Comparing The 2017 Chevy Camaro V6 1LE To Its V8-Powered Brother

August 3, 2016 4:35 pm

The 2017 Chevy Camaro re-introduces the 1LE track handling package into the Camaro lineup. Like before, its purpose is to make the already-capable sixth-gen Camaro an even more potent sports car. And, as luck may have it, a natural byproduct of that goal is even more aggressive looks.

To save you time, we spent the last four hours combing through the 2017 Camaro order guide line-by-line to find out precisely what the 1LE package brings to the table, and to investigate how it differs on the Camaro SS compared to the Camaro LT. See how much we value your convenience?

2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE - 2016 Chicago Auto Show 004

2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show

The Basics

Before we go any further, there are four basic items about the new 1LE package that we need to explain first.

1. Two Engines

The 2017 Camaro 1LE performance handling package is offered on two models: the 6.2L LT1 V8-powered Camaro SS and the 3.6L LGX V6-powered Camaro LT. The V6 model represents a departure from tradition, since the fifth-gen Camaro only offered the 1LE package with the V8-powered SS model.

2. Three Trim Levels

The 1LE package is offered across three trims levels of the 2017 Camaro:

2017 Camaro 1LE Availability By Model & Trim Level
Make & Model	Body Style	Engine	Model	Trim Level	Official Name
2017 Chevrolet Camaro	Coupe	6.2L V8 LT1	SS	1SS	Camaro SS 1LE
2017 Chevrolet Camaro	Coupe	3.6L V6 LGX	LT	1LT	Camaro LT 1LE
2017 Chevrolet Camaro	Coupe	3.6L V6 LGX	LT	2LT	Camaro LT 1LE

Those looking to get the 1LE package with Turbo 2.0L I4 LTG or the 2SS trim level are out of luck… though we’ll keep our fingers crossed that this changes in subsequent model years of the Camaro Six.

3. Coupe Only

The 1LE package is offered exclusively on the hard-top coupe body style. Convertible fans are out of luck here due to all kinds of structural rigidity (or stiffness) properties that are foregone by removing the roof.

4. 6-Speed Stick Only

The final requirement to get the 1LE package is the 6-speed manual transmission, which happens to include Active Rev Matching on the Camaro SS.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro V6 1LE

The Details

So then, what is the difference between the Camaro SS 1LE and the LT 1LE?

Compared to the SS 1LE, the Camaro V6 1LE:

Has less potent brakes
Has a less capable limited slip differential, but not the electronic unit found on the SS
Lacks the Magnetic Ride Control
Has smaller wheels and tires
Offers the Recaro performance front bucket seats as an option, while the SS 1LE has them standard
Offers the head-up display as an option, while the SS 1LE has the feature standard
Doesn’t offer an auxiliary engine cooler and transmission oil cooler

And, of course, the LT 1LE is also 120 horsepower less potent and has a slightly different front fascia, with the most noticeable difference being its vertical LED accents of the V6 model versus the horizontal units of the V8. All that isn’t to say anything negative about the 2017 Camaro LT 1LE: it’s still an extremely impressive and capable vehicle… just not as impressive or capable as the SS 1LE.

Following is the complete comparison between the two models, for your viewing pleasure.

2017 Camaro 1LE Equipment & Features Comparison
Model	2017 Camaro LT	LT RPO	2017 Camaro SS	SS RPO
Engine	3.6L V6 DI VVT – 335 hp, 284 lb-ft of torque	LGX	6.2L V8 DI – 455 hp, 455 lb-ft of torque	LT1
Transmission	6-speed manual	MN6	6-speed manual with Active Rev Matching	MN6
Package	LT 1LE Performance Package	A1X	SS 1LE Performance Package	A1Y
Brakes	Brembo 4-piston front performance, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc brakes	J55	Brembo Red 6-piston front monobloc calipers, 4-piston rear calipers, 2-piece performance rotors, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc brakes	J6M
LSD	limited slip differential with 3.27 ratio	G80	electronic limited slip differential with 3.73 ratio***	G96
Exhaust	dual-mode performance exhaust	NPP	dual-mode performance exhaust	NPP
Suspension	performance suspension, including dampers, rear cradle mounts, ball-jointed rear toe links and stabilizer bars	FE3	performance suspension	FE4
Adjustable Suspension System	not included and not available	—	Magnetic Ride Control	F55
Splitter	satin black front splitter	FTF	satin black front splitter	FTJ
Headlamps	high intensity discharge headlamps	T4F	high intensity discharge headlamps*	T4F
Hood Decor	satin black hood wrap	DSM	satin black hood wrap	DSM
Spoiler	satin black rear blade spoiler	D5S	satin black rear blade spoiler	D5S
Tire Brand & Model	Goodyear Eagle F1 summer-only run-flats	R0F	Goodyear Eagle F1 summer-only run-flats	R0G
Front Tires	245/40ZR20	R0F	285/30R20	R0G
Rear Tires	275/35ZR20	R0F	305/30R20	R0G
Wheel Type	black forged aluminum wheels	56Z	satin graphite forged aluminum wheels	RSK
Front Wheels	20" x 8.5"	56Z	20" x 10"	RSK
Rear Wheels	20" x 9.5",56Z,20"" x 11""	RSK
Steering Wheel	microfiber suede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel	N26	microfiber suede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel	N26
Shifter	microfiber suede-wrapped shift knob	KS9	microfiber suede-wrapped shift knob	KS9
Seats	standard sport front bucket seats / available Recaro performance front bucket seats	A50 / AQJ	Recaro performance front bucket seats	AQJ
HUD	not included in LT 1LE package; available in Convenience and Lighting Package (ZN2)	—	head-up display	UV6
Oil Cooler	external engine oil cooler*	KC4	external engine oil cooler**	KC4
Cooling System	extra capacity cooling system*	V03	extra capacity cooling system**	V03
Rear Diff Cooler	rear differential cooler*	KNR	rear differential cooler**	KNR
Aux Engine Coolant	not included and not available	—	auxiliary engine coolant**	V18
Transmission Oil Cooler	not included and not available	—	transmission oil cooler**	KD1

Legend:

* This feature may be listed under Heavy-Duty Cooling and Brake Package (Y4Q)
** This feature is not specific to the 1LE package, since it is included on all Camaro SS models
*** This feature replaces the limited slip differential (G80) of SS models not equipped with the 1LE package