We recently captured photos of a Chevy Camaro that resides at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. This particular Camaro ZL1 1LE is an important part of the muscle car’s history, even though it was built as recently as 2017. In June of that year, this very 2018 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe was driven around the world-famous Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany by Camaro ride and handling engineer Bill Wise, who completed a lap in an astonishing 7 minutes 16.04 seconds. This was a new record for a Camaro, and nearly 14 seconds faster than the 7 minutes 29.60 seconds achieved the previous year in a Camaro ZL1 (without the 1LE track handling package).
In addition, the 2017 ZL1 was fitted with GM’s ten-speed automatic transmission, but the ZL1 1LE driven by Wise had the six-speed manual. Wise required sixth gear only on the long straight towards the end of the lap, where the Chevy Camaro reached an indicated 173 mph.
The ZL1 1LE is visibly different from other examples of the sixth-generation Chevy Camaro due to its carbon fiber rear wing along with the air deflectors and dive planes on the front fascia, its lightweight forge aluminum wheels. Unseen modifications include Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers, adjustable front ride height and camber, adjustable rear stabilizer bar, thinner rear glass and fixed-back (non-folding) rear seat. Understandably, the suspension settings were adjusted to make the car as suitable as possible for very fast laps on the dry Nürburgring circuit.
Wise had 650 horsepower at his disposal from the Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE’s supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine, which will power the upcoming 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing ultra-high-performance luxury sedan, where it will make an uprated 668-horsepower. The car also featured Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires, high-performance Brembo brakes and Active Rev Match, which Wise certainly used. Comfort features offered by the ZL1 1LE are dual-zone automatic climate control, a Bose premium audio system, heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
Shortly after the record run, Chevrolet uploaded an onboard video to its YouTube channel, which has had well over a million views. The footage demonstrates superbly not only the enormous capability of the Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE, but also the great skill and commitment of Bill Wise as a track driver. Check it out here:
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Comments
Impressive lap.
To me this lap at this speed is more impressive than a full blown sports car or race car just slightly faster.
The car did well but the driver was worth much in this lap too.
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…all I can say…is…I want one…manual 6 speed…automatics are for little old ladies going to church on Sundays…maintain
George the A10 automatic 10 speed is actually faster than the 6 speed (3.5 vs 3.7 sec 0-60. 11.4 vs 11.8 1/4 mile ZL1 Chevrolet Camaro Catalog Manufacturer Test Results) Plus the ZL1 w/1LE is only available w/6 speed. I own a 2020 1SS w/A10 and can attest to its capabilities. I have a bad knee and ankle and It’s nice to to have both available in an awesome vehicle.
You can get the 10 speed in the ZL1 1LE as of 2019.
Thanks for the update I was mistaken
I can’t help but notice the angle of that wing is different from my 2019 zl11le!
This beast would be at least 5 tenths faster with the auto. This man can drive but, it be great to see someone like a John Heinracy or a Stu Hayner behind the wheel. Betcha it can go 7.0’s.
Incredible performance by car and driver. Camaro dash still sucks. If they wat to make it retro make it like a ’67. Visibility is really poor. Need those 2 changes on next model.