Official: 2012 Camaro ZL-1 w/550HP

[Cale]

To demonstrate the fact that the Boss isn't the top-performing Mustang but still stacks up well against a much more powerful car with a much more sophisticated suspension. I'm confident the new GT500 will outperform it in nearly every category.

I don't really think that's the point. The point was to show that the ZL-1 handles every bit as well as the most track oriented Mustang, which weighs 500lbs less than the Camaro.

 

[AudiPro]

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.

They also put a massive supercharger on it if I can recall. Which makes no sense that it would have 550hp if it has the LSA in it already.

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.

The scoop on the hood actually works if you can believe that. Theres a video of the chief engineer talking about how it actually works and is used for something either to create drag or for cooling and the big drag racing hump is for the supercharger that I mentioned above.

 

[YSSMAN]

They also put a massive supercharger on it if I can recall. Which makes no sense that it would have 550hp if it has the LSA in it already.

It is the LSA under the hood, but with subtle tweaks, they bumped the output to 580 BHP. Using the Corvette exhaust system and a special intake, they were able to achieve those figures.

From the Car and Driver Review

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.

C/D's basic assumption is that, instead of making a ground-shaking muscle car like Ford did with the updated GT500, GM set out to make a proper American GT car. I don't disagree with that conclusion. We'll see if the GT500 out-handles it. Straight line speed doesn't seem like much of a comparison.

 

[Blackbird.]

It is the LSA under the hood, but with subtle tweaks, they bumped the output to 580 BHP. Using the Corvette exhaust system and a special intake, they were able to achieve those figures.

From the Car and Driver Review



C/D's basic assumption is that, instead of making a ground-shaking muscle car like Ford did with the updated GT500, GM set out to make a proper American GT car. I don't disagree with that conclusion. We'll see if the GT500 out-handles it. Straight line speed doesn't seem like much of a comparison.

Well the GT seems to out-handle the SS pretty well. We'll see if Shelby can keep up that.

 

[Keef]

I don't really think that's the point. The point was to show that the ZL-1 handles every bit as well as the most track oriented Mustang, which weighs 500lbs less than the Camaro.

Actually, what this shows is that the Pirelli Corsa is a joke of an R-compound. The ZL-1 uses the Goodyear G2, a step below the R-comp, and the GT500 uses the same tire. Hmm. We will see, we will see.

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eeplOPqdyA

 

[Zenith]

Automobile Magazine tested a ZL-1 as well and came back with some test numbers

0-60 (no rollout): 4.3s
0-100: 9.5s
1/4 Mile: 12.6s @116mph
Cornering G's: 1.01L .98R
70-0: 162ft

And that youtube video is awesome.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

12.7 @ 114? With 550hp? What the hell were they doing? I mean that's within range of a stock or barely modified LS1 F body....

 

[ND4SPD]

12.7 @ 114? With 550hp? What the hell were they doing? I mean that's within range of a stock or barely modified LS1 F body....

I was just about to say that. Even a base C6 Vette is within that range.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

They added power and left everything else as is. Isn't that the American way?

 

[Keef]

Automobile needs to scrap those numbers and try it again. There's no way the ZL1 sucks that bad.

 

[MCNAGTROC]

Road and track just tested it along with the GTR

they got a 12.9@113 out of it 4.7 0-60

http://www.nagtroc.org/files/attachments/RT_Data_2012_ZL1_vs_2013_GT-R.pdf


best ive seen is motortrend who got a 12.1@117

 

[ND4SPD]

Wow, those are pretty stale straight line numbers. That 4200lb weight is killing it. My LT1 Fbody is just slightly slower than that!

 

[Zenith]

I'm left wondering why they're so far off Chevy's claimed numbers. The Automobile test seemed to be in good conditions from the photos.

EDIT!

