Ford->ke31 has really cornered the American muscle car realm recently with its high-performance levels of the Mustang – the GT500 and the Boss 302. Chevy has done its best to keep up with the release of the Camaro ZL1 and 1LE models, but ultimately the ZL1 just does not have the top-end giddy up needed to compete with the GT500 and the 1LE lacks the engineering refinement to hold its own against the Boss 302.

Last week, we pulled up some trademark information that showed GM had once again trademarked the once famous “Z28” name. This trademark, and the promise that GM gave us that the Z28 would return, gives us all hope that Chevy may be on the cusp of giving the GT500 something to check for in its rearview mirror. Now, we are still uncertain where the Z28 will sit in the Camaro->ke248 lineup, so we’re not too sure which model the GT500 will be checking for.

Our speculation-o-meters are going off saying that the Z28 will almost undeniably be placed atop the Camaro lineup and will be the competition that the GT500 fears so much. The Z28 will likely challenge the GT500’s 662-horsepower crown and will also likely include the suspension refinements that the Mustang GT500 lacks. We’re not saying that the Mustang GT500 is a bad handler, but its live rear axle really puts it at a disadvantage, which actually makes the competition between the ZL1 and GT500 a close one, despite the huge horsepower gap.

We definitely see the Z28 at the very least breaking even with the GT500 and possibly taking over the top-dog role in the American muscle car realm. We just hope that Chevy doesn’t turn the upcoming Z28 into just a dedicatory car with special badges and no power upgrades.

May the Ford-Chevy arguments commence!!!

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