Chevrolet has improved the already quick ZL1 to create a new breed of the Camaro moniker.
The American muscle car industry has all sorts of surprises these days. Manufacturers seem relentless to provide bang for buck performance. Keeping up with this rather interesting trend, Chevrolet has created an angrier, tauter and faster version of the ZL1, if that’s even possible. We introduce to you, the Camaro ZL1 1LE. Complicated name, a bold demeanour and a savage gaze.
Powering the 1LE is GM’s 6.2 supercharged LT4 V8 that’s capable of producing 640 HP and a mammoth 863 Nm of torque. Exactly the same figures you get out of the standard ZL1. Then what’s all this fuss about a few alpha numerals?
What the ZL1 1LE packs is an updated aerodynamics package a major recalibration by GM’s spanner monkeys. The most striking update is the massive carbon-fibre wing on the rear deck. The aggressive gaping front radiator grille is carried forward from the standard ZL1. Complementing that audacious carbon wing are carbon dive planes and air deflectors that complete the front fascia.
Chevrolet has worked on weight reduction with lighter forged aluminium wheels, thinner glass and a fixed rear seat. This brings the total weight shedding to about 27kg compared to the original ZL1. The new 1LE also gets a recalibrated race-derived suspension setup. The springs are stiffer and are completely adjustable for ride height as well camber settings. The ZL1 1LE also runs on wider Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres. A massive 305mm front tyre and a 325mm rear tyre make the Goodyears the largest tyres to be fitted on a production Camaro. All these subtle improvements have resulted in a major overall improvement both in terms of handling and performance.
The original ZL1 set an astonishing lap time of 7min 29.60sec at the Nurburgring. The new 1LE should shave a sizeable amount from the lap time thanks to all its updates. The pricing and launch details are still under wraps at this juncture. But when it launches in the States, it would most likely be priced very aggressively to offer maximum value for money. Does the ZL1 1LE make an appeal to you? Let us know in the comments below.
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