GM Drops the Details on the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The ZL1 features a supercharged LT4 6.2L V-8 Small Block engine, with intake and exhaust systems tailored for Camaro. It is rated at an estimated 640 horsepower (477 kW) and 640 lb-ft of torque (868 Nm), backed by a standard six-speed manual transmission or all-new, available paddle-shift 10-speed automatic. The 10-speed automatic has 7.39 overall ratio for smaller steps between gears. It enables the LT4 engine to remain at optimal rpm levels during acceleration, particularly when exiting corners, for quicker laps and lightning-quick responses on both up- and down-shifts.

General Motors announced that the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is coming and it will be powered by the same LT4 V8 that motivates the C7 Corvette Z06 – making it the most powerful production Camaro of all time with estimated power figures of 640 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. Those are only “estimated” numbers right now, but with the Z06 offering 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, I would expect to see the Camaro with slightly lower official numbers. Of course, the Camaro ZL1 may lay down just as much wheel horsepower as the Corvette, but for the sake of marketing, I expect that the 640/640 could become the official power numbers.

Next up – and the biggest surprise of the 2017 Camaro ZL1 – is the optional 10-speed automatic transmission. This transmission was developed in cooperation with Ford Motor Company and it was part of the same program as the 10-speed automatic transmission in the 2017 Ford SVT Raptor F-150, with the ZL1 being the first of several cars to get the 10-speed gearbox in the next two years. However, the 2017 Camaro ZL1 will come with a unique version of the 10-speed which has been geared for optimal performance. This new transmission has allowed the engineers to gear the car very aggressively, while the short distances between the gears leading to lightning quick shifts and very little drop in RPM from gear to gear.

The 2017 Camaro ZL1 is also offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, but I am betting that the models with the 10-speed gearbox will prove to be the quickest and the best performing overall.

Next up, the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 features the newest version of the Magnetic Ride suspension system with the most track-focused tuning, the Performance Traction Management system with Custom Launch Control for the drag strip, an electronic limited-slip differential and Drive Mode Selector. This total system should make the ZL1 at least the second-best handling Camaro of all time, with the 5^th gen Z/28 providing the cornering competition. However, the new Brembo front braking system with two piece, 15.35 inch rotors under 6-piston monoblock calipers could help the ZL1 stop quicker than the old Z/28 – aided by the fact that this new ZL1 is promised to be around 200 lbs lighter than the previous generation.

Helping the 2017 Camaro ZL1 get off of the line and grip the corners is a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires (285/30ZR20 front, 305/30ZR20 rear) wrapped around lightweight forged aluminum wheels tucked into the unique flared front and rear fenders.

“The design supports the Camaro ZL1’s exceptional performance and does so with compelling style,” said John Mack, Camaro exterior design manager. “From every angle, the elements coalesce to give the car a purposeful, super aggressive attitude.”

Up front, the 2017 Camaro ZL1 wears the boldest and most aggressive 6^th gen front end with a huge lower grille opening flanked by large cooling ducts and lined by a very prominent chin spoiler that extends well out in front of the fascia. The next generation Chevy “Flowtie” badge is mounted in the slim upper grille and the unique hood with a central heat vent and an exposed carbon fiber section looks fantastic behind the menacing front end.

The driver-focused interior of the Camaro ZL1 features standard Recaro front seats, along with a sueded flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob. Chevrolet’s Performance Data Recorder is available, and allows drivers to record, share and analyze driving experiences on and off the track.

Finally, the back end of the new ZL1 has a high riding wing and quad exhaust tips, along with ZL1 badging. On the inside, the ZL1 features Recaro seats, a flat bottomed sport steering wheel and the Performance Data Recorder.

GM has been relatively tight-lipped with the full details of the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, but with the New York Auto Show coming up and an expected arrival date later this year – we are sure to get all of the juicy details on the new ZL1 very soon. In the meantime, check out our pictures and the video below!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com