2013 Chevrolet Camaro To Get 1LE Package, Positioned As Mustang Boss 302 Rival

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

The 1LE package Chevrolet Camaros have a long history in competitive motorsports, with the 1LE package on the third and fourth generation Camaro offered as a means to make the car competitive in SCCA Showroom Stock racing. For 2012, the 1LE will return to compete with the Ford Mustang Boss 302.

Pictures at Camaro5.com purportedly show a Camaro 1LE concept, seen above. A matte black front hood as well as a grey front splitter and rear spoiler are the biggest visual changes, along with wheels borrowed from the Camaro ZL1. Chassis changes include thicker sway bars front and back (27mm and 28 mm respectively) as well as a higher 3.91 final drive and a liquid cooling system for the 6-speed manual. A dual-mode exhaust (similar to the Corvette), variable effort power steering borrowed from the ZL1, upgraded shock mounts, toe links, wheel bearings, a strut brace and a ZL1 fuel pump are also on hand to make the car more durable for track work. The 1LE may not be as focused a track machine as the Boss 302, but the upgrades sound promising in light of the performance and price deltas between the Camaro SS and the ZL1. Chevrolet is apparently touting a sub 3 minute laptime at VIR, as well as 1 G on the skidpad. Over to you, Jack.

Official press release below

2013 Camaro 1LE: 426-hp, 1g cornering, under $40,000

1LE features Camaro ZL1-inspired chassis and suspension enhancements


2013 Camaro LT, SS and ZL1 models available with MyLink infotainment system

DETROIT – The road-racing inspired Camaro 1LE performance package returns for 2013 with unique gearing, suspension tuning, and tires that makes the model capable of more than 1 g of lateral acceleration and a sub-three minute lap time at Virginia International Raceway’s Grand Course. It is offered on Camaro SS coupes with manual transmissions.

“The Camaro 1LE combines the best elements of the SS and ZL1 to take road-racing performance to a whole new level,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “That the 1LE breaks the three-minute lap at VIR puts it in the upper echelon of performance cars. That it starts under $40,000 makes the Camaro 1LE one of the most affordable, most capable track-day cars offered by any manufacturer.”

In anticipation of consumers entering the 1LE in amateur-racing events, Chevrolet is pursuing SCCA approval of the 1LE package for Touring Class competition.

For 2013, all Camaro SS models including the 1LE will feature standard variable-effort electric power steering and an available dual-mode exhaust system. Both features were introduced on the ZL1. Additionally, 2013 Camaro LT, SS and ZL1 models are available with Chevrolet’s color touch radio with MyLink infotainment system.

“With the 2013 model year, Camaro offers something for almost every driver, including: the 323-horsepower, 30-mpg 2LS; the all-new, 580-horsepower supercharged ZL1 convertible; the COPO Camaro for drag-racing; and the new 1LE for amateur track days,” said John Fitzpatrick, Camaro marketing manager. “We expect the range of choices, and enhancements for 2013, will help Camaro remain America’s most-popular sports car.”

Camaro sales were up nearly 20 percent for the first two months of the year, building on an 8.5-percent gain for all of 2011. The 1LE package goes on sale this fall with the 2013 Camaro line. Pricing will be released later this year.

A heritage of handling

The Camaro 1LE package was introduced in 1988, inspired by Camaro’s involvement in Pro-Am road racing.

For 2013, the 1LE package is offered only on 1SS and 2SS coupe models, featuring a 6.2L LS3 V-8, which is rated at 426 horsepower (318 kW) and 420 lb-ft of torque (569 Nm). In addition, 1LE is only available with a six-speed manual transmission.

While the Camaro SS features a Tremec TR6060-M10 for all-around performance, the Camaro 1LE features an exclusive Tremec TR6060-MM6. Paired with a numerically higher 3.91 final-drive ratio, the close-ratio gearing of the transmission is tuned for road-racing performance. As with the ZL1, the 1LE transmission features a standard air-to-liquid cooling system for track use.

The 1LE also features exclusive, monotube rear dampers instead of the twin-tube dampers on SS models. The new hardware allowed engineers to tune the 1LE suspension to focus on optimal body-motion control while preserving much of the ride quality and wheel-motion control of the Camaro SS.

Other changes to optimize the 1LE for track-day use include:

Larger, 27-mm solid front stabilizer bar, and 28-mm solid rear stabilizer bar for improved body control


Higher-capacity rear-axle half shafts to cope with increased levels of traction


Strut tower brace for improved steering feel and response


ZL1-based 20 x 10-inch front and 20 x 11-inch aluminum wheels


285/35ZR20 Goodyear Eagle Supercar G:2 tires front and rear (identical to the front tires for ZL1)


ZL1 wheel bearings, toe links and rear shock mounts for improved on-track performance


ZL1 high-capacity fuel pump and additional fuel pickups for improved fuel delivery during high-cornering

Visually, the 1LE package for 2013 is distinguished by its matte-black hood, front splitter and rear spoiler – as well as the 10-spoke ZL1-based wheels, which are finished in black. The functional front splitter and rear spoiler contribute to the car’s on-track performance by helping to reduce aerodynamic lift at high speeds.

