ZL1 Chevy's most powerful Camaro ever brandishes more than just a big engine.
ZL1 Chevy's most powerful Camaro ever brandishes more than just a big engine.
Instrumented Test
<HGROUP>2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Chevy's most powerful Camaro ever brandishes more than just a big engine.
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- January 2012
- BY MICHAEL AUSTIN
Midway down the main straight at Inde Motorsports Ranch outside Tucson, Arizona, the shift lights on the head-up display flash. At 106 mph, we grab fourth gear, and another wave of ferocious acceleration propels the car forward. We graze 130 mph before hitting the brakes and downshifting for Turn Three, a fast right-hand sweeper that puts the coupe’s stability—and our own intestinal fortitude—to the test. As soon as we get back on the throttle and glance at the windshield-projected speed, we’re already doing 110.
The car in this scenario is the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the long-rumored, much-hyped Killer Camaro. It features GM’s second-most-powerful engine: With 580 horsepower, it’s behind only the truly absurd, 638-hp Corvette ZR1.
No surprise that during its development it was known simply as the “HP.” And it carries the most sophisticated adjustable dampers and stability-control system any amount of money can buy. For this, GM asks a base price of $56,295, which includes a $1300 gas-guzzler tax; all the go-fast parts are standard issue. 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Jump In & take it 4 a Ride ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The ZL1 is not your old-school, all-ate-up-with-motor muscle car, although its name derives from such a vehicle. It is built with the GM Performance Division mantra of “go, stop, and turn” in mind. Track ability was always part of the HP program from back when everyone assumed the car would be called the Z28. But highlighting that point is more important now that Ford stole GM’s big, SAE-net thunder by announcing the 650-hp 2013 Shelby GT500. Having already placed second in the realm of public perception and internet-forum keyboard racing, the ZL1 needs to be about more than just straight-line speed.
Which is not to say the ZL1 neglects single-vector velocity. Top speed is a claimed 180 mph with the manual transmission. With 580 horsepower and 556 pound-feet of torque from the supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V-8, eye-popping acceleration is also a given despite the ZL1’s hefty 4120-pound curb weight
. The engine is carried over from the CTS-V, with a two-stage exhaust system borrowed from the Corvette and a revised intake responsible for the extra 24 horsepower. Two bits of technology aid in the quarter-mile fight: “No-lift shift” allows you to crack off upshifts without easing off the gas, and launch control manages wheelspin and helps 0-to-60 consistency (although we were able to beat the system after a few attempts). Get everything right, and the ZL1 hits 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and passes 1320 feet in 12.3 seconds 
at 119 mph—or better, as the cold and dusty track at Inde was less than ideal for acceleration runs. Few cars costing less than $60,000 can claim such feats. And the ZL1 sounds angry, with a throaty bass-boat rumble backed by a faint supercharger whine. The V-8 fires up with a roar, and the exhaust crackles when you back out of full throttle.
Camaro ZL1 Starting up & Revving! - YouTube <~ (Found the below sound clip on YouTube) 
It's a great powerful `tune ~> this ones about 42 seconds ~> http://youtu.be/LuANc0p3AjU <~ this ones about 42 seconds (Start `Up) I'd put on a set of Borla's ~> LOL<TABLE class=default border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=429><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>
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Thirty percent of the parts in the ZL1 are new or reengineered, says Camaro chief engineer Al Oppenheiser. New, third-generation magnetorheological shocks [see below] control the 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires (which together save 22 pounds of unsprung weight versus the Camaro SS). A strut-tower brace spans the engine bay, and the rear anti-roll bar is attached to the suspension farther outboard (a change folded back into the 2012 SS). The brakes use the same calipers as the CTS-V but have two-piece rotors that perform slightly better, though they’re a bit noisier than the twin-cast discs in the Cadillac.
Unlike the rest of the Camaro lineup, the ZL1 has electrically assisted power steering (EPS). The unit found here can differentiate between forces on the front wheels and those coming from the helm, and it accordingly stifles any kickback. We suspect the EPS system also dampens some steering feel, but we drove a Camaro SS around the track shortly before sampling the ZL1; had we not been told about the electric boost, it would be hard to tell the difference.
