The Smoking Tire One-Takes a 2017 Camaro SS 1LE

Matt Farah sees if the Track Package makes a canyon-carving Camaro.

There aren’t a whole lot of people who cross-shop German sport-luxury sedans with the Chevy Camaro SS. The owner of this 2017 Camaro converted to American muscle for the 1LE Track Package on his SS. Matt Farah takes a spin with the owner Nick up and down Southern California’s canyon roads to see how the 1LE stacks up with the non-1LE SS. It was Farah’s first go with a 1LE Camaro, so he was pretty eager to wring its neck a bit.

Credit Jonny Lieberman and Jason Cammisa with converting Nick to the temple of naturally aspirated V8s, he says in the video. Just 5,000 miles into ownership, he seems happy with the LT1 and six-speed manual, although those aren’t what sets the 1LE apart. That package includes Chevy’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension, an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, big Brembo brakes (Six-piston calipers in front, four-piston in back), dual-mode exhaust, and bolstered Recaro seats. There are also coolers for the engine oil, differential, and transmission. To complete the track-ready look, the SS 1LE gets a black-wrapped hood, front splitter, and rear spoiler.

How does all of that add up? As Farah says, “I sat in the car and immediately thought, ‘This is better.’” Farah calls it super-forgiving, which is a nice thing to have with 455 horsepower available from the V8. Everything about the 1LE Track Package adds up to a Camaro that is a big step forward from the fifth-generation Camaro and, of course, epochs ahead of the beloved F-Body. It’s still not refined like a BMW 3-Series, maybe, but when Nick drove his off the dealer lot for $43,000, it’s a hell of a lot more performance-per-dollar than anything from Bavaria. You can see more of Nick’s 2017 Camaro SS 1LE on WheelWell right here.