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2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 - 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview

Following close on the heels of the 2012 Camaro ZL1 coupe, plans for a ZL1 convertible are revealed.

By John Rettie
October 13, 2011
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<!-- test output end: --><!-- the article, at a glance, downloads, top competitors, from buying guide --><!-- left column -->Chevrolet is celebrating its 100th birthday on November 3rd and it’s on a roll, as the iconic brand is set to report record worldwide sales this year. There’s not a much better way of celebrating its first century than launching the most powerful Chevy convertible ever made.
Following close on the heels of the Camaro ZL1 coupe, the ZL1 convertible is powered by the same supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V-8 engine, rated at 580 horsepower and 556 lb.-ft. of torque.
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Chevrolet brags that this engine’s output exceeds the specs of many exotic 2+2 convertibles such as the 2012 Aston Martin DB9 Volante (470 bhp/443 lb.-ft.), 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG (518 bhp/465 lb.-ft.), 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S (530 bhp/516 lb.-ft.) and last but not least its arch rival, the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 (550 bhp/510 lb.-ft.).
In many ways the Camaro ZL1 convertible looks more attractive than the coupe, which is not always true for its rivals. But there’s far more to making a convertible than just chopping off the roof.
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Chevrolet says the architecture of the fifth-generation Camaro was designed to accommodate a convertible from the get go. In order to preserve the handling prowess of the coupe, four strategic reinforcements were needed to enhance the already-stiff body structure to quell the cowl and steering wheel shake common in convertibles. They include a tower-to-tower brace under the hood, a transmission support reinforcement brace, an underbody tunnel brace, a front “X” brace and stiffer cradle as well as rear underbody “V” braces.
Additional structural reinforcements in the ZL1 convertible are designed to improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also reducing unwanted ride and body motions. They include a hydroformed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.
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The suspension of the ZL1 convertible uses the third-generation Magnetic Ride setup. New twin-wire/dual-coil dampers provide faster response, with damping levels adjusted up to 1000 times per second—about one adjustment per inch of vehicle travel at 60 mph—to make the system more responsive.
The Camaro ZL1 convertible will also offer GM’s Performance Traction Management as standard equipment. The advanced system, first introduced on the Corvette ZR1, integrates magnetic ride control, launch control, traction control and electronic stability control, to enhance both launch-acceleration performance and cornering.
Chevrolet claims the Camaro ZL1 convertible will maintain almost all the road holding and performance capabilities of the ZL1 coupe when it goes on sale later next year as a 2013 model. The first chance anyone will have to see the fastest-ever Chevrolet convertible in the flesh will be at next month’s L.A. Auto Show. We can’t wait to get our hands on one.

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10/06/2011 First Look: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Has Arrived


And we have a video of a smoky burnout to prove it.



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10/06/2011 Video: Burnout in the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1


This is the actual checkered prototype that ran the 7:41.27 lap time at the Nürburgring.



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09/06/2011 Spy Shots: Caught Testing: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 “Track Pack”


Chevy Camaro ZL1 gets track-ready.



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06/09/2011 Spy Shots: Caught Testing: 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT600


Ford’s Mustang goes Camaro ZL1-hunting at the Nürburgring.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 - First Look

Serious supercharged power–124 bhp more than the Camaro SS, and looks to match.

By Shaun Bailey / Photos by Marc Urbano


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<!-- /Main photo wrapper --><!-- test output end: --><!-- the article, at a glance, downloads, top competitors, from buying guide --><!-- left column -->We’ve referred to it as the Z28 for almost two years. Chevy, however, is calling its new high-performance Camaro the ZL1, and this 550-bhp pony car will be the most potent Camaro ever. Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser and Program Engineering Manager Tony Roma have provided the details on the car, which will have stand­ard Magnetic Ride Control damping.
In 2006, when John Heinricy was head of Performance Vehicle Operations, he made sure the Camaro could someday house a larger differential and bigger rear tires. Slight changes to the floorpan created the space. As such, the ZL1 retains its stock chassis and bodywork. Only the hood and fascias are changed externally. The standard fenders house the 305-width rear tires, while the aluminum hood is modified with a black carbon-fiber vent for clearance over the supercharger and heat extraction.
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The ZL1 is designed to shine on road courses and dragstrips, with the Shelby GT500 as its benchmark. Says Oppenheiser: “The ZL1 takes the SS to a new level. Roughly 30 percent of the car has been engineered to go out and dominate…our new leadership has told us we don’t just compete anymore, we win.”
From pistons to tires, the ZL1 has been built to take abuse. The word “beefy” was in every other sentence describing the drivetrain components. In back, the asymmetric halfshafts and clutch-type limited-slip differential are built to handle repeated drop-clutch launches.
New ZL1-specific forged wheels are shod with custom Goodyears. The wheels and tires are lighter than those on the SS, even though they are larger. There are still 10 months left in the ZL1’s development, so the tire has another round of changes before being finalized. Rather than focus on a square tire setup (same size rubber front and rear) to aid cornering performance, GM says it will do this via tweaks to the rear suspension, anti-roll bar and tire compounds.
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A 6-speed manual from the CTS-V will be standard, with shorter throws than in the current SS. A smaller steering wheel with improved ergonomics will be welcomed by performance drivers, and the smaller shift knob is said to offer a more natural feel. The seats are basically unchanged, but they will have vibrant stitching and suede inserts. Updated gauges will feature a shift light or indicator, plus a standard head-up display.
Other neat ZL1 technology includes electric-assist power steering and exhaust flapper valves. As for launch control, we can expect the ZL1 to have it, and maybe the Performance Traction Management from the Corvette ZR1. This might alter bracket racing forever, with repeated sub-12-second quarter mile passes a real possibility. Look for the ZL1 early next year, priced at about $50,000.
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Road&Track
:rolleyes:
I'll just keep dream'in & watching vid's like above until
I hit the lotto :rolleyes: They are super vid's 2 `me :eek::) Take a Break, Click above "Road&Track", make full screen, turn up your sounds & Buckle `Up :) EnJoy
I'd love to drive the rides in above link on super roads contained in the vid :thumbsup: Hope your dreams come `true :thumbsup:

Its just so sexy, still dont approve of the build quality though,

:rolleyes:..Hi `Brock, yes I agree that they could improve their build quality 4-Sure...Especially for the high $'s they are asking, but POWER COST BIG $'s :eek:

I like your dream better: a 69 Chevelle..:).Bigger Bang 4 you $ :thumbsup:

p.s. I would love a 69 Chevelle with the ZL-1`Powerplant & driveline : ) WOW

hell yea i would get both 1 for me and 1 for the wife if i had the cash !!

Love it, sign me up!

I'm not a huge Camaro fan. I like the looks of the third generation Z-28 and the Iroc. I have not driven one though. I have driven a few of the second generation F-body and didn't care for the way the car rode or handled. I would buy a Dodge Challenger or a Ford Mustang over the Camaro. I also have not gotten old enough to behave in a huge horse power car. Maybe in another ten years. Lol.

I dont see the zl1 lasting long, itll cut into the vette sales