There’s surmounting evidence the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro may be one of the best performance cars on the market at this moment. Despite its downfalls (such as its exterior styling and sightlines) there’s no denying the sixth-generation Camaro ticks many of the necessary performance car boxes.
That’s why the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE was invited to Motor Trend‘s Best Driver’s Car competition. However, the story may not be the fact it matches and ties the Shelby Mustang GT350 R and the BMW M4 GTS. It might be that this 2017 Camaro SS 1LE is quicker than a fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.
Keep in mind, the previous Camaro Z/28 was an all-out track warrior, not suited for daily driving in the slightest. It had one speaker, no air conditioning and a giant 7.0-liter LS7 under the hood. The 2017 Camaro SS 1LE is simply a performance package added on to a standard Camaro 1SS trim.
So, how’d it do? The fifth-generation Camaro Z/28 managed to scoot around Laguna Seca raceway in 1:37.82. The Camaro SS 1LE did it in 1:37.78. As young Vin Diesel once said, it doesn’t matter if it’s by an inch or a mile: winning’s winning.
Comments
Not really a surprise as the Camaro 1LE’s main modification is to the car’s suspension for improved handling as what would be interesting is how much slower is the Camaro V6 1LE vs the Camaro z/28.
“There is no replacement like Displacement” I am just bummed they keep comparing to the GT350 “R” and not the non-R. Ford must buying a lot of dinners and drinks
no worries the Z28 will be here for next year to spank the R
Well what was interesting is they tested the V6 1LE and it was significantly faster than the Mustang V6 by 11 seconds a lap.
The V6 Camaro 1LE was also faster than the V8 Mustang GT.
Appears there is a replacement for displacement when it comes to lap times. At least comparing a 1LE V6 to a V8 GT.
The real question will be what will the new Z/28 do with the larger stickier tires and more suspension tuning with a yet to be announced engine. The new Shelby had better be ready for an upgrade.
I might be way off….. but…. seeing the difference in the 350 and the GT I’m wondering if Ford knew GM was going to step it up. If the track star title works for GM and they start selling more Camaros to clear out the large inventory problem, Ford could throw some “Shelby” magic on the the GT and ecoboost/V6 and charge more and increase profit. They could drop the GT500 right after the Z28 has been released and steel some glory. Or if the Camaro sales plan doesn’t work out they could stay back as a nice road car and continue to enjoy the higher volume with smaller profits.
No denying GM is making some damn fast cars, just waiting to see how Ford reacts if at all. The faster and more expensive the cars get the less I’m likely going to own one. It’s a nice time to be an enthusiast if you can pay to play.
Well first off all cars are too expensive. When a Malibu is $30K plus for a 4 cylinder FWD sedan I reather think that Chevy is doing well at the price they have on the Camaro.
Also as time goes on the V8 models will become more and more expensive to limit sales as CAFE kicks into high gear.
GM has two ways to sell the V8. One is to limit the numbers sold and cut people off when that number is reached. Or they can raise the price and let the market limit sales and try to force people into the smaller engines. This is why we have a 1LE V6 now and may see it in the Turbo 4 too.
I know people hate to hear this but that is how it is. Lets face it they can not cut anymore cylinders and they can not add hybrid technology at a lower price. There are few options.
In other words if you want a car like this now is the time to buy.
GM is doing well with the price YES but clearly they expected more.
Just saying Ford may have expected this, and yes the prices of all cars are high but a good portion of these cars are summer only cars and some need to balance two payments. Or possibly it’s a play vehicle and you may still need a family minivan.
I’m not selling this as a fact, just a theory.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/chevrolet-camaro-1le-at-lightning-lap-2016-feature
The SS 1LE was 2:54.8
350R 2:51.8
V6 1LE 3:04
Mustang V6 3:15.6
GT was slower with 100 HP more but they did not give the time.
I believe I read somewhere the v6 1le is almost 1 sec faster than the gt in the lighting laps.
That’s the 2016 SS 1LE. I wonder if the 2017 has any changes
Well the 6th gen 1le camaros now are considered my17 camaros they were built in 2016 but they are considered my17.
http://www.autoomobile.com/news/2017-chevrolet-camaro-1le-vs-ford-mustang-gt/40037023/
Scott3 this is where I got my information between the mustang gt and v6 1le. Sorry it took so long on finding the information. I couldn’t remember where I seen it.
The 2014-15 Z/28 is quickly becoming a better deal all the time. Very lightly used examples are available for $48-55K, which isn’t exactly cheap, but neither is the new Camaro. Another great track car that can be had for $48-55K is……..the 2012-13 Z06, powered by the same LS7 as the Z/28. MT did a test with a ’12 Z06/Z07 at Laguna Seca and went 1:34.43.
The new generation interior is so much better than the 5th gen. Particularly the instrument cluster.
Otherwise, you are right in every sense. I like the used prices I’m seeing for the z/28.
We know the 1LE was at Nurburgring. Can’t wait for all the times to come out on it there along with the ZL1