Chevrolet News:2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Is Turned Up To 11

[William Maley]

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The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is already a monster with 650 horsepower from a 6.2L supercharged V8 engine. But the people on the Camaro team thought they could further and the end result is the 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE.

It certainly looks the part with new canards, revised grilles, an exposed carbon-fiber air extractor for the hood, and a massive carbon fiber wing. A set of 19-inch forged wheels come wrapped in the widest tires ever offered on a Camaro - 305 mm wide tires in the front, and 325 mm tires at the back. The interior hasn't changed much aside from a lighter back seat.

Under the ZL1 1LE's skin, there is a set of Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers (the same ones used on the Colorado ZR2), adjustable rear anti-roll bar, and a set of race springs. A six-speed manual is the only transmission on offer.

GM says the Camaro ZL1 1LE laps their Milford handling course three seconds faster than the standard ZL1.

No word on pricing, but the 1LE package for the Camaro ZL1 will be available later this year.

Source: Chevrolet
Press Release is on Page 2

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2018 CAMARO ZL1 1LE SETS BENCHMARK FOR TRACK CAPABILITY

• Special aero, adjustable suspension, exclusive tires drive unprecedented performance for a production sports car

DAYTONA, Fla. — Chevrolet has established a new performance benchmark with the introduction of the 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE — the most track-capable Camaro ever.

Taking the track-focused 1LE formula to an unprecedented level, the ZL1 1LE incorporates racing-based suspension and aero technologies, as well as exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only tires,* in an extreme track performance package.

“The track-focused 1LE package offers progressive levels of performance across the Camaro lineup, from the V6 1LE to the SS 1LE,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “But with the new ZL1 1LE, the progression takes a quantum leap — this is the ultimate track-day Camaro.”

In preliminary testing, the new ZL1 1LE was 3 seconds faster than the standard ZL1 Coupe around General Motors’ 2.9-mile, 18-turn Milford Road Course test track.

The improved track performance is driven by four key elements:

Aerodynamics: New aero features including a carbon fiber rear wing, specific air deflectors and dive planes on the front fascia produce grip-generating downforce to help the car stick harder and drive faster in turns.

Adjustable suspension: The ZL1 1LE features racing-derived, lightweight Multimatic DSSV® (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers front and rear for exceptional wheel and vehicle control. The front-end ride height is adjustable with the front dampers, which are used with all-new, adjustable camber plates. The rear stabilizer bar also offers three-way adjustability. All of the components are designed for quick changes at the track for optimal performance and a quick return to street settings when the track day ends.

Wheels and tires: New, lightweight forged aluminum wheels are an inch wider but an inch smaller in diameter, front and rear, than standard ZL1 wheels and are used with new Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires that deliver max lateral grip of 1.10g. Developed exclusively for the Camaro ZL1 1LE, the 3R tires are designed to warm up faster to help maintain more consistent grip and speed, lap after lap. The overall footprint grows approximately 10 percent over the ZL1, but the wheel-and-tire package weighs about 1.5 pounds (3.3 kg) less per corner.

Lighter weight: The lighter wheels and dampers, along with reduced thickness rear glass and a fixed-back rear seat, contribute to an approximately 60-pound (27 kg) lower curb weight than a standard ZL1 Coupe.

“The new Camaro ZL1 1LE offers the supreme track experience,” said Mark Dickens, executive director, Chevrolet Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports Engineering. “It’s the pinnacle of Camaro performance and advances the 1LE’s nearly 30-year legacy of uncompromising, track-tailored capability.”

The power behind the ZL1 1LE is the 650-horsepower, supercharged LT4 engine backed by a six-speed manual transmission featuring Active Rev Match. Brembo brakes, including red calipers with the 1LE logo, are also included. Additional standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose premium audio system, heated/ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel.

The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE goes on sale later this year. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

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[Cmicasa the Great]

Seriously.. in my days of yore.. working on my Iroc-Z.. never did I think that one day the name Camaro would be capable of beating the shit outta 911s on a race course. Again.. this Camaro is the proof positive that Corvette needs to be on its own... and Camaro take-over as the flagship for Chevy

[David]

That is one bad ass Camaro. Makes ya wonder what the final numbers will be when this beast laps the track 3 seconds faster than last years edition. WOW  

[hyperv6]

Let's put this into perspective. 