I apologize. Those were the 2012 Corvette Grand Sport's Numbers!
Here are the Camaro's

0-60 (no rollout): 4.3s 4.3s
0-100: 9.7s 9.5s
1/4 Mile: 12.7s @114 12.6s @ 116mph
Cornering G's: 1.03L 1.00R 1.01/.98
70-0: 162ft 162ft

In other words... not any better.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Stupid heavy cars. It's nice to know that I could take out a ZL-1 in my car with only 250whp.

 

[Keef]

Where exactly are they testing these cars, and what are the ambient temperatures? The tires Goodyear G2 tires on the ZL1 and GT500 are comparable to my NT05s...in other words, completely useless in the cold. If the temperatures were below 40 degrees I wouldn't doubt they were struggling for grip.

EDIT: The Road & Track temperature was 45 degrees. Yep, I can say for sure that grip was an issue from the cold temps. The AWD GT-R wouldn't have that issue in the slightest. As the car is retested in the spring and summer I'll bet the acceleration and handling numbers rise.

 

[Dennisch]

Why oh why does the car weigh 4200lbs? It's heavier than a Merc CLS 500!! Ridiculous.

 

[Jay]

Why oh why does the car weigh 4200lbs? It's heavier than a Merc CLS 500!! Ridiculous.

Cause it is based on a heavyweight platform Zeta, in which base car is the Commodore.. a larger yet... lighter car? Than the ZL1.

Something isn't right here.

 

[sumbrownkid]

A massive GM cockup is on the books...

 

[Dennisch]

GM really needs to scratch on their head, and then start over with designing cars.

 

[ND4SPD]

It still boggles my mind that it weighs as much as my old Ford P71 Police Interceptor.....

 

[Tornado]

4.6 to 60? 9.5 to 100? The old GT500 was faster than that!










Well, at least it doesn't weigh quite as much as a 3000GT Spyder. I mean, we'd have to throw out the entire scale.




And I haven't used that joke in so long most people probably won't get the reference.

 

[sumbrownkid]

4.6 to 60? 9.5 to 100? The old GT500 was faster than that!











Well, at least it doesn't weigh quite as much as a 3000GT Spyder. I mean, we'd have to throw out the entire scale.




And I haven't used that joke in so long most people probably won't get the reference.

I heard the 3000GT Spyder was able to alter Jupiter's orbit.

 

[Slash]

@Toronado

Funny because the old GT500 had less power too. 0-60 in 4.5 and Quarter Mile in 12.9 at 112mph. Boss 429 had more potential though.

 

[eSZee]

Well, at least it doesn't weigh quite as much as a 3000GT Spyder. I mean, we'd have to throw out the entire scale.

Joke or not, it does weigh more than the spyder. Just barely.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I'm going to laugh so hard when the '13 GT500 blows the doors off this thing.

 

[YSSMAN]

I apologize. Those were the 2012 Corvette Grand Sport's Numbers!
Here are the Camaro's

0-60 (no rollout): 4.3s 4.3s
0-100: 9.7s 9.5s
1/4 Mile: 12.7s @114 12.6s @ 116mph
Cornering G's: 1.03L 1.00R 1.01/.98
70-0: 162ft 162ft

In other words... not any better.

By comparison, here is what Car and Driver had with their instrumented test down in Arizona...

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

I'm interested to see what the others get. Furthermore, I'm interested to know whether the times will be faster with the automatic like it was in the CTS-V.

 

[Keef]

Usually the best temperatures for creating horsepower are somewhere around 60-70 degrees, and that combined with a sunny day makes for grippy Goodyear G2s. That's about where it was in Tuscon during December. When exactly did they test the car?

 

[Zenith]

Usually the best temperatures for creating horsepower are somewhere around 60-70 degrees, and that combined with a sunny day makes for grippy Goodyear G2s. That's about where it was in Tuscon during December. When exactly did they test the car?

The Automobile test that I posted was at Inde Motorsports Ranch (Same place as C&D) in Willcox, Arizona on a sunshine-blue sky day. I'm not familiar with the temperatures around there.

 

[Keef]

I don't know about theirs, but Road & Track's test was done in 40 degree weather which is where grip will become an issue with those tires and the engine won't be running quite as well.