The Chevrolet Camaro team continues to pull out all the toys in a very short period of time. The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE put the Shelby GT350 on notice in Chicago, the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 put the world on notice here in New York, and now the Camaro Z/28 is coming to likely decimate.
Autoblog has captured the first photos of the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, and its most noticeable feature is the massive rear wing hanging out under the generously applied camouflage. Per Z/28 history, the wing is likely full functional, and very necessary to keep the car planted on the ground.
Other tips to give away this Camaro’s track intentions are the wheels, plucked straight from a previous-generation Z/28, and the thick rubber wrapping them.
We have no real information on what will power this latest Camaro Z/28, but our bet is it will stay naturally aspirated, leaving the forced induction to the ZL1. As far as when we will see the Z/28 in the flesh, it’s quite possible the Camaro team pulls a knockout round at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, revealing a Camaro variant at three of the largest auto shows in the world this year.
Comments
Wow, I’m wondering what N/A engine do they have for there disposal to use? Would they carry over the 7.0 I doubt it. Maybe the z/28 will now be a straight track version of the ZL1 with same engine and all but stripped down? Like how ford did with the gt350 and R.
Either way exciting times ….
I’ve been speculating/researching the possibilities what might go into the next Z/28 based on past and present available engines and after market NA builds. Both Hotrod and Superchevy have articles that take the LT1 in similar directions but different parts and displacement. I can’t provide links as my posts being deleted which is BS, IMO.
What I’ve speculated before is we may see another LT variant. Possibly the LT2 or 3 based on the LS7 bore & stroke but seeing as there is no word on such a beast I find it highly unlikely they would build a new LT 7.0l engine UNLESS it was perhaps meant for the new Grand sport Vette as an upgrade which then could be used for the Z.
Based on this line of thought and LT1 increased HP over the LS3 by 30hp, an LT2/LT3 7.0l would put it approx. 535hp vs 505hp for the LS7. This would put the Z squarely positioned to defeat the GT350R.
Next line of thought would be this. Based on a variant of the above mentioned articles and perhaps a new 4.0″ stroke crank for the LT1 yet retaining the LT1 pistons and rods, this would yield a displacement of 6.81l which would most likely be called a 6.8l and 415 cu in. based on LT1 hp per liter, the 6.8l would yield 509-510hp. Not far from ford’s 5.2 voodoo at 526hp so a cam adjustment would easily put the LT2/3 8.1l well above ford and perhaps beyond the 535hp of a speculated 7.0l LT motor.
Either way, there needs to be a segment in between that of a NA 460HP LT1 and the blown LT4 650HP and a stroker LT1 displacing 6.81L would fill it nicely in both the new Vette GS and the Z/28. This stroker 6.81l would have excellent torque for a NA engine as well which really helps you a great deal on a track based car with appropriate traction, of course. Nurburgring here we come.
The Z/28’s ‘refreshed’ LS7 already puts out an honest 525-530 at the crank. This engine is not the reason it’s behind the GT350R. The heavy, outdated platform is the main reason (dating back to 2003 I believe). The LT1 is around 475ish at the crank…mind you it has smaller intake/exhaust ports and slightly smaller cam profile than the LS3….and AFM. A proper 7L LT variant (of the LS7) with low rotating mass (titanium bits) and AFM delete…I’d suspect would turn out probably 560-570ish at the crank…maybe more.
My point was that an engine between an LT1 and LT4 should be used for this flagship Z. Has anyone heard of any news that GM was doing a 7.0l LT? I haven’t so my thought was that if GM wasn’t going to tool up for a new 7.0l LT then there is a cost effectice alternative with a stroker LT1 displacing 6.81L. Yes an upgrade to the LT1 yet still below the LT4. If they also made the rotating assembly available through GM Performance there would be many interested LT1 owners. The only requirements would be engineering the rotating assembly and not a whole new block. The DI system from the LT4 could be used as well.
Using your figures and being the 6.2l is really 6.16l, here the 6.81would produce 525HP”ish” based on 77HP per liter. As I stated above, with a little more cam, more could be achieved so an LT1 6.2l produces your 475HP and my LT2 6.8l stroker is 525HP+ with more cam and isn’t that better in the new Z? Unless you believe they will use an LS7? I don’t as the LS7 was a costly beast to begin with at 16,5K and the LT1 is only 11K. Add 1K for a stroker LT1 and you still have a beast for 5k less than an LS7 with no retooling.
they already make a Ls3 with 525 hp for 9k so the\y could just improve on that a lil bit to 550+ makes the most since to me stroker kit makes it a 408 so a easy 580+ hp save\ even more $$$
I wonder what the wing will do to rearward visibility…. j/k 😀
Seriously though, I can’t wait to hear the track times on this monster.
Bring back the IROCZ Z28 like the late 80s early nineties instead of 305 to 350 engine . Crank up the 455 hp. To 525 hp with special intake exhaust and cam package. Throw on some killer re-makes of the original IROCZ rims all black chromed out. This will decimate all! T-tops????
Rob,
IROC has been defunct since the mid-2000’s,
GM is also trying to keep the Camaro modern.
SS is still used in the Chevy line along with the RPO (Regular Production Option) codes.
so you will see Z28 & ZL1
As much as some like the past of the IROCZ, that is something that would probably hurt the current Camaros newer image.
Around 600 HP and the rear wing design based- like Z06 treatment…..
ahh man the gluttony!! I’m lovin’ it!
Dr. F
I would venture to guess it will see the supercharged engine or a NA engine with a few more ponies than the SS engine.
There is more power in the LT1 engine and even more in the LT4 so both can grow when the next Corvette model arrives. GM is not going to get all goofy with the engine formulas. This is too costly in today regulated market. If not I would love to see them take the RPM range up even more in a car like this but I do not expect that.
One has to remember with DI and NA both can take much more compression and boost than most engines.
I think it would be smart to offer both engines making the SC engine an option.
The spoiler will not be an issue. One I expect that they will use clear plexiglass in with the higher parts as they did on the Z06.
Second if it is as fast as we expect nothing behind you matters anyways. LOL!
Finally I wish some folks would understand IROC is dead. Not only the cars but the series is long gone and GM does not even own the name. Going back to that is like passing up an Armani Suit for a JC Penny off the rack.
I don’t know about you guys but I can hear a supercharger whine or something in one of the videos of this car attacking Nürburgring when played through earphone.