The standard ZL was a tick faster than the Mclaren spider lap wise in Motor Trend. 

This will be even more.

I expect a non supercharged model as the Z/28. Think Grand Sport to the ZO6.

[aurora97]

I saw a ZL1 on the freeway today.  It was black, had plenty of room in the left lane, and floored it.  The SOUND of that engine is magnificent!

Keep it up, Chevy, and give us MORE!

[daves87rs]

Shock and awe.....just love it.

Makes us who love the camaro proud......

[hyperv6]

Another idea is a naturally aspirated DOHC V8 that is coming for a high rev engine.

Oppenhieser has stated the Z/28 was a Natural Asperated car and a high rev engine may be a nice fit.

[surreal1272]

With this, the need for a mid-engine Vette just became a forgone conclusion. The current Camaro, despite some of its literal shortcomings, just gets better performance with each update it seems. Just non-stop performance.

[hyperv6]

Hmm word is no the Z/28 is  coming with the LT6 DOHC 5.5 V8 with around 700 HP.

The ZR1 is testing the LT7 TT DOHC 5.5 V8 and will appear in 2018. 

I had heard the Corvette boys were testing over 1,000 HP with their new engine but they tempered it with we will only use as much as we can put to the ground.

[David]

1 hour ago, hyperv6 said:

Hmm word is no the Z/28 is  coming with the LT6 DOHC 5.5 V8 with around 700 HP.

The ZR1 is testing the LT7 TT DOHC 5.5 V8 and will appear in 2018. 

I had heard the Corvette boys were testing over 1,000 HP with their new engine but they tempered it with we will only use as much as we can put to the ground.

Hopefully this just means the Performance group will have kits to sell as some care more about boasting about the number than what can actually get to the ground. Course if they are testing with over 1000hp and hopefully 1000+ lbs of torque they will go AWD to make it truly happen.

[hyperv6]

Just now, dfelt said:

Hopefully this just means the Performance group will have kits to sell as some care more about boasting about the number than what can actually get to the ground. Course if they are testing with over 1000hp and hopefully 1000+ lbs of torque they will go AWD to make it truly happen.

Boosting means nothing at the finish line.

That is why Chryslers Hell Cat is not as fast as it should be as the engine just can not put it to the ground. It is a one dimensional car where GM and even Ford are now doing a comprehensive package that goes, stops and turns with the best of them.

It is like GM's approach to suspension tuning. They have mastered the less is more approach. In the past a F41 package was bigger bars, stiffer springs and bigger tires. Today it is more about better shocks, matched sway bars and less spring. Today the cars are much better in all conditions and are so much easier to drive fast in all conditions not just on the proving grounds black lake.

Same thing in doing lap times. You can over drive a car and in these cases you slow down to go faster.

While big numbers and Smokey burn outs may be cool to make it in a global market you need a well sorted and proper package that does it all better.

I work in the racing industry and we deal with some customers who just want more power and then we deal with real racers that want to make the car work as one. They are the ones who take the trophy home not the guy that is all motor and nothing else.

The fastest cars are always the ones that put the power to the ground not the biggest HP number.

Just look at the lap times of a V6 Camaro compared to a Hell Cat. Also just look at the 1LE ZL1 to the stock ZL1. 3 seconds a lap better with the same HP.

 

I expect the C8 to get AWD at some point. The present Front engine that would have been very difficult to do. Just look at what they had to do for the Callaway to get the two turbochargers and intercoolers in.

[ccap41]

This car is going to be seriously BAD. ASS.

Also, Take note, Dodge, on how to maintain a rear seat AND lose weight for said seat.

[Stew]

19 hours ago, ccap41 said:

This car is going to be seriously BAD. ASS.

Also, Take note, Dodge, on how to maintain a rear seat AND lose weight for said seat.

GT350R also does rear seat delete to save weight. 

The solution to the Hellcat putting down power is called the Demon

I love the fact that all 3 have unique personalities. 

 

Hellcat:  GT good for a trip across the country with 4 people and all their luggage and you can even get it with 4 doors!

GT350:  High revving, sound of the gods V8 engine you want to rev just to hear it sing

Camaro:  Low torque supercharged beast with pleny of power and supercar handling.