Inside, the 1LE package incorporates the ZL1’s flat-bottom steering wheel, trimmed in sueded-microfiber and designed for easier heel-and-toe driving on the racetrack. The quick-acting, short-throw shifter from the ZL1 is also trimmed in sueded microfiber.

Electric power steering and dual-mode exhaust bring ZL1 technology to SS models

All 2013 Camaro SS models, including the 1LE, will benefit from performance technologies that debuted on the 580-horsepower Camaro ZL1.

The improvements began in 2012, when all SS Coupes incorporated the ZL1-derived chassis element: Stabilizer bars with drop links repositioned outboard of the control arms. This made the stabilizer bars four times more effective than in previous models, for improved control of body roll and crisper response to steering input.

New for 2013, the electric power steering system developed for the ZL1 will be standard on all 2013 SS models. The variable ratio, variable effort system provides light efforts for easy maneuverability at parking-lot speeds as well as increased resistance at higher speeds. This provides more feedback, and a more direct steering feel, to the driver.

Also new for 2013 is an available dual-mode exhaust system, available on Camaro SS models with the LS3 V8 engine and six-speed manual transmissions. Similar to the systems found on the ZL1 and Corvette models, this vacuum-actuated system provides a quieter driving experience at low engine speeds and a more aggressive sound at high engine speeds.

MyLink connects you

Chevrolet’s color touch radio with MyLink infotainment is available on all 2013 Camaro LT, SS and ZL1 models. The color touch radio, with a 7-inch touch screen, also can be paired with an available in-dash GPS navigation system – a first for the Camaro.

The color touch radio with MyLink gives customers a higher level of in-vehicle wireless connectivity and customized infotainment options, while building on the safety and security of OnStar. It seamlessly integrates online services such as Pandora® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio® using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth-enabled phones.

MyLink adds stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles. The high-resolution, full-color touch screen display makes media selection easy to navigate.

MyLink also retains all the capabilities of today’s entertainment functions, including AM/FM/Sirius XM tuners, auxiliary and USB inputs.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

More by Derek Kreindler

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  • Camaro_lover Camaro_lover on Jul 11, 2012

    Shiit I own a 2012 camaro but actually have this 1LE on order, it's going to pretty sweet by the sound of it. I guess you could say a lot of older dudes do own them but I'm still young and I own 2 camaro's... I have the 2012 camaro SS convertible and the 2012 SS coupe... I'm only 21 and you sure as hell don't see me with my vehicles wrapped around no damn tree... I have the 1 LE on order for trade on one of my vehicles... I seriously can't wait until I do get it because of course the better mods that they added on to it....

  • Ohnonothimagain Ohnonothimagain on Jul 20, 2012

    Nice to have a fine muscle car. Whether you're a Chevy fan, a Ford fan, a Dodge fan or an import fan the fact still remains that 99% of ALL these muscle cars are expensive to own. Insurance and gas and maintenance kills the deal unless you make enough money to survive the experience. The days are LONG gone where you could afford to have a sweet ride and actually have enough money left to fill it up. I'm retired and couldn't afford any of these anyway. It's nice to dream of a muscle car-but if I had one what's the chance of it getting creamed by someone texting while driving? All of the muscle car choices have pros and cons. I personally think the Camaro isn't an easy car to see out of for 90% of it's audience. And if you have problems with outward vision, then you're in trouble. And if I had the money that the ZL1 costs, there's a lot of options out there besides this. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.

  • EBFlex China can F right off.
  • MrIcky And tbh, this is why I don't mind a little subsidization of our battery industry. If the American or at least free trade companies don't get some sort of good start, they'll never be able to float long enough to become competitive.
  • SCE to AUX Does the WTO have any teeth? Seems like countries just flail it at each other like a soft rubber stick for internal political purposes.
  • Peter You know we’ve entered the age of self driving vehicles When KIAs go from being stolen to rolling away by themselves.
  • Analoggrotto TTAC is full of drug addicts with short memories. Just beside this article is another very beautiful article about how the EV9 was internationally voted by a renowned board of automotive experts who are no doubt highly educated, wealthy and affluent; the best vehicle in entire world. That's planet earth for you numbskulls. Let me repeat: the best vehicle in the world is the Kia EV9. Voted, and sealed, and if you try to deny it Fanny Willis is ready to prosecute you; but she will send her boyfriend instead because she is busy.
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