The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro offers a new 1LE package, designed to enhance its capabilities as a road-going and track-going sports car. The V6 1LE gets components from the SS model, while the SS 1LE gets components from the all-new ZL1 which boasts an impressive 650-horsepower V8 engine. Other features of the 2017 model include a 50th Anniversary Edition as well as a Teen Driver mode which allows the owner to designate certain driving parameters.
The ZL1 of the sixth-generation Camaro was developed to be a competition to the most advanced sports coupes around the globe. Its driver-centric cockpit is optimized to get the most from its supercharged 6.2 LT4 engine, enabling it to accelerate from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, complete a quarter mile in 11.4 seconds and endure 1.02 g-force.
It has often been observed in automotive engineering that higher degrees of effort are put into the perfecting of vehicles with lower volume targets. This would include models such as Ferraris that require attention to detail far greater than those of mass-market vehicles. To this end, the development engineers of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 undertook tire testing with seven iterations of the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires (against the typical three iterations). Additionally, they spent over a year calibrating the 10-speed automatic transmission and made six trips to the Nürburgring so as to evaluate the car and enjoy a lap time of 7:29.60, a difference of almost 12 seconds in comparison to its predecessor.
The comprehensive development was applied to some of the most advanced hardware available. Its magnetorheological dampers draw information from sensors which read the road one thousand times each second; an electronically controlled limited-slip differential directstorque between the back wheels with accuracy via computer; and the wet-sump variation of the LT4 supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 generates incredible power. Imagine a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat which can handle corners like a race car, a Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 with one hundred and twenty-four additional horsepower, and a BMW M4 with even superior steering. The Camaro ZL1 embodies all of these features and more.
The particular components included in the ZL1 are well-known. Many individuals, upon encountering this automobile, will interpret it to be a Corvette Z06, with four seats, a base price of sixty-three thousand, four hundred and thirty-five dollars, which amounts to a seventeen thousand and ten dollar savings when compared to the extraordinary Corvette. However, the ZL1 is not precisely identical to the Z06, although elements do share similarities. The ZL1 contains its own exclusive addition to the Chevrolet performance parts database, which is the new 10-speed automatic transmission [please see “Explained” for more details]. The mandated six-speed manual gearbox, featuring its considerably weighted shifter and clutch pedal, is an ideal option for those eager to select their own gears, yet the automatic transmission is a paranormal device.
It provides a powerful first gear, then rapidly returns to fewer rpm with each shift, racing from one gear to another with the speed of a motorcycle. To put it differently, within Los Angeles traffic, the transmission carefully chooses directions without being detected. At any speed, it shifts with minimal torque decrease and never fails to locate the proper gear. When demanding acceleration, the transmission will execute an immediate yet subtle downshift without any intermediary steps. Mat the throttle from sixty miles per hour and an impeccable transformation from tenth to third gear awakens the LT4 like a lion disturbed by an iron poker.
A good example of the ZL1’s fifty to seventy miles per hour passing performance is a testament to the transmission. We initiated this once the transmission had picked its highest ratio while the car moved along at its cruising speed of fifty miles per hour. It accomplished the task in two-point-one seconds, just three-tenths of a second behind the Tesla Model S P90D, with its five hundred and thirty-two horsepower engine and single-speed transmission, which does not need to switch gears.
The designers provided the ZL1 with six hundred and fifty horsepower and six hundred and fifty pound-feet of torque before leaving it to the driver to maintain the restraint essential for the greatest acceleration. Despite the presence of launch control, the quickest road to sixty miles per hour requires pushing down on the brake, then cautiously and gradually pressing on the accelerator. An active second gear being achieved as the throttle is fully pressed down is the objective. It is essential to shift manually, since the automatic box may switch gears before the six thousand five hundred rpm redline, should it detect a lethargic right foot. Proficiency gains recognition. After three-point-four seconds, the speedometer quickly jumps up. The quarter mile passes at one hundred and twenty-five miles per hour merely eleven-point-five seconds after releasing the brake.
Originally, no major adjustments are made to the transmission calibration when transitioning between the ZL1’s driving modes. In sport and track settings, the engine cuts fuel while switching gears for quicker gearchanges, along with an audible blat, however the computer still locates the same shift points. When spirited driving activates one of the three performance algorithms, the same sport and track settings are enabled. The introductory stage holds gears when the accelerator is lifted, and will downshift depending on the engine’s revs, whereas the most intense mode keeps the lowest possible gear trackable.
The processor examines both brake and throttle inputs and lateral g’s in order to switch on performance shifting or to switch back to the established setting after a period of very light peddling. The only approach to determine which performance algorithm is current is to watch where the needle of the seven thousand five hundred rpm tachometer rests. It is a unique and complicated approach of controlling the transmission, but functions with unforeseen proficiency. All it requires is a single corner of determined driving to activate the performance shift.
The abundance of gears unfortunately detracts from the joy of manually shifting through the gears. Difficulties were further brought to light when engineers attempted to relieve this tedious process by writing code that would shift to the lowest possible gear when the left shift paddle is held down. However, this solution was highly erratic in its performance as the shift times could be nearly instantaneous, or last for a few seconds, and even not occur whatsoever.
A prodigious upgrade for the sixth-generation ZL1 was made possible with the 10-speed transmission, the Electronic Limited Slip Differential, and the addition of 70 horsepower, not to mention its lighter, more maneuverable Alpha architecture that decreases its weight by over 200 pounds in comparison to the prior model. This is still quite substantial for a coupe weighing in at 3933 pounds, however its traction is furthered by a dynamic variable-ratio steering rack and its impressive Performance Traction Management with 5 adjustable settings.
Not to be overlooked, a newly implemented line-lock further increases performance as it gives up to 15 seconds to warm the rear tires before a drag run or smokeout. This feature is set off by the robust launch control that includes both automated and custom launch rpm settings as well as a range of 5 to 15% slip.
The ZL1 is advertised to be amply capable at the track, the strip, skidpad and the highway. From our experience, the combination of powerful brakes, quick yet precise steering and strong torque make this car extraordinary for joyrides on great roads. Seatbelts with bright red upholstery finish the overall vibrant experience.
To give credit where it’s due, the Ford F-150 Raptor and Camaro ZL1’s 10-speed transmissions have their bases in the same gearbox, the product of a collaborative effort between the two major automakers. With its capability to handle an impressive 650 pound-feet of torque, all 10 speeds are attained through four planetary gearsets with six clutches that operate concurrently. The transmission case fits with GM’s eight-speed that itself nests inside of its prior six-speed version with its 7.38:1 range being slightly less than other longitudinal automatics on the market. However, its shorter gaps between ratios produces near-peak engine performance throughout full-throttle acceleration runs.
All in all, with the Chevy Camaro ZL1, you get the highest standard of powerful hardware and features at an exceptional rate. One can only imagine what it’d be capable of with lighter tires and excess weight removed. Nevertheless, this car is ideal for everyday use and can tackle any road with confidence. It is greater than its individual components.