Official: 2012 Camaro ZL-1 w/550HP

[CodeRedR51]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/09/2012-chevrolet-camaro-zl1-chicago-2011/

 

[Tornado]

Is this what they are going to call it instead of Z-28, or has GM decided to be truly stupid and sell both alongside each other? If its the former, I'm legitimately impressed. If it the latter, I'm not surprised in the least.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I actually like the fact they didn't call it the Z/28. Because the purpose of the Z/28 is not what this car is. ZL-1 is definitely more suited.

 

[BrutherSuperior]

So....they threw the LS9 into a Camaro and everyone is going goo-goo gaa-gaa over it?

The Camaro has 99 problems; horsepower or an engine isn't one of them.

 

[YSSMAN]

So....they threw the LS9 into a Camaro...

They took the LSA from the Cadillac CTS-V, which is a slightly different version of the LS9 from the ZR1. The LSA uses wet-sump lubrication, has some different internal pieces, and as I recall, has a slightly different blower setup than the LS9. Similar, but different.


Choosing the ZL1 name was wise on behalf of GM, I think. It makes it seem like the car is far more special than any other Camaro, and it certainly fits the power figures a bit better as well. Plus, it still lets me keep up my hopes that they'll eventually do a proper Z/28 with a weight reduction and a smaller displacement V8.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

The amount of black plastic in the bottom part of the bumper and that cheap looking bit on the hood aren't doing much for me.

And considering tuners almost immediately started putting this engine (and the LS9) in the Camaro when it was released, this feels kind of... anti-climatic. I'll agree they made the right decision about the name though.

Add one more to the list of people who are waiting for a stripped Z/28, sort of like the Boss 302 Laguna Seca 'Stang 👍

 

[Dan_]

C'mon, it's a Camero with more powah, it's lovely.

 

[super cirrus]

So....they threw the LS9 into a Camaro and everyone is going goo-goo gaa-gaa over it?

The Camaro has 99 problems; horsepower or an engine isn't one of them.

It gets bigger brakes and the magneto-whatchamacallit suspension that makes the zr1 and cts-v handle as well.

 

[JCE]

Too heavy and won't really be worth the extra money for very little increase in acceleration. Fail.

 

[GT cruiser]

A true ZL-1 had 7 liters.............WAY TO GO CHEVY

 

[super cirrus]

Too heavy and won't really be worth the extra money for very little increase in acceleration. Fail.

With the same engine and suspension the CTS-V runs 12 flat in the 1/4 mile and sub 8 minute laps at the Nürburgring. With 400 less pounds to carry, the Camaro should be a solid 11 second car and quite a handler. And it should be between 45K at 50K to compete with the GT500, so there isn't much that can compete with it at that price.

 

[Keef]

So....they threw the LS9 into a Camaro and everyone is going goo-goo gaa-gaa over it?

The Camaro has 99 problems; horsepower or an engine isn't one of them.

It's basically an SS SS. More of everything. Hopefully not weight, but I won't hold my breath.

 

[ShaneG]

I guess if they paint it yellow, they'll have a reason to film Trans Formers 4.


The front end still reminds me of this guy:

 

[Paulie]

It's awesome, and I'm glad they've gone to the effort of chassis stiffening. Time for a Ring lap time, so GM can prove it's not just a Camaro with more power. I also noticed the in-efficient retro steering wheel is gone replaced with a regular one.

 

[Robin]

I guess if they paint it yellow, they'll have a reason to film Trans Formers 4.

That's what I was thinking, its almost like Chevy keeps bringing out new Camaro's just to update Bumblebee!

 

[Jim Prower]

It's awesome, and I'm glad they've gone to the effort of chassis stiffening. Time for a Ring lap time, so GM can prove it's not just a Camaro with more power. I also noticed the in-efficient retro steering wheel is gone replaced with a regular one.

Do I need to say it?

'RING TIMES ARE POINTLESS MANUFACTURER BRAGGING POINTS.

((reasons? fine. different drivers on different days in different conditions, sometimes in traffic, sometimes not. Wait for a comparison test, then you get a good measure of what one car can do against at least some form of competition.))

 

[Azure Flare]

Wanna race?

 

[Joey D]

Hmm a Camaro that I don't think is complete crap. It's still too heavy and big but it has more then enough power so I can't really fault it. I know the chassis is decent enough so it should be a pretty good sports car.

