2014 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The 2014 Camaro ZL1 continues to be available in coupe and convertible models.

ZL1 Convertible

Because the Camaro’s architecture was designed to accommodate a convertible model, it gives the ZL1 convertible coupe-like driving dynamics and performance capability. Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body structure to quell the cowl and steering wheel shake common in convertibles. They include:

• A tower-to-tower brace under the hood
• A transmission support reinforcement brace
• Underbody tunnel brace
• Front “X” brace and stiffer cradle as well as rear underbody “V” braces

Additional structural reinforcements in the ZL1 convertible are designed to improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also reducing unwanted ride and body motions. These include a hydroformed tube in the A-pillars.

The 2014 ZL1 continues to feature the same aggressive exterior styling as on the 2012 model that debuted at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, but with a few changes.

The modifications include a new rear fascia and taillights, bringing the ZL1’s rear end in line with other 2014 Camaros. But while non-ZL1 Camaros receive a new front clip, the ZL1 retains the purposeful front fascia developed for the unique airflow requirements for engine cooling, brake cooling, and aerodynamic downforce.

Downforce-Optimized Design

To maintain stability and steering response at the speed the Camaro ZL1 is capable of achieving, the vehicle features an aerodynamic design that generates downforce to press the tires against the track. The ZL1’s body produces 65 pounds of downforce at an equivalent 150 mph (241 km/h) — compared to 200 pounds of lift in a Camaro SS — which was offset by an increase of only 40 counts of additional aerodynamic drag.

Seven elements contribute to the downforce of the ZL1:

1. Front fascia: the front fascia channels air for engine and brake cooling. The corners of the front fascia were shaped to minimize lift, while brake-cooling ducts in the outer corners of the lower grille opening provide a direct, high-flow path to the brake rotors.
2. Hood: the ZL1’s hood has a vented, carbon fiber insert, contributing to both engine cooling and aerodynamic downforce. The specially-shaped vents draw air up through the engine bay — allowing a significant volume of air flow while keeping the front tires firmly connected to the pavement.
3. Front splitter: instead of a traditional front air dam, the ZL1 incorporates a racing-style splitter to help create downforce.
4. Front tire deflectors: the deflectors push airflow around the rotating wheels and tires more efficiently, reducing lift and drag.
5. Belly pans: the ZL1 has two of them: one beneath the engine cradle and one at the rear of the engine assembly, just in front of the transmission. They minimize airflow turbulence under the car. NACA-style ducts are incorporated into the rear belly pan for transmission cooling.
6. Rocker panels: although subtle in appearance, the carefully shaped rocker panels help reduce lift and drag, while also contributing to stability during high cross winds. They also provide stone protection with the ZL1’s wider tires.
7. Rear spoiler: the ZL1’s rear spoiler contributes approximately 150 pounds of down force at the cost of only one count of drag. It is taller and wider than the spoiler on the Camaro SS and incorporates the center high-mounted stop lamp.

In addition to the functional design elements, the Camaro ZL1 also offers several aesthetic options, including a bright-finish wheel package, exposed-weaver carbon fiber hood insert and a stripe package.

Colors

The exterior color palette for 2014 ZL1 includes:

• Red Hot
• Bright Yellow
• Red Rock Metallic
• Silver Ice Metallic
• Summit White
• Black
• Crystal Red Tintcoat
• Ashen Gray Metallic
• Blue Ray Metallic

The convertible top color choices include black and beige.

ZL1 is tailored for high-performance driving and is offered solely with a black interior. Heated leather seats with microfiber inserts and ZL1 logos embroidered on the front head restraints are comfortable and deliver the support required in high-load turns on a racetrack. The new Recaro performance front bucket seats available — including leather trim and microfiber inserts.

Microfiber suede is repeated as an accent on the instrument panel, adding a richer look to the interior.

Additional interior features include:

• A thick, flat-bottom steering wheel
• Alloy pedals
• Head-up display with unique performance readouts
• A “four-pack” auxiliary gauge system featuring a boost readoout
• Unique instrument panel and door panel inserts along with ZL1-logo sill plates
• Color driver information display
• Color head-up display with unique g-force readout
• Short-throw shifter
• Steering wheel audio controls with Bluetooth capability
• Rear parking assist
• Rear camera system (displayed in the inside rearview mirror)
• Remote vehicle starter (available only with automatic transmission)

A suede package, including suede microfiber accents on the steering wheel, shift knob and shift boot, is available, along with a power sunroof.