Starker is the transformation of the ZL1’s handling characteristics from those of a stock SS. In the latter, the driver is always fighting the car—it understeers on turn-in and oversteers on corner exit, all served up with a healthy dollop of body roll. The ZL1 does exactly what you want all the time, with no surprises. Front grip is tenacious enough that you actually get a sense of the tires biting in as you turn the wheel. Power comes in so creamily and with such linearity that it’s easy to forget you’re driving a 580-hp car. The brake pedal feels solid but still offers enough travel for smooth application, and it shows no fade. The ZL1 goes around the track with a composure that would shock many BMW M3 fans. Our only complaint is that the seat, adequate in the SS, lacks the lateral support to cope with the ZL1’s higher limits. We saw 0.98 g on a dusty skidpad (did we mention Tucson is in the desert?). This is supercar territory. Continued... <~ Click
Last edited by Space; Feb 1, 2012 at 07:09 AM.
Member's, Post your thoughts/opinions on Chevy's ZL`1 ?
Thanks
Chevrolet Camaro Research>
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<!--research-->Specifications >
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE AS TESTED: $56,795 (base price: $56,295)
ENGINE TYPE: supercharged and intercooled V-8, aluminum block and heads
Displacement: 376 cu in, 6162 cc
Power: 580 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 556 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 112.3 in
Length: 190.4 in
Width: 75.5 in Height: 54.2 in
Curb weight: 4120 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 8.9 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 14.7 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 4.6 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 7.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 6.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.3 sec @ 119 mph
Top speed (drag ltd, mfr's claim): 180 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Roadholding, 250-ft-dia skidpad: 0.98 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 14/16 mpg
C/D observed: 13 mpg
News and Reviews>
- 2012 SLP Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible - Specialty File
- Chevrolet Announces $54,995 Price Tag For 580-hp Camaro ZL1 - Car News
- Hot Wheels Chevrolet Camaro Concept: SEMA's Biggest Toy - Auto Shows
- COPO Comeback: Chevy Shows a Drag Camaro Concept and a Pair of Worthy Engines - Auto Shows
- Chevrolet Preps ZL1, Droptop Camaros for SEMA - Auto Shows
- Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Dealer Reference Guide Leaked, Super Camaro Slightly Heavier than SS Model - Car News
- Hennessey Performance Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Limited-Edition HPE650 Supercharged Camaros - Car News
- 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible - Car News
- Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 107: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS - Feature
- 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Cranks the Dyno Needle to 580 HP - Car News
- Chevrolet Corvette Z06
- Nissan GT-R
- Porsche Cayman
- Dodge Challenger SRT8 392
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 coupe
<!--research-->Specifications >
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE AS TESTED: $56,795 (base price: $56,295)
ENGINE TYPE: supercharged and intercooled V-8, aluminum block and heads
Displacement: 376 cu in, 6162 cc
Power: 580 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 556 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 112.3 in
Length: 190.4 in
Width: 75.5 in Height: 54.2 in
Curb weight: 4120 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 8.9 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 14.7 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 4.6 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 7.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 6.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.3 sec @ 119 mph
Top speed (drag ltd, mfr's claim): 180 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Roadholding, 250-ft-dia skidpad: 0.98 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 14/16 mpg
C/D observed: 13 mpg
Last edited by Space; Feb 1, 2012 at 07:02 AM.
LOL `Brent, if they were giving them away, I'd already be in line b-4 U ~>
They are just dream rides 4- me, but I'm happy that they are still producing them...I'd be super happy just to be able to drive one 4-Sure...WoW 13 MPG...I better go play the lotto 4 tonight & keep dream'in Hope Life is going Good 4 U 4-Sure
Monte Of The Month -- January 2015
Monte Of The Month -- February 2011
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,215
From: New Orleans
The New Mustang already has more HP 650 and 5k cheaper
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 and 2013 Mustang Lineup First Look - Motor Trend
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 and 2013 Mustang Lineup First Look - Motor Trend
Monte Of The Month -- March 2013
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,442
From: michigan
I want this. My wife actually loves the new Camaro so I wouldn't be surprised if we buy one someday. I think it's really cool that they put the gauge's down here. Is it like that on all of them
