I was just looking at some numbers comparing the Z to a mustang GT.

The 35th anniversary Z supposedly has about 298 HP and weighs about 3200 pounds

The mustang GT has 300 hp and weights about 3500 pounds, and yet despite being much heavier with minimal difference in hp, is able to pull about a half a second faster on the 0-60 than the Z. Obviously I'm missing something but it sounds like nissan must be really exageratting about hp...

Thanks

 

there is more to acceleration than HP. what your missing is the GT's torque curve and its gearing, not to mention the solid rear axle means alot less wheel hop and easier launches.

the GT is setup from the factory for straight line power.

 

Solid rear axle... if that minimizes wheel hop, what would be the drawbacks of that?

 

^corners like crap :D

although the new one does handle rather well for a mustang

 

If I understand correctly, it doesn't handle as well as a car with IRS.

D'oh, you beat me Army.

 

Aside from the solid rear axle, don't forget that the GT has 320lb.-ft of torque, I don't know that Z's number off the top of my head, but I know in order to get that 298hp they sacrificed some torque for it, not like it had near what the GT has to begin with.

 

The Z is rated at 300hp, 260ftlbs, so it's really lacking low and mid range torque when compared to the Mustang.

 

Its not called THE "muscle car" for nothing.

Anyway its only half a sec.
It more than makes that up in the turns if its a real race.

 

The main reason is the Mustang is underated, they're getting in the area of
265-270whp stock on dynos. The torque and solid rear axle like pointed out are factors as well.

 

I don't know what the top end is like on the new Mustang, but if it stays strong like the Z, I'd put money on it dusting the Z on just about any road course, given the same driver.