Chevrolet has had its hand in many stews, and 2017 is shaping up to be a busy year for the American automaker thanks to a persistent execution of their electric agenda with their second-generation Volt hybrid and new fully-electric Volt.
But General Motors hasn’t forgotten their loud and usually polluting ways, in case that was getting you worried. And if you need solid proof, look no further than their new 2017 Camaro ZL1, which thumps out 477kW and 868Nm of torque from its supercharged 6.2-litre V8. That’s more like it.
The ZL1, much like the equally American Corvette ZR1 (which shares the same engine), is meant to denote the fastest and most powerful of the Camaros. And to rein in all that power and torque is GM’s all-new 10-speed automatic transmission – there’s a manual option too. This Camaro really belongs on a track to let it express its true colour.
Chevrolet has had a prodominantly two-pronged approached to their Camaro’s turn of speed and agility which is simple but effective: by adding lightness and increasing power. A great recipe if there ever was one. You’re now aware of the grunt, but the diet has shaved of 91kg from the outgoing Camaro ZL1, which was also 60hp less powerful.
As is quite evident, Chevrolet has dressed the ZL1 to give an already aggressive-looking car even more menace, but the extra angularity have an aerodynamic purpose, pushing the car down at higher speed and aid in cooling the supercharged V8 – an engine that had been criticised in Corvette ZR1 for being a little bit too prone to overheating.
There ZL1 rests on a set of upgraded magnetic dampers as well as calibration work done to the traction control and limited slip differential. Tyres are a set of specially-developed Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercars on 20-inch forged aluminium wheels behind which six-piston Brembo brakes with dual rotors.
Despite all this focus on out-and-out performance, Chevrolet says the ZL1 still retains its everyday drivability. It is a 2+2 coupe, after all, so should theorectically be able to carry passengers and a good amount of groceries in its decently-sized boot.
The Camaro ZL1 will go on sale in the United States some time in the latter half of 2016, with no firm prices being announced yet.
