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Basic Specs
| Base Price | $54,095 |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | TBD |
| City (MPG) | TBD |
| Hwy (MPG) | TBD |
| Horsepower | 550@6100 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 550@3800 |
| Wheelbase | 112.3 |
| Length (in.) | 190.4 |
| Width (in.) | 75.5 |
| Height (in.) | 54.2 |
The potent ZL1 is the high-performance variant of the reborn, retro-flavored Camaro. It boasts an aggressive body kit, a prominent power bulge on the hood and an engine and suspension that do justice to the menacing look.
The ZL1 packs a more powerful version of the supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 commonly found under the hood of the Cadillac CTS-V. In the ZL1, the motor is good for 580 horsepower and 556 lb-ft of torque, beating out the 1969 ZL1’s 427 cubic inch V8 by more than 150 horsepower. Helping make those impressive power figures is a 1.9-liter Roots-style supercharger that crams air into the engine thanks to a four-lobe set and with the aid of an intercooler.
Chevy says it modified the LSA engine specifically for the ZL1, with upgrades including a less restrictive air filter, dual inlet paths and improved airflow throughout the supercharger housing. Chevy also made use of a more efficient intercooler and electric power steering system, all things that help add up to give the ZL1 a power advantage over the similar engine found in the Cadillac CTS-V vehicles.
Of course, with that much power one needs specially designed transmissions to handle the high output without being prone to failures. To address that, Chevy beefed up its Tremec TR-6060 to MG9-spec, which means it can handle 30 percent more torque. This is achieved through the use of a strengthened output shaft, high-strength rear housing and additional roller bearing.
One very unique feature of the ZL1 is the availability of an automatic transmission. While the notion of adding an automatic transmission may make some enthusiasts cringe, the reality is those with pockets deep enough to purchase this car may very well prefer a six-speed automatic transmission over a do-it-yourself type tranny.
To handle that duty, Chevy has the Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic transmission, which benefits from two additional pinion gears, additional clutch plate and strengthened output shaft and gearset. There are also three drive modes: Drive, Sport and Manual, depending on the driver’s preference at the time.
“Drive” is calibrated for optimal fuel economy, which even includes second-gear starts, along with smoother shifting points for comfort. This is for drivers simply looking to get from point A to point B without earning themselves a ticket or squandering $60 worth of premium fuel.
“Sport” is, as expected, a sport-minded setup that makes use of faster, tighter shift points and a tendency to hold gears longer for optimal power.
The final mode, “Manual,” takes away any automatic upshifts, adds staged upshifts when demanded and puts all focus on performance at the cost of comfort and economy. This is the mode for those lucky and bold enough to enjoy their ZL1 on the track.
Magnetic Ride Control
Another major selling point of the ZL1 is the use of GM’s third-generation of Magnetic Ride Control. This technology uses valve-less damping and Magneto-Rheological fluid technology in its shock absorbers to control resistance. Essentially, the system can magnetize particles to change the flow resistance on the fly and adjust the ride from hard to soft, or soft to hard.
The third-gen system uses new twin-wire/dual-coil dampers at all four corners, rather than a single, larger single-core on the outgoing generation. The new system allows for even more precise control and a wider range of comfort levels, allowing up to 1,000 adjustments per second.
The MRC system has three preset settings: Tour, Sport and Track.
Performance Traction Management system
The final trick up the ZL1's sleeve comes in the form of a performance traction management system intended to used on the track or at drag strips. PTM is standard equipment, having been born in the Corvette ZR1.
PTM works by integrating magnetic ride control, launch control, traction control and electronic stability control to work together optimally depending on the environment and task at hand.
There are five pre-set modes:
Mode 1 – Traction control set for wet conditions, with stability control on and Magnetic Ride Control set on Tour.
Mode 2 – Traction control set for dry conditions, with stability control on and Magnetic Ride Control set on Tour.
Mode 3 – Traction control set on Sport 1, with stability control on and Magnetic Ride Control set on Sport.
Mode 4 – Traction control set on Sport 2, with stability control off and Magnetic Ride Control set on Sport.
Mode 5 – Traction control set on Race, with stability control off and Magnetic Ride Control set on Track. Launch control tuned for VHT-prepped drag strips.
This means the ZL1 can be set to work according to the driver’s preference for just about any situation encountered on the road, track or on the strip.
Standard and Optional Features
Buyers can choose from a pair of wheels, either standard 10-spoke black wheels with a low-gloss clearcoat with forged aluminum, or forged aluminum wheels with five spokes and a polished face protected by a standard high-gloss clearcoat. Being the range-topping performance model, Chevy made sure to pick the wheels accordingly, coming in 11 lbs lighter than the wheels on the 2SS model.
Standard features include heated leather seats with microfiber suede inserts with six-sway power adjustability, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, unique alloy pedal covers, ZL1 door sill plates, Boston Acoustics-provided premium audio, complete with nine speakers, four auxiliary gauges including boost, rear park assist, rear camera display in the mirror and more.
Options include a power sunroof, stripe package, exposed carbon fiber hood insert, interior suede microfiber package (covers steering wheel, shift knob and shift boot) and the previously mentioned automatic transmission and forged aluminum wheels.
Juicy details include the confirmation of the unique “mohawk-style” hood, which features a functional air extractor and is made of carbon fiber. The black painted carbon fiber mohawk requires unique care when cleaning due to the matte finish, while the exposed carbon fiber weave version can be waxed like the rest of the surface of the car as it is clear-coated.
Available colors include: Black, Ashen Gray, Imperial Blue Metallic, Inferno Orange Metallic, Rally Yellow, Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Victory Red or Crystal Red Tintcoat.
Key Competitors
Aside from the Ford Shelby GT500, the only cars that can offer the firepower and handling comparable to that of the Camaro ZL1 are far pricier performance machines like the Nissan GT-R and the Porsche 911 Carrera S. Chevrolet's own Corvette could also be seen as a competitor.
Similar Cars
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2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
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2012 Chevrolet Corvette
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2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
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2013 Ford Shelby GT500
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2012 Infiniti IPL G Coupe
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2012 BMW M3
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2012 Audi TT RS
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2012 Audi S5
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2012 Audi TTS Coupe
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2012 Porsche Cayman
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2012 Porsche Cayman S
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2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
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2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Yellow Jacket
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2012 BMW X6
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2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Coupe
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2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe
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2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe
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2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
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- General
- Body Style: Coupe
- Size: Midsize
- Market Segment: Sports, Performance
- Weight: TBD
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- Exterior
- Length: 190.4 in.
- Width: 75.5 in.
- Height: 54.2 in.
- Wheelbase: 112.3 in.
- Ground Clearance: TBD
- Front Track: 63.7 in.
- Rear Track: 63.7 in.
- Weight Distribution: TBD
- Drag Coefficient: TBD
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- Interior - General
- Seats: 4
- Passenger Volume: TBD
- Cargo Volume: 11.3 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
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- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 42.4 in.
- Head Room: 37.4 in.
- Shoulder Room: 56.9 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
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- Interior - Second Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 29.9 in.
- Head Room: 35.3 in.
- Shoulder Room: 42.5 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
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- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 6.2L V8
- Power: 550 hp @ 6100 rpm
- Torque: 550 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- Highway Fuel Economy: TBD
- City Fuel Economy: TBD
- Forced Induction: Supercharger
- Direct Injection: No
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- Chassis
- Layout: Rear Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Multi-Link
- Rear Suspension: Multi-Link
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- Wheels
- Front: 20" Aluminum
- Front Tires: P285/35ZR20
- Rear: 20" Aluminum
- Rear Tires: P305/35ZR20
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- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: N/A
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
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