Infotainment

Camaro ZL1 includes the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system. It features a high-resolution, full-color touch screen display designed to manage the number of steps required to complete a task. It also retains all the capabilities of conventional entertainment features, including AM/FM/Sirius XM tuners, CD player with MP3 playback, auxiliary, and USB inputs.

The system also integrates online services such as Pandora internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth-enabled phones. Additionally, the system adds stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles.

Engine

Supporting the dynamic track and street performance of the ZL1 is the 6.2L supercharged V8 LSA engine. It is rated at 580 horsepower (432kW) and 556 pound-feet of torque (754 Nm).

The engine’s bottom end uses six-bolt main bearing caps that clamp and lock in a forged steel crankshaft within a deep-skirt cylinder block. Additional features include:

• Balanced, lightweight reciprocating assembly
• High-strength hypereutectic pistons
• Sixth-generation Eaton supercharger with four-lobe rotors
• Piston oil squirters

The supercharger is a 1.9L Roots-style blower that uses an efficient four-lobe rotor set and compact intercooler to deliver boosted air into the high-flow cylinder heads. The engine also draws its breath through a unique induction system, with a low-restriction air filter, dual inlet paths, and enhanced airflow through the supercharger housing.

Because the Camaro ZL1 uses electric power steering, the engine does not incorporate a conventional hydraulic power steering pump on its accessory drive system. This enhances performance, because no engine power is used to turn a steering pump pulley.

Transmissions

The ZL1 is offered with track-capable transmissions, including a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

• The manual is the Tremec TR6060 “MG9”. It features 30 percent more torque capacity than it does in the Camaro SS. The higher torque capacity results from a strengthened output shaft, high-strength rear housing, and additional roller bearing. The MG9 has also been tuned for improved shift feel, with a dual-mass flywheel, twin-disc clutch, and triple synchros for smooth, precise shifts.
• The automatic is the Hydra-Matic 6L90. It has been strengthened to handle the torque and horsepower produced by the 6.2L supercharged small-block V8 LSA. It features a strengthened input gearset with two additional pinion gears, additional clutch plate, and a strengthened output shaft and gearset. To make the ZL1 perform equally well on street and track, the 6L90 features three distinct drive modes:
  • Drive: the shift pattern is calibrated for optimal fuel economy, including second-gear starts, while the shift feel is tuned for a smooth driving experience. Engaging the tap-shift feature on the steering wheel or shift lever engages temporary manual mode.
  • Sport: the shift pattern is calibrated for more aggressing driving, including first-gear starts for maximum performance. The shift feel is also more aggressive, with a performance algorithm that holds the transmission in lower gears during aggressive driving.
  • Manual: here, the 6L90 offers the driver true manual control, with no automatic up shifts, and staged upshifts for incredibly fast shifts and maximum performance.

The drivetrain of the Camaro ZL1 is unique to the vehicle, and is composed of a stronger driveshaft and rear axle system. The latter features a larger and stronger 9.9-inch cast iron differential housing, stronger axles, and a heavy-duty limited-slip differential. This patent-pending system is designed to ensure that the ZL1’s tremendous power is delivered smoothly to the ground. A rear-differential cooler reduces temperatures in the differential by more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).

The ZL1 also features asymmetrical half-shafts: a 60mm hollow shaft on the right and a 33mm solid shaft on the left. This setup offers different torsional stiffness rates, which work with the limited-slip differential to minimize the chance of wheel hop on hard launches. Also, the rear stabilizer bar has drop links positioned outboard of the control arms, for more effective body roll control in turns, providing crisp response to driver commands.

An advanced track-capable braking system developed in conjunction with Brembo is also included. Large 14.6-inch (370 mm) two-piece front rotors have six-piston calipers; rear rotors are 14.4 inches (365 mm) in diameter, and feature four-piston calipers.

ZL1-specific 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, which are lighter than the 20-inch wheels used on the Camaro SS, are used with new Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires developed specifically for the ZL1.

Performance Traction Management & Magnetic Ride Control

Performance Traction Management (PTM) is standard on the Camaro ZL1. The system integrates the exclusive third-generation Magnetic Ride Control (with driver-selectable Tour and Sport modes) with launch control, traction control, electronic stability control, and electric power steering response to enhance performance.

