2012 BMW M6 Convertible vs. 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible Comparison by Car and Driver

Car and Driver takes the BMW M6 Convertible against the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible. Though its quite unusual, the publication says that both cars are both sedan-based, rear-drive, four-seat droptops powered by blown V-8 engines. The main difference? One is German and the other is American. Which approach is better and has more value for money? Here is an excerpt from the review:

That the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 so easily shrugs off its burden also makes those pounds easy to forgive. Here we have a Camaro with 580 horsepower competing against a car that waltzes away from it—despite hauling more weight with less horsepower. We didn’t see that coming. The BMW hits 60 mph in four seconds flat—0.4 ahead of the Chevy—and holds that advantage through the quarter-mile, which takes just 12.3 seconds.

The ZL1 handily beat the M6 on the skidpad, 0.97 g versus 0.92, but the BMW took the slalom honors. Credit the suspension tuning enabled by its more rigid structure and consequent body-control advantage. At its limit, the M6 feels vastly lighter than it is and maintains an immediacy and balance superior to the ZL1’s.”

Which one takes the win?

“The ZL1’s greatest joy is its LSA supercharged V-8. Every combustion stroke is a chest thump, and the quad tailpipes bellow a rally cry for redline shifts. The heavy, snappy clutch feels appropriate. In comparison, the BMW’s synthesized warp-drive soundtrack is just weird. Thanks to its boisterous engine and clutch calibration, driving the ZL1 feels like more of an event. The M6 isn’t engaging until you’re flat-out, when its superb balance (for such a big, heavy car) reveals itself. The ZL1 is always engaging, if for no other reason than the exhaust roar drowns out all thoughts except a Jacob Silj–like Now we’re going faster! BMW builds a fine car, but for mere bantam-rooster money, the Camaro is the better peacock.

Read full review on Car and Driver