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2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 First Test: Brute Squad Goals
Raising Hell, Killing Tires, and Feeling the Heat
By Jonny Lieberman • Contributing Writer • Robin Trajano • Photographer
December 21, 2016
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2017-chevrolet-camaro-zl1-first-test-review/
The Bugatti Veyron, the legendary hypercar that once held the title of the world’s fastest production automobile, famously came equipped with a staggering 10 heat exchangers. This engineering marvel, a testament to Ferdinand Piëch’s ambitious vision, generated such intense thermal energy that it required an elaborate cooling system to prevent its delicate powerplant from succumbing to the heat. In a fascinating twist of automotive evolution, the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, a machine of decidedly different pedigree and price point, boasts an even more impressive count of 11 heat exchangers. One cannot help but recall the iconic line from the rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap: “These go to eleven.”
Such is the extreme nature of the latest iteration of the Camaro, a vehicle that represents the pinnacle of performance engineering from Chevrolet. This model, likely the most powerful and arguably the most formidable Camaro ever offered to the public by the iconic American automaker, is not merely an exercise in excess. Unlike some of its direct competitors, such as the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which sometimes appear to prioritize raw power for its own sake, the Camaro ZL1’s aggressive design and engineering are driven by a clear and compelling purpose. The Camaro team behind this remarkable machine set for themselves a trio of ambitious objectives, each representing a distinct facet of high-performance driving.
The vision for the ZL1, as articulated by Camaro boss Al Oppenheiser, was to create a vehicle that could dominate the automotive landscape in three critical arenas: the quarter-mile drag strip, the winding and technical canyon road, and the demanding precision of a professional racetrack. This trifecta of performance targets forms the very essence of what Chevrolet markets as the #ZL1triplethreat. Achieving such a comprehensive level of excellence across such diverse disciplines is no small feat. However, Oppenheiser and his team were fortunate to have a superb foundation upon which to build. The sixth-generation Camaro platform, known for its lightweight rigidity and sophisticated handling characteristics, provided the perfect starting point. Furthermore, the team had access to an extensive arsenal of high-performance components from GM’s vast parts bin, enabling them to push the boundaries of what was previously thought possible for a Camaro.
One of the most significant factors contributing to the ZL1’s enhanced performance is the remarkable weight reduction achieved compared to its predecessor. Despite the significant increase in horsepower—a substantial gain of 70 ponies over the last-generation ZL1—the curb weight has been reduced by an impressive 169 pounds. This weight savings can be largely attributed to the adoption of the Alpha platform, an advanced chassis architecture that also serves as the foundation for Cadillac’s lauded ATS and CTS sports sedans. The engineering decisions made in the development of the ZL1 further underscore the vehicle’s performance-oriented nature. For instance, the front fenders have been notably flared compared to other Camaro models. This modification was not merely an aesthetic choice; it was a functional necessity to accommodate the massive 285-width Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires. These exceptional tires, also utilized on the Camaro SS 1LE model, provide an extraordinary level of grip, which is essential for managing the ZL1’s immense power and cornering forces.
At the heart of this automotive beast lies the LT4 engine, a compact yet immensely powerful V-8 powerplant that can only be described as a miniature atomic device. This remarkable engine, with its 6.2-liter displacement and direct-injection technology, is most famously known for its application in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, where it produces a formidable 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. A slightly detuned version, generating 640 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque, can be found under the hood of the Cadillac CTS-V. All three variations of the LT4 engine share a common characteristic: a top-mounted 1.7-liter intercooled supercharger that forces air into the combustion chambers, dramatically increasing power output.
It is important to note a crucial detail that Chevrolet’s marketing materials might downplay: the LT4 engine in the Corvette Z06 is known to experience cooling issues under demanding conditions. The mighty heart of the Corvette has been known to “heat soak,” where the engine’s operating temperature rises to a point where performance can be compromised. However, this is not the case with the Camaro ZL1. The ZL1’s sophisticated cooling system, which incorporates those 11 heat exchangers, ensures that the engine operates within optimal temperature parameters even under the most strenuous abuse. In fact, two of these 11 heat exchangers are the redesigned intercoolers that flank the supercharger, a testament to the engineering effort put into solving the cooling challenges. It is also noteworthy that the Camaro ZL1’s LT4 produces exactly the same power and torque figures as the Z06. In previous generations of the Camaro, the Corvette, as Chevrolet’s halo sports car, would invariably be the model with the highest official power ratings. However, the modern automotive landscape allows for the Camaro to be as powerful as the company deems necessary, reflecting the evolving performance expectations of the market.
Another significant technological debut in the 2017 ZL1 is General Motors’ 10-speed automatic transmission. This transmission, co-developed to a certain extent with Ford, features unique gearing, valving, and control software specifically tailored for the Camaro application. The gear ratios are engineered to provide optimal performance across a wide range of driving scenarios. The first six gears are very closely spaced, ensuring that the engine stays within its optimal powerband during spirited acceleration. The seventh gear serves as a direct-drive ratio, providing a seamless and efficient connection between the engine and the wheels. The eighth, ninth, and tenth gears are overdrive ratios, designed for highway cruising to maximize fuel efficiency and reduce engine revolutions at high speeds.
The choice of transmission also has implications for the vehicle’s fuel economy and the potential imposition of a federal gas guzzler tax. For buyers opting for the six-speed manual version of the ZL1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to levy a $1,300 gas guzzler tax due to its projected fuel consumption. The EPA had not yet released the official fuel economy figures for the automatic transmission at the time of this writing. However, there was a possibility that the 10-speed automatic version might incur a lower tax of only $1,000, or potentially no tax at all, thanks to those three overdrive gears. This could significantly narrow the price gap between the manual and automatic transmission options, transforming the automatic from a $1,595 option to a much more palatable $295 upgrade. Nevertheless, our prediction was that the $1,000 tax would likely be the reality.
When the previous-generation 580-horsepower ZL1 was introduced in 2012, it was soon surpassed in straight-line acceleration by the formidable 662-horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500. That burly Shelby, equipped with its unusually tall gear ratios, could achieve 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds, with first gear alone being sufficient to reach that velocity. In the quarter mile, the GT500 recorded an impressive 11.6-second run at 125.7 mph. The older Camaro ZL1, in comparison, required 3.9 seconds to reach 60 mph and posted a quarter-mile time of 12.2 seconds at 116.6 mph. Chevrolet was claiming that the 2017 10-speed ZL1 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds at 127 mph.
Fortunately for automotive enthusiasts, our team of road testers was able to verify the 3.5-second 0-60 mph claim. However, our quarter-mile performance differed slightly from the manufacturer’s projection. Road test editor Chris Walton achieved a best time of 11.5 seconds at 125 miles per hour. The discrepancy between our results and Chevy’s claim could be attributed to the type of gasoline used. Our test was conducted in California, where the highest octane readily available is 91-octane premium gasoline. In contrast, Chevrolet’s testing was likely performed in Michigan, where 93-octane premium, a higher-quality fuel, is available. Yes, Virginia, the 650-horsepower Camaro does indeed require premium gasoline. Nevertheless, an 11.5-second quarter-mile time is an exceptional achievement, outperforming both the phantom (and now out-of-production) Shelby GT500 and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which required 11.7 seconds at 125.4 mph in our testing. A time of 11.5 seconds in the quarter mile is a performance level that would be the envy of many bona fide supercars.
The Camaro ZL1’s prowess extends far beyond straight-line acceleration. The monstrous Chevrolet also demonstrates remarkable agility on our figure-eight handling circuit, where it recorded an elite time of 23.1 seconds. To provide some context for this impressive figure, the Camaro SS
