Official: 2012 Camaro ZL-1 w/550HP

[CodeRedR51]

We've had some rather cold days this winter. Lately though it's hovered in the mid to low 70's.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

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.

40* means denser air than normal. Wouldn't that mean more power?

 

[Zenith]

40* means denser air than normal. Wouldn't that mean more power?

The tire temperature is far more important.

 

[Keef]

40* means denser air than normal. Wouldn't that mean more power?

Theoretically yes, but it doesn't add up on a dyno.

 

[Tornado]

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

Oh god. Women and children first!

 

[YSSMAN]

When exactly did they test the car?

According to the C/D Test Sheet, December 5th, 2011. If I'm reading the sheet right, the outside temperature was 46*F. Also of note, the car was very green with only 770 miles on the odometer.

The test sheet reflects the published numbers, so I don't think these have been temperature/pressure corrected.

 

[Keef]

Well then don't pay attention to any of my theories. As it turns out, the ZL1 is just plain slow no matter who tests it.

 

[Dennisch]

Well then don't pay attention to any of my theories. As it turns out, the ZL1 is just plain slow no matter who tests it.

Who would have guessed that, with it weighing 4200lbs. That's 2000+ kg. I, I, no, it is just wrong, how good it may look. They need to shave off atleast 600-800lbs to make it a proper car.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well then don't pay attention to any of my theories. As it turns out, the ZL1 is just plain slow no matter who tests it.

I'm guessing that there was something wrong with the car, or that the 6MT version is slower than the 6A version. Take a look at the times on the CTS-V Wagon, they're very similar despite being slightly heavier and down 25 BHP. I look forward to another test against the GT500.

They need to shave off atleast 600-800lbs to make it a proper car.

I'd still say there is at least a 70% chance that Chevrolet decides to do a proper Z/28. Take a look at the SSX Concept from 2010...

That right there is a winning combination. In the light of the BOSS 302, and the GT500, Chevrolet should do it. The thing is, it all depends on where their priorities lie going forward. The ZL1 is a substantial effort at making a "grown up" Camaro. Basically, an American GT car. Its pretty clear that they're happy with it, but will probably crank up the power next year... Because, GT500.

But... The next Corvette, and the GMT900 replacement will likely be the top priority at GM right now. Or, they wait for the next Camaro... Which is apparently due in 2014, based on the smaller Alpha chassis.

 

[Mac K]

Camaro SSX >3. Wow that thing is sexy, if GM decided to produce them, I'd be at the dealership everyday drooling and thinking nasty thoughts I know I did when they showed it off at SEMA. I have something for you guys to ponder though, say you were to buy a brand new 2SS Camaro(which was the top of the line before the ZL1) fully loaded. If you were to Supercharge it, modify the suspension, and any other things you deem necessary, could you potentially have a car just as good as the ZL1 or maybe even better?

 

[YSSMAN]

I have something for you guys to ponder though, say you were to buy a brand new 2SS Camaro(which was the top of the line before the ZL1) fully loaded. If you were to Supercharge it, modify the suspension, and any other things you deem necessary, could you potentially have a car just as good as the ZL1 or maybe even better?

In a word, yes.

Hennessey HPE 600

Berger SS Camaro

Callaway C18 Camaro

SLP ZL585 Camaro

SMS 620 Camaro

That's a smattering of what's available out there. Give or take, you're going to see tuners offering supercharged Camaro SS' that are capable of 550-650 BHP, modified interiors, and other fancy bits. Thing is, for the money, I'm not sure if you're getting the same thing...

Take for example the Berger SS Camaro. Berger Chevrolet is located here in my hometown, and has been selling special-edition Camaros since 1967 with their partnership with the COPO program. The 2011 Berger SS threw on a supercharger, modified wheels and tires, a tweaked exterior and interior, and I believe a slightly modified suspension. It all comes down with an extra $22K attached to the sticker of any Camaro SS you provide ($32K+). As always, there are a lot of extras you can add to make that price go even higher.

So, give or take, you end up spending the same money for a little less power, but some increased collectability. Thing is, execution of these modified Camaros is all over the board. Trusted brands are going to do it right, other ones won't be nearly as good as a production car. For that matter, there are things that the ZL1 will have that the others do not. Magnaride being the thing that sticks out in my mind most.

 

[ThAtBoYnIcK17]

Just throwing this fact out there the ZL1 has 580hp and 553ft.lb not 550hp

 

[CodeRedR51]

Actually according to Chevy it's 556 ft/lb.

In any case, I wouldn't even consider the Hennessey Camaro as I'm sure it costs more than the ZL-1. Not sure about the others.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Actually according to Chevy it's 556 ft/lb.

In any case, I wouldn't even consider the Hennessey Camaro as I'm sure it costs more than the ZL-1. Not sure about the others.

If its Hennesey, expect to see your money vanish.

 

[Tornado]

In any case, I wouldn't even consider the Hennessey Camaro as I'm sure it costs more than the ZL-1.

And then you don't even get the car.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Exactly!

