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2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 First Test: Raising Hell, Killing Tires, and Feeling the Heat
When the Bugatti Veyron famously rolled off the production line, it came equipped with an astonishing 10 heat exchangers. That 1,001-horsepower testament to Ferdinand Piëch’s automotive vision generated so much thermal energy it required an armada of intercoolers just to stay cool. Fast forward to 2026, and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, packing a formidable 650 horsepower, boasts an even more impressive 11 heat exchangers. As the old saying goes, “Some guys just need a little more horsepower.”
This isn’t just a numbers game, though. The ZL1 represents the pinnacle of Chevrolet’s pony car evolution. Unlike some competitors that prioritize brute force over refinement, the Camaro team meticulously engineered the sixth-generation ZL1 to dominate three distinct arenas: the drag strip, the winding canyon roads, and the unforgiving racetrack. This trifecta of performance capability is what Chevrolet marketing refers to as the #ZL1triplethreat, and it’s a challenge that few vehicles on the planet can genuinely claim to conquer.
Making this ambitious goal a reality wasn’t just about cramming more power under the hood. Chevrolet’s engineers leveraged the advanced Alpha platform, the same lightweight architecture that underpins the Cadillac ATS and CTS. This decision resulted in a significant weight reduction of 169 pounds compared to the previous-generation ZL1, despite the increase in horsepower. Furthermore, the ZL1 features aggressively flared front fenders to accommodate the massive 285-width Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires, shared with the track-focused Camaro SS 1LE, ensuring maximum grip when carving through corners.
At the heart of this beast lies the LT4 engine, a 6.2-liter, direct-injected V8 crowned with a top-mounted 1.7-liter intercooled supercharger. This powerplant is a modified version of the celebrated engine found in the Corvette Z06, where it produces 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. A slightly less potent 640-hp variant resides in the Cadillac CTS-V. However, the ZL1’s LT4 is a recalibrated version specifically tuned for this application, delivering the same headline figures as the Z06 but with a crucial difference: superior thermal management.
While the Z06’s LT4 is known to experience heat soak during aggressive driving, the ZL1 is engineered to endure. Chevrolet’s engineers went to extraordinary lengths to ensure the ZL1 could handle sustained high-performance driving without overheating. During our testing, which involved six sets of rear tires in just four days, the thunderous V8 never once showed signs of thermal distress. This remarkable cooling efficiency is thanks to the additional heat exchangers, including two redesigned and repositioned intercoolers that flank the supercharger. It’s a testament to Chevrolet’s commitment to delivering a no-compromise performance machine that maintains its composure when pushed to the limit.
Another significant technological leap for the 2017 ZL1 is the debut of General Motors’ 10-speed automatic transmission. Co-developed with Ford, this advanced gearbox features unique gearing, valving, and control software optimized for performance driving. The first six gears are tightly spaced to keep the engine in its optimal powerband, while the seventh gear serves as a direct 1:1 ratio. Gears eight through ten are reserved for highway cruising, providing exceptional fuel efficiency during everyday driving.
The transmission choice also impacts the vehicle’s classification and potential tax implications. Cars equipped with a manual transmission are subject to a $1,300 Gas Guzzler tax. The EPA was still deliberating the official figures for the automatic version, but the presence of three overdrive gears offered the possibility of a reduced tax of $1,000 or even no tax at all. This could make the 10-speed automatic, which was originally a $1,595 option, a surprisingly affordable proposition at potentially just $295.
When the first-generation ZL1 debuted in 2012 with its 580 horsepower, it was quickly overshadowed in straight-line acceleration by the 662-horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500. That formidable Shelby, with its unusually long gear ratios, could hit 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds and devour the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at 125.7 mph. The original ZL1 lagged behind, needing 3.9 seconds to reach 60 mph and running the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds at 116.6 mph. Chevrolet claimed that the 2017 10-speed ZL1 could achieve 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds at 127 mph.
Our own test team was able to verify the 3.5-second 0-60 mph time. However, in the quarter mile, road test editor Chris Walton’s best run was an 11.5-second pass at 125 mph. The discrepancy can be attributed to the 91-octane premium gasoline available in California, which is less potent than the 93-octane fuel used in Michigan, where Chevrolet conducts much of its testing. Yes, the 650-horsepower Camaro mandates premium fuel. Nevertheless, an 11.5-second quarter-mile time is a formidable achievement, surpassing both the out-of-production Shelby GT500 and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which clocks in at 11.7 seconds at 125.4 mph. This performance places the ZL1 in the company of a host of bona fide supercars.
But the ZL1 isn’t just about straight-line speed. Its prowess extends to handling circuits, where it posted an elite time of 23.1 seconds on our figure-eight course. This places it in rarefied air, matching the 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S with all-wheel steering and coming within a hair’s breadth of the best times ever recorded. For context, the Camaro SS 1LE, the BMW M4 GTS, and the Shelby GT350R all required 23.3 seconds to complete the same course. The fastest figure-eight lap we’ve ever witnessed was a remarkable 22.2 seconds by the 918 Spyder, meaning this near-two-ton Camaro is less than a second off the pace of the world’s best hybrid hypercar. The GT500 takes 24.2 seconds, while the two-door Hellcat needs 24.7 seconds. Furthermore, the ZL1’s braking performance is equally impressive, coming to a complete stop from 60 mph in just 96 feet—anything under 100 feet is considered excellent.
Since my initial drive in July, I’ve consistently described the Camaro SS 1LE as one of the best-handling cars currently on sale. It earned fourth place in our Best Driver’s Car competition behind the Carrera S, the GT350R, and the winning McLaren 570S. It’s tempting to view the ZL1 as simply a 1LE with an additional 195 horsepower. However, the added weight from the extensive cooling system and the nearly 200-pound increase from the supercharged engine detract from the ZL1’s lithe grace. The ZL1 doesn’t dance like a ballerina; it hits like a heavyweight boxer’s fist with a horseshoe hidden inside the glove.
While it may lack the subtle feel and connection that driving purists crave, the ZL1 compensates with sheer, unadulterated performance. You’re not just driving the road; you’re dominating it. The Goodyear tires are nothing short of remarkable, and Chevrolet’s engineers have done a masterful job with the ZL1’s rear suspension. By lowering the roll center and optimizing the electronic limited-slip differential, they’ve created a drift machine of the highest caliber. Crucially, the rear wheels have no trouble putting down the LT4’s prodigious power. I cycled through the various Performance Traction modes—Wet, Sport 1, Sport 2, and Race—but ultimately found that with all nannies disabled, the ZL1 unleashed its full potential.
As our on-call professional racer, Randy Pobst, observed, “In the aggressive driving modes, such as Sport and Track, the throttle actually opens more slowly to get more control. That’s necessary when the tires are near the cornering limit.” He elaborated further, stating, “Chevy engineers gave me credit for suggesting that. And I think it’s fantastic. I have long believed that a more aggressive throttle opening in sport modes is a bad idea because it makes the driver less smooth. I am flattered.”
At the sprawling Willow Springs Raceway, we had Randy lap a trio of vehicles: an SS 1LE, a ZL1 with a manual transmission, and a ZL1 with the 10-speed automatic. The SS 1LE recorded a lap time of 1:28.29, which is exceptional, considering it’s a tenth of a second quicker than the previous-generation Camaro Z/28, a former Best Driver’s Car winner and a track-focused monster with more power. The manual transmission ZL1 followed, posting a blistering 1:26.16.
