod traction and 4WD were a close match, and
then the Nissan just… disappears. Well, The Stig is driving that one. At some stage,
the M6 gets full traction, and soon after the Camaro requires a first/second
shift. But the Nissan is relentless. Maybe the M6 is faster still above 120mph,
maybe. But one thing’s certain, even allowing for the manual gearbox: the Chevy
is the slowest. Later, a third-gear roll-on test from 30mph proves it. The Z/28
holds station only until the others get their turbos spinning, at which point
they batter into the distance.
