What better way to kick the new year into gear than by racing a 2024 Ford Mustang GT against another American icon, the Camaro SS? Ironically, this 1/4-mile drag race is taking place in Canada, but it's the cars that count, not the location. And, oh boy, do we have a fantastic race unfolding today.
In the yellow corner, there's the brand-new 2024 Mustang GT. In the United States, Ford sells it for $42,710. However, if you go for the GT Premium Fastback, it will run you north of $47,230, while the GT Premium Convertible starts from $52,730.
For those who want even more ponies, the Dark Horse MSRP is $59,485, with the Premium version starting from almost $63,500. The Dark Horse has 500 hp (507 ps) and generates 418 lb-ft (567 Nm) of torque.
Getting back to our standard RWD GT model, it has a 5.0-liter V8 powerplant capable of delivering 486 hp or 493 ps and 416 ft-lb (564 Nm) of torque. Now, the standard GT does indeed generate only 480 hp, but when you equip the Active Valve dual exhaust, it summons six more ponies to the race.
Next, we have the classic Camaro SS 1LE, but from 2022. It packs a bigger 6.2-liter engine capable of outputting 455 hp or 461 ps with 455 lb-ft or 617 Nm. It's also rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual transmission system and, for all intents and purposes, weighs almost the same as the Mustang GT, at 3,788 lbs or 1,718 kg.
Photo: Sam CarLegion
A 2024 SS model with a 6.2-liter engine starts from $43,895 (6-speed manual) and goes all the way up to $50,500. However, if you want the ZL1, the MSRP says $73,695 (manual) and upward.
Now that we know what we're dealing with, let's see how they did. The first roll race had them floor it from 31 mph or 50 kph. Sam from the "Sam CarLegion" YouTube channel was behind the wheel of the Mustang GT and crossed the finish line in second place due to the Camaro having a better shifter.
During the second roll race, they went at it at full speed after hitting 43.5 mph or 70 kph. This time, the Mustang won by two or three car lengths. Then, they switched to the more traditional drag race.
The Mustang won in the first attempt because, during launch, the Chevy's wheels were smoking due to an involuntary burnout. Of course, it lost a lot of ground while the Ford kept on accelerating. The tables pulled a 180 for the second race, where the 'Maro put the 'Stang to shame. Now let's see their best times!
The 2022 Camaro SS went from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and completed the 1/4-mile in 12.2 seconds. The 2024 Ford Mustang GT got to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and crossed the finish line in 12.5 seconds. It was a no-contest for the Camaro, which is in the same price range as the Mustang for the 2024 models.
Codrin just loves American classics, from the 1940s and ‘50s, all the way to the muscle cars of the '60s and '70s. In his perfect world, we'll still see Hudsons and Road Runners roaming the streets for years to come (even in EV form, if that's what it takes to keep the aesthetic alive). Full profile
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