- The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the fastest — and most expensive — Camaro ever, debuted on Wednesday at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show.
- It will launch early next year and go head-to-head with the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang.
- Chevrolet went back in its archives to resurrect the ZL1 name, taken from the 1969 Camaro ZL1: a legendary performer.
CHICAGO — The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the fastest — and most expensive — Camaro ever, debuted on Wednesday at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. While pricing will be announced closer to launch early next year, Chevrolet is hinting that the ZL1 should come in right around $50,000.
"It will establish a new top-of-the-range for us," said David Caldwell, Chevrolet spokesman in a phone conversation with Inside Line on Wednesday. "It's got a lot of advanced technology that has not been seen before in a Camaro."
The ZL1 will compete with the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, which starts at $49,495, including an $850 destination charge.
While specifications on the ZL1 are preliminary, Chevrolet said its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine is expected to churn out 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque — nearly identical to that of the Shelby GT500 Mustang. The Shelby GT500 is equipped with a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that delivers 550 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet said "official estimates of the car's capabilities will be released later in 2011, as testing nears completion." No word yet on fuel economy ratings.
The Camaro ZL1 gets a six-speed manual transmission.
Other high-tech features include Magnetic Ride Control, a suspension feature usually found on Cadillacs and Corvettes, and what Chevrolet calls "an advanced track-capable braking system" developed with Brembo. ZL1 also marks the entry of a new electric power steering system to Camaro, said Chevrolet.
While early speculation said the range-topping Camaro would be called Z28, Chevrolet instead chose the ZL1 name from the all-aluminum racing engine of the same name that was developed in the late 1960s. It was installed in a small number of production 1969 Camaros. Just 69 were built with the engine.
Exterior cues include a new front fascia and hood with air extractors. The hood gets a "signature" center section made of carbon fiber and rendered in satin black finish. Other details include 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and exhaust tips.
The cabin — only available in black — gets front seats with microfiber suede inserts, a redesigned steering wheel, alloy pedals, head-up display with performance readouts and a "four-pack" auxiliary gauge system featuring a boost readout.
Inside Line says: It's starting to feel like the good old days at GM with stunners like this.
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5lv8 says:
02:38 PM, 05/25/2011
The 2012 ZL1 Camaro looks great and probably performs even better. I am glad GM is adding a little extra power to its Camaro, but the price is a little high. Even if I could afford it, I am not interested in a Camaro that costs as much as a Corvette. Muscle cars provide great performance at a reasonable price and a $50,000+ is not a reasonable price.
mrnosy says:
10:47 PM, 02/21/2011
"Do-nuts On Yer Lawwn",so sayeth the Milkmen of Death. As for it being a "Bitchin" Camaro,it is to its chosen demographic. A '74 Maverick also serves up a ripping good school lawn do-nut...uh,so I've been told.
bullett13 says:
02:39 PM, 02/12/2011
All i read from you guys is crap you guys r a bunch magazines heads who makes life miserable with these opinions! gosh give it a break none guys r from where chevorlet was created n defininte i cant u guys r not from where the idea came to become part of the beginning of the worlds n imean the world greatest corporation which fed a lot u guys fat bellys nu have sumthn 2 say THAT ZL1 IS JUST THE BIRTH WATCH AFTER IT GETS ITS NOURISHMENT! May the Force B wit US!
bruceleroy81 says:
07:37 AM, 02/11/2011
I would say that this will be a close one against the Shelby-Cobra GT500. Because of 40 more lb.-feet of torque than the Shelby, this Camaro would probably beat it on the Quarter-mile by maybe a few tenths of a second.
I'm not quite sure about handling though since this car's gonna weigh more. Mustang Shelby has a better power to weight.
Both cars are nice. And this will be an interesting match-up. Loookin forward to it.
a1c_scg says:
03:58 PM, 02/10/2011
I mean, it's cool for what it is, but it doesn't really appeal to me a whole lot. I'd much rather have a used C6 Z06 or a new Grand Sport for the same price. But that's just me.
As for all the fanboys bench racing w/ the GT500, get real. The car's not even out yet, and you're calling it a 'GT500 killer'??? Spare me. It's pretty much the same car, w/ a different brand logo. Nutswingers.....
juan_mx says:
01:40 PM, 02/10/2011
hondalvr4life says:
"this car will no doubt steal some sales away from the Corvette Z06"
Nope....it is not only about horsepower, the Z06 is a real sports car.
aviboy97 says:
12:12 PM, 02/10/2011
Is it me, or did the Camaro get even uglier? God, this thing is hideous!
djsgt says:
11:40 AM, 02/10/2011
Great. Just what the world needs, another two ton pony car, (or are they now Clydesdale cars?).
It's great that GM/Chevy make such a car, but given how much money the gov't hosed out of GM bondholders, wouldn't it be nice if they made a more revolutionary,competitive car instead of an Aussie based, over weight sedan conversion?
In it's day, the '69 ZL1 was beyond belief; aluminum heads, block, intake, 4 wheel disc optional. The car was a purpose built drag racer. Today it's a porcine dress up kit to compete with a nearly as obese, also supercharged, GT500. Maybe someone at GM can look at what Ford is doing with the forthcoming Boss 302, a naturally aspirated car that actually lost some weight?
john1168 says:
07:11 AM, 02/10/2011
AWESOME!!! The interior doesn't look any different to me other than the generic steering wheel. The old tiller looked hideous but at least it was original. The exterior looks great.
stingray454 says:
06:07 AM, 02/10/2011
Cool looking, and it's definitely got a wonderful engine. I know, I own one in my '10 CTS-V. Those magnetic ride control shocks are marvels of engineering too - they should work wonders on the Camaro's handling.