With that said I do like the GT500 more.

And Jim's right, Ring times are pointless.

 

[ShaneG]

Wanna race?

Sure....

 

[Philly]

Hmm a Camaro that I don't think is complete crap. It's still too heavy and big but it has more then enough power so I can't really fault it. I know the chassis is decent enough so it should be a pretty good sports car.

With that said I do like the GT500 more.

And Jim's right, Ring times are pointless.

My thoughts 100%

I respect the Camaro SS, but it's still behind the Challenger and Mustang for me. The ZL-1 is the only Camaro I'd consider for my garage. But still, Mustang > Camaro again.

I'd like to see a comparo between this, the GT500 and the Challenger 392.

 

[homeforsummer]

Plus, it still lets me keep up my hopes that they'll eventually do a proper Z/28 with a weight reduction and a smaller displacement V8.

Knowing the way things are going, if they ever make a Z/28 I'd expect them to give it a turbocharged or supercharged six rather than having two different V8s in the range.

I'd be even more surprised if they did it in the first place. Assuming ZL-1 is the Camaro equivalent to the 'Vette's ZR-1, it's presumably going to be their flagship model. Much as it'd be nice, I can't see the economic sense in making a Z/28 as well.

Oh, and chalk me up as another who doesn't give a stuff what time it would get around the 'Ring.

The real way to decide how good it is would be to revive the old SCAA Trans Am racing series (NB if this already exists in some form or other then I plead ignorance). I'd much rather see a bunch of near-stock Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers etc racing against each other than some willy-waving arbitrary lap time at a circuit that no owner will ever take their car to.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Adding power makes it faster on straights. Dropping weight would make it faster everywhere. Why can't they see this?

 

[Philly]

More power makes the car more impressive to everybody. Less weight only pleases enthusiasts and probably makes other people less likely to buy one.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I'd be even more surprised if they did it in the first place. Assuming ZL-1 is the Camaro equivalent to the 'Vette's ZR-1, it's presumably going to be their flagship model. Much as it'd be nice, I can't see the economic sense in making a Z/28 as well.

Yet how many Mustang variations are there?

I think the Z/28 could be a good Boss Mustang fighter if done right.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

More power makes the car more impressive to everybody. Less weight only pleases enthusiasts and probably makes other people less likely to buy one.

So, this isn't a car for the enthusiasts..?

 

[Tornado]

Knowing the way things are going, if they ever make a Z/28 I'd expect them to give it a turbocharged or supercharged six rather than having two different V8s in the range.

They already have two. They can fairly easily make room for 3. They take a hundred pounds out of the car, slap the Z06 engine in it (or, more likely, a cheaper equivalent) and price it between the two. Hell, Chevrolet still makes the two engines (the 4800 and the 5300) that they would need to make a 302 equivalent. And if they didn't want to go down that route, they could just the 6.2 in it and make it a screamer. As seen by:

I'd be even more surprised if they did it in the first place. Assuming ZL-1 is the Camaro equivalent to the 'Vette's ZR-1, it's presumably going to be their flagship model. Much as it'd be nice, I can't see the economic sense in making a Z/28 as well.

Ford is doing basically the same thing with the Boss.

More power makes the car more impressive to everybody. Less weight only pleases enthusiasts and probably makes other people less likely to buy one.

Is a specialty version of what is already a specialty car not a car for enthusiasts?

 

[vfrmaverick]

Im pretty sure this is what went on in the GM design room.
engineer 1-"what would jesus do to the new camaro."
engineer 2-" He'd throw a 🤬 LS9 on that 🤬"
engineer 1- "brilliant"

 

[Eric.]

Too heavy and won't really be worth the extra money for very little increase in acceleration. Fail.

What makes you think adding 125hp and around the same torque won't add significant acceleration?

 

[Philly]

Is a specialty version of what is already a specialty car not a car for enthusiasts?

It wouldn't surprise me if there were a fair amount of people who bought this car just because they wanted the fanciest Camaro and aren't necessarily big motorheads.

 

[JCE]

What makes you think adding 125hp and around the same torque won't add significant acceleration?

It is still too heavy. And the extra premium you pay won't be worth the only marginal increase in acceleration. That's my point.