The Camaro ZL1 1LE is Now Ready to Take Flight (Photos)
The ZL1 Camaro is an impressive car, to say the least. However, the good folks at GM wanted to make something a little crazier for those who desire a car as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel for the track.
1.Hardcore as Hell
First things first, this thing is fast, like really, really fast. To give a benchmark to journos at the track launch debut of the Camaro, Chevy brought along a BMW M4 equipped with the competition package. The 1LE curb stomped the M4 in every way possible. So, not only did Chevy succeed at making a more than capable car that beats the tar out of the longtime track stalwart, but it did it costing $27,545 less than a tricked out M4 as well.
>>Join the conversation about the new ZL1 1LE Camaro right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
2. Beastly Wheels
The 1LE also gains new 19-inch forged wheels, made of alloy and wrapped in super wide Goodyear Eagle F1 tires with 305mm at the front and 325mm at the rear, for an aggressive presence. As for the lesser ZL1, consumers will have to make due with 285mm at the front and 305mm in the rear. For those like myself who love a bit of trivia, these are actually the biggest tires EVER fitted on a production Camaro. Those brakes peeking out from behind the wheels are Brembo six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston in the rear.
>>Join the conversation about the new ZL1 1LE Camaro right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
3. The Powerplant
To make all of that power, the car comes with the same 6.2-liter LT4 V8 that also comes on the standard ZL1, which puts out 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. However, the 1LE Camaro's biggest difference is in the suspension, where updated ZMultimatic spool-valve dampers, along with additional tweaks to make the car (even more) stiffer than the standard model.
>>Join the conversation about the new ZL1 1LE Camaro right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
4. One Transmission
Beginning this Summer, Chevy will offer the 1LE track package on any Camaro, V6 and V8 alike, though lesser cars aren't going to get the huge rubber. What you don't have an option for is the transmission with the 1LE package in the car. The ZL1 and other 1LE cars will only be available with a six-speed manual transmission, just like on the Z/28 model.
>>Join the conversation about the new ZL1 1LE Camaro right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
5. Air and a Solid Object
Other improvements on the monster Camaro are a bunch of aero tweaks to help the car achieve those blistering speeds at the track that put the M4 to shame. There are functional pieces like a rear wing (in real carbon fiber), air deflectors, dive plans, and a new front splitter. The car also gets an enlarged front grille to allow for better cooling, and a new supercharger lid in order to further the heat reduction in the car.
Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but in keeping with the past, it should be somewhere in the neighborhood of $60,000 for a ZL1 and then another 7 grand for the 1LE option package.
>>Join the conversation about the new ZL1 1LE Camaro right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
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