Back in 2011, Chevrolet enthusiasts at large were left in awe at a 580 horsepower 2012 Camaro ZL1, and its Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:41.27. Its performance numbers were truly world class, and yet unassumingly so, because of a relatively humble Chevrolet badge at the front of its grille. Hopefully this time around, the world is paying attention.
The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 comes out swinging hard with more power, less weight, and the latest technology. On tap is the 6.2L supercharged LT4 V8 engine with 640 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. o-60 acceleration, quarter mile and top speed times all still remain a mystery at the time of this writing. Performance numbers we can’t wait to solve.
Weighing a full 200 lbs less than the fifth-generation ZL1, the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has found multiple places to trim the fat, which should help balance its added power with added finesse. We’re assuming that the 2017 Camaro ZL1 weighs somewhere around 3,920 lbs, as the last-generation Camaro ZL1 was at least a hefty 4,120 lbs.
Keeping the 2017 Camaro Zl1 under control are stonkin’ six-piston monobloc front calipers, with the ZL1 logo, pinching on 15.35-inch (390 mm) two-piece cast iron front rotors. Unique 20-inch forged aluminum wheels are wrapped in staggered Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, with a compound and construction said to be developed exclusively for the Camaro ZL1. They are 285/30ZR20 front and 305/30ZR20 in the rear. Thick.
If you’ve been paying attention, you may have been expecting the LT4, the big tires and the reduced weight. Though you may not have been prepared to read about a six-speed manual transmission, and a 10-speed (yes, TEN!) automatic transmission. With 7.39 overall gear ratio. Which means much of the gears are all about delivering power through the electronic limited slip differential and to the rear wheels as fast as possible, while performing blistering fast shifts. Fuel economy can take a back seat here (though an EPA rating is still pending).
The latest in technology found in the 2017 Camaro ZL1 includes an updated magnetic ride suspension, Performance Traction Management, custom launch control and drive mode selector. The Performance Data Recorder is available, while Apple CarPlay is standard.
Meanwhile, the design of the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 screams performance. A widened stance, a slick hood extractor that reminds us of the bygone Corvette L88, a wide open grille, and enough duct work to make an AC unit jealous. 11 heat exchangers in total. And did we mention the flowtie? Flowtie! Not to be outdone, the interior features a flat-bottom steering wheel, Recaro seats with red piping and stitching, and ZL1 badging. And finally, sexy red seat belts. Delicious.
Expect the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to launch later this year, with pricing to be announced closer to that time frame. Mark your calendars, people. We may have another pound-for-pound champion on the way.
Comments
This thing is gonna be a savage beast for sure!!
Dayuuuuum!
Chevy is just killing it!!! What a Beast!! And I love that all these new toys will be available this year. It must be good to be on Camaro internal team these days.
No wonder Ford is scrambling to bring the next Mustang out years earlier. It must suck when your schedule is turn upside down by opposition.
This is the 1st model to get the 10 speed auto but there will be at least 8 models by the end of 2018 to get the 10 speed. FYI
That’s correct. Not info one that:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2016/03/general-motors-will-introduce-10-speed-automatic-on-eight-vehicles-by-2018/
C6 ZR1 wheels much?? Looks good.
On other news, after taking a bruising from the mid-level Camaro SS, furds so-called “highest performance” model, the rustang GayTranny350, is on the highest level of suicide watch upon finding out that GM will unleash the new ZL1.
You’ve got to love General Motors take no prisoners approach.. with the realization that the future is now because the GM of yesteryear would have waited a couple of years before introducing the ZL1; not just a year after the new C6 Camaro’s introduction.
If I can get this same powertrain package in the Silverado I’ll be a happy boy!
Well played Chevrolet. Well played.
Better than the Mona Lisa, just WOW.
Wow…..
Nothing else Left to say.
Here kitty kitty kitty!
All Done! bring on more competitors
Wow!! Outstanding work by the Chevrolet performance team. I can’t wait to see one in person.
Very nice, bet it’s base msrp will be in the high 50’s if not cracking the 60k mark. Looking forward to the performance numbers. Makes you wonder how a Z/28 will be equipped and what the price point will be.
A ’16 2SS coupe with a heavy load of options can get into the $55-57K range. The ZL1 will be $65K+ at minimum and maybe even touch $80 large with the 10 speed and all the boxes checked.
I suggest you build and price as I did. With all performance options, the 2SS is similar to the ZL1 minus the blower, the price is around 52k with ground effects. I’m not talking every option as the base ZL1 will certainly not come with all of them. MSRP for a 2015 base ZL1 is 57.8k. with dest. and gas guzzler. The chevy performance cost difference between the LT1 and LT4 is 5k. Add 52 and 5 =57k. Hence my belief of high 50’s ,perhaps low to mid 60’s which will be more than the outgoing ZL1. This is merely speculation and time will tell but I don’t go with your 80k figure or anything close as your encroaching on Z06 Corvette territory and between the two, there is NO comparison. Time will tell…
You can not option a 2ss coupe to 55k fr the factory. Only if you do dealer add options.
No kidding? Please go to chevy’s site and build and price a max FACTORY option camaro 2ss and see what the numbers tell you. Please note I stated 52k with all performance options. My 5k add on is the price difference at GM Performance Parts between the LT1 and LT4 crate motors, which is the basic difference between an LT1 2SS fully performance optioned camaro and what a possible comparably equipped LT4 ZL1 will cost. If you don’t get the math, sorry and sometimes you need to research a little deeper, even within GM, to find what’s applicable. Again, 52k for the perfomance loaded 2SS + 5k for the LT4’s blower=57k. If you pay over 60-65k, well,……..Sorry if I missed your point or got some figures wrong but please do the research and let me know. 😉
If you read carefully there is quite a bit more to this car than the last Gen ZL1. 11 heat exchangers, standard ZL1 Recaro seats and specific compound Goodyears, all which are standard, those 3 items alone add $3-5K to the tab over the last car.
Your still deluded as there will be options and not part of a base package. if I’m wrong, I apologize but these are OPTIONS, not base msrp.
Alright GM, you’ve officially piqued my interest!! I have absolutely no doubt that this new ZL1 will go down as one of the greatest performance cars in history! And I’m not even much of a Camaro fan!
And for the first time, I’d rather have the automatic over the manual tranny!
I can’t wait for Ford’s response to this!!!
Very impressive. Great job GM. Think i’m gonna be selling my Mustang GT soon…
Well, Mustang GT is definitely a great car, but this ZL1 version monster will eat regular Mustang GT for breakfast
(though this ZL1 version will be obviously way more expensive).
And when 640 hp isn’t enough.. Callaway has just introduced their SC740 kit which replaces the LT4’s 1,740cc supercharger rotor with a 2,300cc unit that will take output to 740 horsepower.