Power hungry Camaro enthusiasts fear not. The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the ZL1 1LE are far from the stopping point in the pursuit of performance. That sentiment comes straight from Camaro chief engineer Al Oppenheiser, according to a new Hagerty interview published on Monday.
When asked if Oppenheiser could shed some light on the next Camaro performance variant now that the team “capped” the lineup with the ZL1 1LE, the lead engineer replied, “Who said we capped the line?”
Throughout the interview, Oppenheiser made it fairly clear a drag package is very likely in the near future, inspired by work done with the Camaro Drag Development team. A Dodge Demon rival isn’t totally off the table, either. However, we’re still missing an integral Camaro variant: the Z/28.
We haven’t learned much in the way of solid details, but we can connect a few dots and make some inferences.
Recent spy shots showed what could be a very early Camaro Z/28 test mule. The car featured ZL1 1LE appearances, lacked the rear spoiler, but also wore carbon-ceramic brakes. Prior to the photos, a 2017 report claimed a new 5.5-liter DOHC small-block V8 engine would grace the sixth-generation Camaro Z/28. At the time, it was pure rumor. Now, the evidence is piling up.
The mid-engine C8 Corvette is also rumored to introduce two new DOHC V8 engines, and one of them will reportedly displace 5.5-liters, the same displacement rumored for the Camaro Z/28. Of course, we could also see the 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1‘s 6.2-liter LT5 V8 engine find its way to the Camaro, but that seems more suited for something other than a Z/28 since the engine boasts forced induction.
Oppenheiser made it clear that his team is looking all around to stay at the top of the muscle car segment and said “we’re looking at any available horsepower that will fit in the car.” He called it “a very vague way of saying we’re still playing.” We’ll just have to stay tuned.
Comments
Whewww!
I am glad you cleared all that up. I thought they had hit a wall lol!
There are many options out there that they will apply. Just a matter of how much you will pay.
Odds are great GM will offer higher HP but still let you turn left, right and run a quarter mile.
If they chose they could make a street legal COPO it the need arises.
They need lower end models that are more appealing first. The performance is there but the appearance isnt. They need a better redesign than we go in 2016
Personally still want to see an entry level V8 option like an L83 that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Would give many more people a way into the segment with the option to upgrade power and handling when and how they choose in a cost effective manner. Would like to know what the manufacturing cost difference is between the 3.6 LGX and 5.3 L83. Perhaps the difference, + or -, would be the right price for an L83 V8 Camaro???
This generation Camaro is possibly my favorite hands down. Looks-wise it simply blows away the Mustang and Charger in every form sans the base model. Performance wise I’m convinced that a LT5 powered variant could be shown before the end of this year.. furthermore with the way things are going for the Vette… GM could finally be in the works of autonomizing the name from Chevy and making it its own brand.. while at the same time making the Camaro the new flagship for Chevy
Why haven’t the godogs at Chevy brought back some version of the malibu SS ? Since they r getting rid of the impala SS.
A decade ago it was mandated that only worthy models would receive the SS moniker. Everything else would be RS or similar. SS became very diluted in the 90s and 00s that it didn’t always mean much. If there was an AWD ‘Bu with at least 350hp then it would be worth an SS badge. And I say that HP figure because a Cruze SS would need 300hp to keep up with Golf R, Focus RS, Civic Type R, etc.
Well a FWD. is out as it sucks for performance.
AWD is out as just how much will some one pay for a Malibu when a better Regal is here.
As for an Alpha there is the risk it would delete Camaro sales to the point both cars do not sell in high enough numbers.
Camaro with AWD or GTFO