Chevrolet has lifted the covers on their new Camaro ZL1 muscle car, and they aren’t holding back with this one. They’ve declared that their new coupe is “designed to excel at everything”. Due to go on sale in the US later this year, the Camaro ZL1 is claimed to feature “unprecedented levels” of technology, refinement, acceleration and track capability.
The Camaro ZL1 is powered by the same supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that drives the Corvette Z06, and Chevrolet estimates that it’ll produce 477kW (640hp) of power and 868Nm (640lb-ft) of torque. Why they’re only estimating is beyond us, perhaps their dyno was broken? Regardless, all that power will rotate through a 6-speed manual transmission or Chevrolet’s all-new 10-speed automatic. 10 gears! So many to choose from…
The ZL1 will be the first Chevrolet to use the new ‘quick-shift’ 10-speed automatic, which promises smaller steps between gears. This will enable the 6.2L supercharged V8 to remain at the optimal rev range no matter what speed you choose to accelerate from, which should pay dividends when it comes to exiting corners or lowering lap times. It also promises “lightning quick” shift times, and GM is planning to introduce it to 7 other models by the end of 2018. The ZL1 also features Magnetic Ride suspension and an electronic limited-slip differential.
It will also have a bi-modal exhaust, Recaro front seats, and a suede trim for the flat-bottom steering wheel and gear-shift knob.
The ZL1 will roll on 20″ forged alloy wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar rubber (285/30ZR20 front and 305/30ZR20 rear) with a unique compound developed exclusively for this car. Hiding behind the big rims are six-piston Brembo brakes with 390mm two-piece rotors.
Chevrolet has also put the Camaro ZL1 on a strict diet, shedding an estimated 90 kilograms compared to its predecessor, thanks to the sixth-generation Camaro’s lighter architecture.
Mark Reuss, executive vice president of Global Product Development for Chevrolet, boldly said “it will compare well to any sports coupe, at any price and in any setting.”
1 comment
Interesting though I’m not keen on that mouth. Also 10 is too many gears, it may allow the engine to stay on the revs but it also means that with fewer gears then engine is incapable of maintaining optimum revs which means that it’s not as good as it could be.