The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Should Satisfy Z/28 Holdouts

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Chevrolet’s Camaro ZL1 is already renowned for its ability to put down massive amounts of power in the corners and the straights. When General Motors switched over to the Alpha platform, it made sure that the ZL1 was a serious contender on the track, drag strip, highway, or any other evenly paved road. For 2018, the ZL1 1LE aims to add additional grace upon closed-course tarmac and transform an already track-capable car into a street-legal racer.

With more wings than a flock of birds, it certainly appears as if it would be more than competent at a track day and the black hood, mirrors, and wheels further enhance the definitely-not-a-street-car look. However, unlike the dark paint, the oversized carbon fiber rear wing, bumper canards, and deflectors provide functional downforce for cornering in addition to an extreme image.

Unlike a track car, the vehicle’s interior remains unchanged from the “typical” ZL1 — the only difference is a lightened rear seat. Creature comforts remain, as the 1LE even has heated and ventilated front seats, dual climate control, a Bose premium audio system, and a performance data recorder that is normally optional on the standard car.

The ZL1 1LE also uses the same 650-horsepower supercharged LT4 engine, but it ditches the 10-speed automatic transmission for a six-speed manual. With Chevrolet’s active rev matching, it should make for some easy and satisfying pre-corner downshifts.

“The new Camaro ZL1 1LE offers the supreme track experience,” said Mark Dickens, executive director of Chevrolet Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports Engineering in a statement. “It’s the pinnacle of Camaro performance and advances the 1LE’s nearly 30-year legacy of uncompromising, track-tailored capability.”

Those claims aren’t baseless, either. General Motors gave the 1LE a Multimatic DSSV suspension setup with adjustable ride-height dampening, camber plates, and stiff race springs. The rear stabilizer can also be fettled with. Chevy claims all the hardware is designed for quick changes that allow for easy race setups and quick returns — meaning you can drive the car home on uneven pavement without violently compressing your spine.

Adding further grip is set of impressive tires, with a pair of 305 mm units up front and ludicrous 325 mm jobs in the rear. If customers are so inclined, they can make those tires Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only rubber, which GM says can hold 1.10g in a turn. During testing at the 2.9-mile Milford proving grounds the company claimed the 1LE shaved three seconds off the standard ZL1’s best time.

Considering that the “normal” version already trumps the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 in outright power and is much more poised than Dodge’s 707 hp Hellcat, the 1LE should further widen the on-track performance gap. The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE goes on sale this year but pricing is yet unannounced.

[Image: General Motors]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Xflowgolf Xflowgolf on Feb 28, 2017

    These new performance monsters right out of the factory turn key and drive it home are incredible. What an amazing time in the automobile landscape. I've always been more of a Mustang fan aesthetically, but this just looks mean! I love living in a world where things like the 1LE package get green lighted.

    • DearS DearS on Feb 28, 2017

      Agreed. I always bought imports, but now I am now a Chevy, Ford, and Chrysler (SRT) fan. Looking towards getting an affordable 2016 Camaro or Mustang in the coming years.

  • True_Blue True_Blue on Feb 28, 2017

    Those complaining about the splitters, wings, and planes know they're completely functional, right? "If it works and it looks stupid... it ain't stupid." For my money, I'd still choose a GT350R, forego the 2.whatever seconds per lap on the 'Ring for more cohesive looks and that divine exhaust note - but when a Camaro can and will eat performance versions of the Ultimate Driveway Machine for a light brunch, I'd say we're all winning.

  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
  • Tassos Jong-iL Communist America Rises!
  • Merc190 A CB7 Accord with the 5 cylinder
  • MRF 95 T-Bird Daihatsu Copen- A fun Kei sized roadster. Equipped with a 660cc three, a five speed manual and a retractable roof it’s all you need. Subaru Levorg wagon-because not everyone needs a lifted Outback.
  • Merc190 I test drive one of these back in the day with an automatic, just to drive an Alfa, with a Busso no less. Didn't care for the dash design, would be a fun adventure to find some scrapped Lancia Themas or Saab 900's and do some swapping to make car even sweeter. But definitely lose the ground effects.
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