With PTM, the launch control feature (on ZL1s equipped with the manual transmission only) automatically modulates engine torque for the best-possible acceleration without excessive wheel spin. When the driver pushes the throttle to the floor, the system holds a predetermined engine speed until the driver releases the clutch. Then, the system modulates engine torque 1,000 times per second to maximize the available traction.

Similarly, on a road course, the driver can apply full throttle when exiting a corner and Performance Traction Management will automatically manage acceleration dynamics to maximize exit speed based on available traction.

Five PTM performance levels or modes are available to accommodate the given ambient and track conditions, driver experience/vehicle familiarity and driver comfort levels. They include:

• Mode 1: traction control set for wet conditions, with stability control on and Magnetic Ride Control set on Tour
• Mode 2: traction control set for dry conditions, with stability control on and Magnetic Ride Control set on Tour
• Mode 3: traction control set on Sport 1, with stability control on and Magnetic Ride Control set on Sport
• Mode 4: traction control set on Sport 2, with stability control off and Magnetic Ride Control set on Sport
• Mode 5: traction control set on Race, with stability control off and Magnetic Ride Control set on Track. Launch control tuned for VHT-prepped drag strips

Powered by the 6.2L supercharged LSA small-block V8 engine producing 580 horsepower (432 kW), the 2014 Camaro ZL1 is the fastest, most capable Camaro ever. But the 2014 ZL1 is more than just power and raw numbers: it features a technologically-advanced and highly-developed chassis and suspension systems that help the car deliver balanced, track-ready handling and braking power to complement high engine output, while including third-generation Magnetic Ride Control.

ZL1 performance credentials include:

• 0-60 mph in four seconds
• Top speed of 184 mph
• 11-second quarter-mile ETs (11.93 with the automatic / 11.96 with the manual transmission)
• Lapped the Nürburgring in 7:41.27

All of those impressive achievements were conducted with a stock test vehicle wearing all the street-legal, factory-issued components — and no time-consuming equipment adjustments at the racetrack. That means that even two years after the introduction of the ZL1 variant of the fifth-gen Camaro, few production cars today can match its performance.

Track Readiness

Track-ready features of the ZL1’s powertrain include:

• An engine-oil cooler, identical to the system on the Corvette ZR1.
• The integral liquid-to-liquid system is so effective that both the manual and automatic transmissions are deemed to be fully track-capable with the standard factory-installed cooling package.
• A high-performance fuel system.

The system delivers fuel to the LSA engine under any performance driving condition. For example, the system features additional fuel pickups on the primary side, and the secondary fuel pickup is moved outboard for continuous fuel access during high-g cornering under low fuel conditions.

Dual-Mode Exhaust System

The Camaro ZL1 is equipped with a dual-mode exhaust system, which alters the sound level and character in response to engine rpm and throttle position.

The Camaro ZL1 is designed to help drivers avoid crashes, while protecting occupants in the event a crash occurs.

The Body

A strong body structure is designed to absorb crash energy and provide a protective “safety cage” around occupants. Notably, the 2012 Camaro was the first passenger car to receive NHTSA’s revised quadruple 5-star safety rating.

Safety Features

• Coupe models come with six standard air bags, including side curtain air bags, which provide head protection for outboard passengers in the event of a side-impact or rollover crash. Convertibles have four standard air bags
• Rear Vision Package includes a rearview camera system to complement the rear park assist feature
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system helps reduce the risk of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle in the driver’s intended path by applying throttle, braking or a combination of both
• Standard four-wheel disc brake system featuring smooth, quiet operation, longer pad life and more resistance to brake pulsation
• Pretensioners minimize forward movement during a collision, and are standard on the front safety belts.
• Load-limiting retractors cinch the belt more tightly
• Standard tire pressure monitoring system
• Standard remote keyless entry (RKE) system provides a second function for the red panic button. Drivers can use it to locate their cars without sounding the panic alarm

OnStar

Six months of OnStar Directions and Connections service is standard on the Camaro ZL1. The system uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash. OnStar service also includes MyLink mobile apps, which offer vehicle information and OnStar services via the customer’s smartphone.

As with all other fifth-generation Camaros, the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 continues to utilize GM’s Zeta rear-wheel drive vehicle architecture. The Camaro will continue to be underpinned by the Zeta platform until the all-new sixth-generation 2016 Camaro comes to market in 2015 on GM’s new Alpha platform.