5 Things You Need To Know About The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
Some good news for Camaro fans emerged at the weekend, with Chevrolet revealing the latest of its 1LE track packages. It’s the most extreme yet, as it’s for the already very potent ZL1. Here’s what you need to know…
It’s packing aggressive aero
Let’s start with what you’ve probably already picked up on: it’s sprouted several new bits of aero. We’re looking at a carbonfibre wing at the back, while at the front you’ll find air deflectors and some pretty substantial canards. The new aero package will increase downforce, although Chevrolet hasn’t said by how much.
The dampers are Multimatic
Just like the previous-generation Camaro Z/28 (and presumably the next one), the 1LE ZL1 comes with a set of ‘Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve’ (DSSV) dampers from Canadian firm Multimatic. As we found out when investigating the use of the technology in the Colorado ZR2 pickup, the crucial difference between these dampers and more conventional shocks is in the spool valve.
Normally, you’ll find a set of metal shims covering the holes in a damper’s piston. These shims move out of the way when a large amount of force is sent through the damper, which allows for a freer flow of oil, meaning the piston can move to a greater degree.
Multimatic replaces these shims with a spring-loaded spool valve, which does a much better job of controlling the flow rate depending on how much force is going through it. The idea is it gives the flexibility of an active damper with passive technology. The more you know.
The front pair of DSSV dampers are height and camber adjustable, and also on the suspension agenda is a three-way adjustable anti-roll bar.
It’s had some weight reduction, bro
It’s customary to trim off a little fat when it comes to making track cars, and sure enough the ZL1 1LE has dropped a few kilos. There are new forged aluminium wheels - which are an inch wider but an inch smaller in diameter - contributing to a reduction in rotational mass of 3.3kg per corner.
Meanwhile, the rear glass in thinner, there’s a lighter fixed-back rear seat, and those posh DSSV dampers are lighter too (the standard car has bulkier magnetic dampers). All told, the ZL1 loses 27kg with the 1LE package.
The tyres are grippy enough to make your face hurt
The lighter forged wheels we’ve just been talking about are wrapped in a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tyres. The boots have been specifically developed for the ZL1 1LE, and warm up much faster than conventional rubber. Chevrolet says they’ll deliver a maximum of 1.10g in terms of lateral grip, which should make for the kind of cornering forces that’ll make your face hurt.
The 1LE package doesn’t add any power, I’m afraid. But with 631bhp and 650lb ft of torque from a 6.2-litre, supercharged GM LT4 V8, the standard ZL1 isn’t exactly wanting for poke.
There are no performance figures just yet, but with the weight reduction the existing 3.5sec 0-60mph time may have been reduced by a tenth. It’s a fairly irrelevant stat for this car though: the important question is how fast it is on track, and the answer is jolly fast. In early testing, the 1LE-equipped ZL1 was three seconds faster than the standard car at GM’s 2.9 mile Milford Road Course.
Tempted? It’ll go on sale later this year, for an as-yet undisclosed price.
Comments
Here’s another thing you didn’t know, you might mistake the name for a printer
First the MP4-12C, and now this.
plz be top !
ZL1 1LE looks a little like Zliile.
the GT3 for people who love American made things basically
And don’t like mustangs
Or people who don’t want a gt3. I swear people think every car hasto be a Porsche
The 1LE package doesn’t add any power, I’m afraid. But with 631bhp and 640lb ft of torque from the 6.2-litre, supercharged GM LT4 V8, the standard ZL1 isn’t exactly wanting for power.
Facepalms
The Driver’s outfit made me laugh so hard lol
“the ZL1 loses 27kg”
Every Gram Counts,
thats the rule of motorsports!
This was the z/28. Y’all saw the badge on the car that crashed on the ‘ring. The same thing happened to the previous gen z/28. Chevy wanted to release it sooner, but then looked at their product, and didn’t think it was special enough for the name. Which is why at the end of last gen’s life, we got the track capable 505 hp, special suspension, “lol I passed a z/06” vehicle. What happened here is that someone said “we gotta make a new z/28”, rushed it on the zl1, then realized they should have taken their sweet time.
Lol, why the down votes? That was exactly what the guy behind the 14-15 z/28 said during some interviews. I’m just assuming that’s whats happening now, as the z/28 on the ring looked rather similar to this 1le. If I’m wrong, just tell me :D
No offense to the GM fandoys and the GM Internet Defense Force, but this car just keeps getting uglier and uglier…..
Y’know, you could’ve just said this: No offense to the GM fans, but this car just keeps getting uglier and uglier…..
Was mocking GM fans really necessary?
Also, I see in your bio that you don’t like GM. If you’re doing this out of hate, then…please…just…don’t.
Yeah, the modern GM cars aren’t all that good looking, especially Chevrolets.
GM Internet Defense Force.. that is hilarious!!
Am I the only more excited for this than Dodge Challenger Demon?
It’s not a track car though. Still can’t wait.
They are so different, you cant really compare them
Everyone excited about the. Im excited about this.