 

[Dennisch]

And then you don't even get the car.

Maybe some bits and pieces of it, and the bill.

 

[Eric.]

Or you could get your Camaro SS for less than $35k and spend the next $20k bolting on parts yourself.

Chevy seems to make a big deal that the ZL1 is track ready and that the GT500 needs all these add on parts to be covered under warranty on the track. My friend loves to point out that you have to pay extra for Brembos on a Shelby or 5.0, but the base SS has them, therefore Chevy wins.

 

[Zenith]

Or you could get your Camaro SS for less than $35k and spend the next $20k bolting on parts yourself.

Chevy seems to make a big deal that the ZL1 is track ready and that the GT500 needs all these add on parts to be covered under warranty on the track. My friend loves to point out that you have to pay extra for Brembos on a Shelby or 5.0, but the base SS has them, therefore Chevy wins.

I find this quite funny. What if the roles were reversed and the Camaro was producing more power? We all know that Chevy would be championing the power and weight advantage over a few add-ons. It's strange how the power advantage is no longer important once you lose it.

Onto this options business, 90% of ZL-1's and GT500's will never see the track. The things that make the ZL1 "track ready" that the GT500 lacks are track only items. The most relevance that the transmission oil cooler will ever be for the owners will be as a dumb bragging point.

How on earth do they brag about being "track-ready" when this behemoth weighs over two tons? Maybe Chevy should include a section for owners detailing how to remove seats and that fancy stereo before they dare call their car "track ready".

 

[Mac K]

Or you could get your Camaro SS for less than $35k and spend the next $20k bolting on parts yourself.

Chevy seems to make a big deal that the ZL1 is track ready and that the GT500 needs all these add on parts to be covered under warranty on the track. My friend loves to point out that you have to pay extra for Brembos on a Shelby or 5.0, but the base SS has them, therefore Chevy wins.

Thats what I was thinking, the SS looks better anyways..

 

[Tornado]

My friend loves to point out that you have to pay extra for Brembos on a Shelby or 5.0, but the base SS has them, therefore Chevy wins.

Does one really need Brembos when your car doesn't weigh as much as the Moon?

 

[-Fred-]

Road & Track put it against an R35 for no apparent reason (aside proving it's slower in every way when compared to a 90k twin turbo, 4wd compucar that weighs about 200lbs less) in this month's issue... And it makes the GT-R look slim and svelte, when pictured together.

 

[YSSMAN]

The fun part is that its still smaller than the Dodge Challenger.

 

[squirlybmx]

Now I'm no expert on differnt forms of electronic launch control, but if I remember correctly, the clutch of the 458 italia only lasts a few launches then has to be replaced. I can only assume that Ferrari uses a higher quality clutch than Chevrolet. With all the people who will be buying this and saying in a somewhat less internety fashion "Z0mg launch control all day brah", a lot of clutches are going to be replaced and I'm sure a lot of upper middle class people who are not so educated in cars will be pretty pissed that the clutch went. Along with all the other things that are impotant when launching a car like engine temp, trans temp, etc. I feel like a lot of these things will be on lifts in the service department pretty often.

 

[Keef]

I can only assume that Ferrari uses a higher quality clutch than Chevrolet.

Quality doesn't necessarily mean it's tougher. Ferrari probably uses a higher quality clutch than Freightliner, but there's no doubt which one is actually better.

That aside, I haven't heard about this brittle 458 clutch. I know Lamborghini has had issues in the past, but that's to be expected on a 3600 pound, AWD, V12 beast machine.

 

[Tornado]

And problems with the V12 Lambos was usually linkage related rather than the clutch.

 

[Zenith]

Fun fact: Driving a Camaro next to a Challenger will alter the orbit of the Moon.

Now I'm no expert on differnt forms of electronic launch control, but if I remember correctly, the clutch of the 458 italia only lasts a few launches then has to be replaced.

You're thinking of the 430. The 458 has a much better system that can deal with the stress all day.

What Keef said. It also depends on how rough the LC is on the clutch itself.

 

[Blackbird.]

My friend loves to point out that you have to pay extra for Brembos on a Shelby or 5.0, but the base SS has them, therefore Chevy wins.

Maybe for the track but they really don't need Brembos on the road. Mine does not have the Brembo package and it stops perfectly fine.

Besides the Mustangs you will see on the track are most likely going to be BOSS 302s not GTs or GT500s.

 

[Slash]

Most people in my area don't even care about all the extra stuff as long as it goes fast. Half of the arguments here are about what has more power and how much power you can squeeze out of said engine.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Most people in my area don't even care about all the extra stuff as long as it goes fast. Half of the arguments here are about what has more power and how much power you can squeeze out of said engine.

The engine numbers are pretty. But that weight figure is just killing it. And with the recent trend of cutting weight, this seems like lazy effort to most auto enthusiasts. What all does this car need to carry if it's performance oriented? No one considers buying a ZL1 because it's pretty and is civilized. A normal Camaro can achieve that for a lot less.