2017 Chevrolet Camaro V6 1LE Only Four Tenths Slower Than A Hellcat At Lightning Lap: Video
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If there was a shocking vehicle at this year’s Car and Driver Lightning Lap, it would be the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro V6 LT 1LE. We knew the track package added to the more mundane 3.6-liter LGX V6 engine would be quick, but the results don’t lie: this is not a vehicle to joke about.
If you happen to encounter a Ford Focus RS on a road course, know you could possibly, maybe potentially be quicker. Per the 2016 Lightning Lap, the Camaro V6 1LE is just one tenth slower than the boosted hot hatch from Ford.
If you want to make all your Hellcat friends feel sad, the V6 1LE is also only four tenths slower around Virgina International Raceway.
So, what did the Camaro V6 1LE out-track? Two contenders: the Lexus GS-F and Audi TTS. Not bad from just a V6.
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That’s awesome but if I’m going to pay the as tested price of $43,185 I might as well buy the SS with the V8
SS at that price is much lesser equipped.
Faster than a V8 Mustang GT too.
It was 11 seconds a lap faster than the Ford Mustang V6.
Actually – that 11 (11.6) seconds is faster than the current Mustang EcoBoost *with* the Performance Package.
The V6 1LE was faster than the 2011 V6 Mustang (and 2006 350Z Track), the previous LL1 leaders, by 8.5 seconds.
Incredibly impressive.
Very impressive. Now in snow…
That’s what you have a 4X4 Silverado for!
Hell it should not be an issue. I drove a Fiero for 3 winters on Eagle GT tires.
Never had an issue but Pontiac did build excitement!
I also drove a 72 GMC Sprint SP with a BBC in it. All nose weight and no tail but even on performance tires I got around.
With todays traction aides and limited slip diffs driving in the snow is pretty easy. I actually prefer RWD as you can steer with the gas as much as the wheel.
We used to drift long before it became a sport.
This v-6 is really a sweet heart and makes sense for most of us.
The Camaro is a very nice car to be sure but I still miss Firebird and Trans Am. Oh wait! I still have a red ’97 Formula with T-Tops so Pontiac is still very much alive in my driveway. I sure love that car.
GM rocks!
A Hellcat is a 1 act pony–straight line acceleration. Other than that is a pig!
and…designed by Holden… but that’s none of my business..
Holden only builds a version of this engine, as does Suzuki. It was designed by the same team who designed the EcoTec four cylinder which was a group consisting of GM Powertrain engineers, Saab engineers, and Opel engineers. Holden had the job of developing smaller engines (Holden 3.2, LP1 and LP9 Turbo) as well as their own Holden 3.6 HFV6 (called the Alloytec V6) for local models. Holden and Cadillac jointly designed the original HFV6, ancestor to the modern re-designed GM 3.6. This engine is the fourth generation LGX.
There has been a LP1, LP9, LAU, LF1, LFW, LY7, LLT, LFX, LCS, LF3, LF4, LFR, LGW, this the LGX, and a LGZ version.
“Starting with 2016 Cadillac Models a new generation of High Feature V6s were developed.[18] These new engines have redesigned block architectures with bore centers increased from 103 mm (4.055 in) on prior HFV6 engines to 106 mm (4.173 in) and a redesigned cooling system to target the hottest areas while also facilitating faster warm-up. They also incorporate engine start-stop technology, cylinder-deactivation, 2-stage oil pumps, and updated variable valve timing featuring intermediate park technology for late-intake valve closure. Both engines will debut in the 2016 Cadillac CT6.”
‘The 2017 Camaro V6 1LE proved nearly as quick as a Hellcat’ (just four tenths of a second slower) demonstrates in the real world where you’re not going just in a straight line, having a sophisticated suspension can compensate for over twice as much horsepower (it makes you wonder whether composite hood, trunk and doors would be enough to push the Camaro V6 1LE over the Hellcat).
I think that simply better tires would do that. A Pilot Super Sport would certainly be a huge improvement over the RunFlat Goodyears.