🔻 WATCH FULL VIDEO BELOW🔻

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 First Test: Brute Squad Goals
Raising Hell, Killing Tires, and Feeling the Heat
By Jonny Lieberman, Senior Editor at MotorTrend
Photography by Robin Trajano
Published: December 21, 2016
2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 front three quarter burnout e1482297740407
When you think of automotive engineering extremes, the Bugatti Veyron immediately comes to mind. That legendary hypercar, a monument to Ferdinand Piëch’s ambition, boasted a staggering 1,001 horsepower and required no less than ten heat exchangers to manage its thermal output. Now, fast forward to the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, a machine packing 650 horsepower. You might expect it to need a substantial cooling system, but the reality is even more extreme: the ZL1 is equipped with eleven heat exchangers. That’s one more than the Veyron, a fact that elicits more than a few raised eyebrows in the automotive world.
But here’s the crucial distinction: the ZL1’s extreme engineering isn’t just for show. Unlike its direct competitor, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which often feels like a brute-force creation, the Camaro ZL1’s performance enhancements are the result of a deliberate, multi-faceted development strategy. Camaro boss Al Oppenheiser had a clear vision for this sixth-generation icon: he wanted the ZL1 to dominate on three distinct battlegrounds: the drag strip, the winding canyon roads, and the demanding confines of a racetrack. This ambitious #ZL1triplethreat objective presented a monumental challenge, but Chevrolet had the right foundation, the right engineering team, and the right components to make a serious bid for glory.
One of the most significant factors in the ZL1’s success is its platform. While horsepower has increased by 70 ponies compared to the previous-generation ZL1, weight has been reduced by an impressive 169 pounds. This weight savings is largely attributable to the adoption of the Alpha platform, the same advanced architecture that underpins the Cadillac ATS and CTS. The front fenders on the ZL1 have been strategically flared to accommodate the substantial 285-width Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires, which are also featured on the Camaro SS 1LE. On the 1LE, these tires already push the limits of grip, but on the ZL1, they form the foundation for even more aggressive performance.
At the heart of the ZL1 lies the LT4 engine, a marvel of supercharged V8 engineering. This 6.2-liter, direct-injected powerhouse shares its core DNA with other high-performance GM vehicles. The Corvette Z06 utilizes a dry-sump version producing 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, while the Cadillac CTS-V employs a wet-sump variant rated at 640 horsepower and 630 lb-ft. The ZL1’s LT4 is a slightly detuned wet-sump version, but it still delivers a formidable 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. What sets the ZL1 apart is its advanced cooling system, which addresses the thermal limitations often encountered in the Z06.
This is where those eleven heat exchangers come into play. Two of these are the intercoolers that flank the supercharger, and they’ve been completely redesigned and repositioned for ZL1 duty. The remaining nine are dedicated to cooling the engine oil, transmission fluid, rear differential fluid, and supercharger air-to-liquid system. The result is a car that can be driven hard, lap after lap, without succumbing to heat soak. During our testing, which involved six sets of rear tires in just four days, the ZL1’s thunderous V8 never so much as simmered. This level of thermal management is a testament to Chevrolet’s engineering prowess and ensures that the ZL1 can deliver consistent, blistering performance when you demand it most.
Beyond the engine and cooling system, the 2017 Camaro ZL1 marks a significant milestone for Chevrolet: the debut of GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Co-developed to some extent with Ford, this transmission features unique gearing, valving, and control software specifically tailored for the ZL1. The first six gears are tightly spaced to keep the engine in its optimal powerband, seventh gear is a direct 1:1 ratio for efficient cruising, and eighth, ninth, and tenth gears serve as overdrive gears for highway fuel economy. Should you opt for the six-speed manual version, the federal government will hit you with a $1,300 Gas Guzzler tax. The EPA’s final ratings for the automatic were pending at the time of our test, but with three overdrive gears, there was a chance the 10-speed ZL1 might only incur a $1,000 tax, or potentially none at all. This could significantly narrow the price gap between the manual and automatic versions, making the $1,595 automatic option seem like an even better value at just $295. However, my bet was on the $1,000 tax, a worthwhile investment for the convenience and performance this transmission offers.
When the previous-generation 580-hp ZL1 debuted in 2012, it was quickly overshadowed in straight-line acceleration by the 662-hp 2013 Shelby GT500. That burly Shelby, with its unusually long gearing, could hit 60 mph in a staggering 3.5 seconds (in first gear alone) and complete the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at 125.7 mph. The original ZL1 managed a respectable 3.9 seconds to 60 mph and a 12.2-second quarter mile at 116.6 mph. Chevrolet claims that the 2017 10-speed ZL1 can dispatch 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and run 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 achieved a best of 11.5 seconds at 125 mph. This slight discrepancy can be attributed to the California 91-octane premium gasoline used during our test, compared to the 93-octane fuel available in Michigan. Yes, Virginia, this 650-horsepower Camaro demands premium fuel. Nevertheless, an 11.5-second quarter mile is quicker than both the phantom (out of production) Shelby bogey and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which requires 11.7 seconds at 125.4 mph. More impressively, an 11.5-second quarter mile beats a substantial number of supercars.
The ZL1’s performance extends far beyond straight-line acceleration. This monstrous Chevy also excels on our figure-eight handling circuit, where it laid down an elite time of 23.1 seconds. For context, the Camaro SS 1LE, the BMW M4 GTS, and the Shelby GT350R all clock in at 23.3 seconds. A 23.1-second time puts this nearly two-ton Camaro on par with the 3,353-pound 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S with all-wheel steering. Speaking of Porsche, the fastest figure-eight lap we’ve ever recorded was set by the 918 Spyder at 22.2 seconds. This means the Camaro ZL1 is less than a second off the best time we’ve ever seen. In comparison, the GT500 takes 24.2 seconds, and the two-door Hellcat requires 24.7 seconds. Furthermore, the ZL1 can come to a complete stop from 60 mph in just 96 feet, a figure that should be considered excellent by any standard.
Since my initial drive last July, I’ve been extolling the virtues of the Camaro SS 1LE as one of the very best handling cars currently available. In our annual Best Driver’s Car competition, it secured fourth place, trailing only the aforementioned Carrera S, the Shelby GT350R, and the winning McLaren 570S. It’s tempting to view the ZL1 as simply a 1LE with an additional 195 horsepower. However, the extensive auxiliary cooling system and the nearly 200-pound weight penalty from the engine sap the ZL1 of the 1LE’s inherent grace and fluidity. As a result, the ZL1 doesn’t dance like a ballerina; instead, it strikes with the force of a heavyweight boxer’s fist, complete with a horseshoe hidden inside the glove. While there may not be an abundance of feel, connection, or subtlety—the kind of ineffable qualities that automotive scribes often wax poetic about—the ZL1’s performance is undeniable. You’re not simply dancing with the road; you’re dominating it.
The burning question then becomes: could the Shelby GT500 or Hellcat possibly keep up? The answer is a resounding no. This Camaro absolutely flies. The Goodyear tires are remarkable, but the Camaro team also deserves credit for their exceptional work on the ZL1’s rear suspension. They’ve lowered the roll center and refined the electronic limited