Alongside the reveal of the 2019 Camaro, Chevrolet also dropped details on a new member of the pony car’s family: the Camaro Turbo 1LE.
As the name implies, the 2019 Camaro Turbo 1LE adds 1LE performance to the pony car’s entry-level powertrain. Chevrolet previewed a similar model with the Camaro AutoX concept in 2016.
To start, the 2019 Camaro Turbo 1LE gets a weight advantage, thanks to the tiny 2.0-liter LTG turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Weight distribution is nearly 50/50, according to the brand. Perhaps to some disappointment, the car comes without any power increases, which means we’re still looking at 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
On the handling and suspension side of things, the Camaro Turbo 1LE receives an FE3 suspension with larger diameter front and rear stabilizer bars, specifically tuned dampers, stiffer rear cradle bushings and cross-axis ball joints in the rear tow links. Chevy engineers derived the setup from the Camaro V6 1LE’s suspension.
Additionally, the Turbo 1LE gains a Brembo brake package, a Driver Mode Selector with performance instrument readouts, launch control, and shift lights, and a sueded flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob are standard. Recaro seats are optional.
Of the refreshed 2019 Camaros, we happen to believe the Camaro Turbo 1LE also wears the new looks best without the blacked-out grille piece found on the 2019 Camaro SS. The Turbo 1LE’s hood also mimics the V6 1LE and SS 1LE, which still looks quite good.
No word on when we’ll see the 2019 Camaro Turbo 1LE, but expect a late 2018 launch alongside Chevrolet’s refreshed portfolio of cars.
Comments
This a great move. There is almost nothing like this on the market, currently.
The other 2 pony cars do not offer a 4 cyl turbo performance car. Yeah, the Mustang can get the 2.3t, but that doesn’t make it a performance car.
Ford did it, it’s called the Mustang EcoBoost Performance Package:
Black-painted strut tower brace; larger radiator; upsized rear sway bar; heavy-duty front springs; unique chassis
tuning; larger brake rotors with 4-piston front calipers; 19″ x 9″ low-gloss Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels with 255/40R19 summer-only tires; unique electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), ABS and electronic stability control tuning; Engine Spun aluminum instrument panel trim; Gauge Pack (oil pressure and boost); performance rear wing (fastback); spoiler delete (convertible); and 3.55 TORSEN® limited-slip rear differential
The ecoboost Performance Package is a joke on track. It body rolls through corners like a 90’s jaguar on air suspension. The 1LE takes corners flat and grips very well. This 1LE is going to have too much grip, if that;s a thing. There’s no telling how fast it will be on track, but I bet it’s a second faster than the Ecoboost PP around Willow Springs. The Turbo 1LE with a Garret GT3071. dowpipe, catback, intake, and tune would be absolutely amazing for track days. I can’t wait to see what people do with it.
“It body rolls through corners like a 90’s jaguar on air suspension.”
So do Miatas and yet people still go nuts about tracking those boats for some reason….
The Miata is cheap and lightweight. Good suspension bits, brakes, and tires are a dime a dozen for that car, and they’re easy on gas. Aftermarket sway bars and coilovers make them flawlessly agile, and their little tires allow for quick steering response. It’s perfect for autocross, amateur track drivers, teens, SCCA competition, or just someone who wants to have fun on track without breaking the bank.
Boats!
“Once Brian Redman was done with the Porsche 962, he hopped in the Mazda, belted up, turned the key, and headed out to the track. Simple as that.
And absolute joy.
When Redman finally came back after his first-ever stint in a Spec Miata, he was positively giddy. “Well then, that’s certainly the most fun I’ve had all weekend, innit?” he said from behind a giggle. Strong words from a guy who, earlier in the day, had driven not only a 962, but a Porsche 917 as well._ GRM
The joy of driving is what a Miata delivers everyday on the street or on the track on the weekends. Joy. Some people claim to be drivers and judge, but haven’t a clue. They are no Brian Redman.
It could be the most track capable car in the world but the design sucks. To many “soccer mom designed” cars out there. Add this one to the pile. Hopefully GM gets their head on straight soon
Trying to wrap my mind around how a car that practically everyone complains about being to small and with a lousy back seat and trunk is a “soccer mom designed” car, but oooooooooooookay……..
I think that maybe Gmman99 was refering to GM’s pension for putting designs in front of focus groups before making final design decisions.
You are correct
So like pretty much every other company?
