2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE Gets the One-Take Treatment
Mind the volume as Matt Farah tours around North Carolina with a howling Camaro ZL1 1LE.
The Chevrolet Camaro has been getting really fast and really capable over the last few years. This latest-generation model is pushing the performance envelope into the realm of supercars. Thanks to the introduction of the 1LE package, you can add Corvette-like handling and performance to any Camaro. So what happens when you add the 1LE performance and handling package to the most powerful Camaro, the ZL1? Matt Farah got his hands on the best version of the best Camaro on sale, and turned on his cameras to share his opinion.
Let’s cover the numbers for those who aren’t aware. The Camaro ZL1 is based heavily on the drivetrain technology from the Z06 Corvette, which means a 6.2L supercharged V8 that produces 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. With the 1LE upgrade, that engine gets to yell through a new exhaust system. Other bonuses of the 1LE include a stiffer suspension, lower weight, upgraded engine and oil cooling, and a full aerodynamics package. Recaro seats, lightweight wheels, bigger brakes from Brembo and exclusive, barely road-legal, Goodyear tires round out the list of goodies.
On track, that makes the ZL1 1LE Camaro (there has got to be a better way to name this thing, Chevy) the fastest ever. Going over the finer points of Matt’s thoughts, he loves the power of the engine, praises the tires, and thinks the transmission is pretty great. He says the cars extremely twitchy in the rain, and the suspension is downright brutal. He makes note that the new exhaust sounds pretty great. However it also drowns out almost everything and heavily distorts the audio. Seriously, consider this a volume notice for you headphone users.
During his little jaunt around rural North Carolina, we don’t get a whole lot from Matt that we didn’t already know. He does ultimately drop the verdict that he prefers the Shelby GT350R. He fully admits the Camaro is much faster, but he just has a longing for that high-revving engine in the Shelby. Not everyone can be right all the time, we guess.
