The essence of power
Virginia, USA - Let me begin by saying that this text targets the real muscle car connoisseur, those of you who get chills from the sound of a V8 engine speeding down a race track.
In fact, the Camaro ZL1 targets this very specific group of track and performance lovers. The name “ZL1” will surely make some of you feel nostalgic as it was also used back in 1969 to designate a limited edition of the Camaro.
By introducing such a car in 2012, Chevrolet confirms the ongoing rivalry with its closest competitor, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500.
Even though the technology found under the hood of the ZL1 is rather simple, it remains efficient nonetheless. Of course, V8 engines have undergone a significant evolution in the course of the past few decades. In order to boost its performance, the V8 LSA engine of 6.2 litres that propels the ZL1 has been teamed up with an Eaton supercharger, resulting in an insane capacity of 580hp. With so much power at hand, a period of adaptation is required to enjoy the full potential of the beast.
Even though I am a regular at racing GTs of comparable potency, I remained very polite with the accelerator for the first couple of laps on the sinuous track at Virginia International Speedway. Mastering it requires precision and tact. With a whole cavalry roaring under the hood, the slightest “faux-pas” could put you in an embarrassing position.
One of the Top Gear U.S.A. reporters learned it the hard way when he lost control of his Camaro and sent it waltzing nose first in the tire wall after only a couple laps. The guy was fine, but the car was significantly damaged.
The V8 can be twinned either with a six-speed Tremec 6 manual transmission or with a surprising six-speed automatic. The acceleration and performance are phenomenal. Even with the traction control system activated, the power can barely be contained.
The 0-100 is reached in just a little under four seconds and the quarter mile in 11.9 seconds. The max speed estimated by the builder is of 290 km/h. With such numbers, one thing is certain: future owners will have to hit the track to experience the full extent of the ZL1 power.
Known in the past for their incredible performances, the ’70s’ muscle cars had important deficiencies in terms of brakes and suspensions. A situation long forgotten.
The Camaro ZL1 brakes as wonderfully as it accelerates. It comes equipped with oversized Brembo disc brakes. Lap after lap, the braking remained efficient and constant. The air vents located on the front grille work wonders when it comes to cooling the braking system.
On the race track, when pushing the Camaro to its limits, it does show some signs of oversteer, especially when coming out of curves. On the other hand, the Magnetic Ride Control suspension offers a steady and dynamic control of the car and can be set in two different modes: Touring and Sport.
Though the physical changes of the ZL1, often compared to the SS version, are very sober, a handful of accessories enhance its more aggressive silhouette as well as its aerodynamics. Its aluminum hood decorated with a carbon fibre exhaust fan and a front spoiler give the beast all its character.
The rear end has not been forgotten: it has been given a new airfoil, four huge exhaust pipes and a built-in air distributor. Its look is completed with a set of 20-inch alloy wheels and a xenon lighting system.
The ZL1 edition Camaro comes with a well set up cabin. The seating and steering are covered with black leather and suede decorated with red stitching. The ZL1 logo embroidered on the front headrests add to the luxury. The roof, being very low, might not suit a taller clientele who might end up feeling in a tight spot behind the wheel. All the pressure indicators are also hard to read as they are located low on the dashboard.
Some commodities are part of the standard equipment such as the rearview camera and a Head up Display (which consists in projecting the speed and rpm in the windshield, at eye level), similar to the display found in the Corvette.
The all new ZL1 will be available in March 2012 at any GM dealer across Canada. Priced at $58,000, it offers the best price/performance ratio on the market.
With these numbers, Chevrolet sets the bar higher in the modern muscle car family. I am already excited to see how the competitors are going to react to this new ruffian.
source: autonet.ca
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