I haven’t quite warmed up to the design yet, but “soccer mom designed” absolutely doesn’t describe this nor 95% of the vehicles companies are pumping out today.
By “soccer mom” i mean safe. Its not edgy, its boring. Just because something has a small rear seat, and no truck space and bad blind spots doesn’t mean its a muscle car.
First, the Camaro is a sports car these days, not a muscle car.
Second. What fantasy land are you living in where this is a “safe” and “boring” design?
Seems most people are against it for being TOO edgy.
This thing is far from not edgy, there is nothing that looks like it on the road.
Now that’s a face only a mother (with Glaucoma) could love!
hahahaha post of the Day.
well at least we can remember the 6th Generation by the 2016-2018’s
lol good one lollllll and look what mother gm have done to her child the 2019 Spark, happy to have the 2016 one !
Why would anyone pay for Brembo brakes and launch control for a 275 hp, 4 cylinder car?
Because racecar.
Can we get this front on a SS or SS 1le??
The moron mob : “Chevy doesn’t offer enough different packages on the Camaro, booo, this sucks, Chevy doesn’t listen to the customer, why can’t I get a performance package for the base Camaro”
Chevy offers performance package for the base Camaro
The moron mob; “Why would anyone want this??? this is stupid!!!”
Jeeeeeeeeez…………………………..
They took a code 1LE that made it the super secret performance code that hard core enthusiast knew it was special. It was the car all the GM test drivers wanted the Mule cars to become a production special. Now the marketing team has it in there focus and its becoming more flash and panache and less about solid function. How long till we have a Spark 1LE, Volt 1LE, or Mini-van 1LE all with blacked out hood. Its going to become the Sticker package with a blackout hood, blackout wheels, Decals abundance, and for the heck of it lets add red seat belts.
As far as we know and as far as we’ve seen the 1LE remains a performance focused option, but now its been spread to all the models in the line up, but the 1LE additions are real and they do enhance performance, its a little ignorant to start a Chicken Little crybaby poo-poo rant when none of what you’re speculating has happened nor does it show any indication of happening.
Some people here a like toddlers, they’re going to cry when they have the toy and they’re going to cry when they take it away too, its just b***hing for b***hings sake…….
Last I Checked, the 1LE lineup whoops *ss in every class. The 2.0T 1LE will definitely outrun Golf GTIs, Nissan 370Zs, and WRXs. The V6 1LE beats the Ecoboost Performance Pack, M235i, Golf type R, and more. The SS 1LE beats the M4 GTS, GT350, Carrera S, among others. The ZL1 1LE beats the Grand Sport, Audi R8, 650s, 570s, GT3 RS, AMG GT R…. you get the point. Not everyone can afford to track a $45,000 V8 car. At $32,000, this 1LE leaves room for extra tires, brakes, gas, oil, fluids, and entry fees. Stop whining, troll. The 1LE name is being put to good use.
Oh, and an LT5-powered ZL1 1LE(it won’t be called that, though) is coming with Carbon Ceramic brakes and more. Expect a reveal on July 13, but it may happen on a different date. Enjoy.
GM can never with some folks.
Make it have a bigger trunk and back seat then the complain it is too beg.
Make it with less style and better vision then they complain that the styling sucks.
Make it with performance only on the upper models then they complain it is not on a cheaper model.
Add a 1LE to a cheaper 4 and 6 model that would out run the super secret past model that was a V8 and yet they complain.
The bottom line is this car may not all and everything of your imagination and it never will be because GM has the deal with real world parameters.
It is not Aztek ugly, it is a better performance car than about anything before it. For what it does it can be a very good deal in this real world of $36,000 Malibu’s. Nothing is cheap anymore.
The Mustang and Challanger both get the same complaints too. With dropping sales of coupes you are going to see an end of these cars or a major jump in price to keep them viable.
Times have changed, markets have changed, people have changed and this segment can very easily die again as we lost the true Mustang once before (no the II does not count). The Challanger died went To Japan and died again. As we both know the Camaro died and came back. All three could easily die if the dI nit find traction in global markets. They each really need to get 100k in sales to remain cheaper. If the continue to lose sales they will vanish.
I believe there may be a major change in this segment as we are now seeing the start of CUV model starting to move to performance. This could take enough sales to doom them all.
So stop complaining and enjoy it while you have them as it al, could be gone in 5 years.
We are performance enthusiast we may be the proud but we are in the vast majority who bring so little profit to the MFG.