2012 Camaro ZL1

[AutoInsane]

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110209/CHICAGO/110209883


The most closely guarded secret of the Chicago auto show broke cover on Tuesday morning in the form of the king of all Camaros--the 550-hp ZL1.

The name recalls a Chevrolet racing engine dropped into just 69 Camaros in 1969, making them highly coveted among enthusiasts.

This new version will offer a six-speed manual transmission paired with the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that pushes out 550 lb-ft of torque. The car has been fortified with a host of aero enhancements, including a front fascia and an angry splitter. There also is added cooling capability for the gearbox and the differential.

The aluminum hood has a carbon-fiber insert, and the ZL1 rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear tires. The chassis gets General Motors' next-generation magnetic ride control with touring and sport settings. Speed is scrubbed with Brembos clamping onto 14-inch discs.

The interior gets available suede inserts, a leather-wrapped shifter and a flat-bottom steering wheel.

“It's designed to surpass its namesake in every conceivable way,” GM design chief Ed Welburn said of the car.

The ZL1 was tested at the Road America and Spring Mountain circuits, and it will take aim at the Mustang GT500. The ZL1 is a bit more powerful than the 465-hp Dodge Challenger SRT8.

And, get this, GM says it is targeting next January to launch the ZL1, and that it's still developing the car.

[AutoInsane]

I think this should have been the Z28. If Chevy wants to do a ZL1 then put the aluminum LS7 427 in it....

[al8apex]

Shot 2 weeks ago at the Desert Proving Grounds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7eD0_dlXYM&feature=player_embedded

[StealthBird]

Interesting, I thought the ZL-1 was already being made.

http://slpcamaro.com/zl-models/zl1/

http://www.slpcamaro.com/prodimages/ZL1-Front3-4.jpg

[Stefano]

The Fred GIbb commemorative edition ZL1s number 2-50 will be available, through Nickey, including 427 transplants, all under license with the GIbb family.

[sYc]

Cool...a true Gibb ZL-1 Camaro.

[al8apex]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StealthBird</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Interesting, I thought the ZL-1 was already being made.

http://slpcamaro.com/zl-models/zl1/
</div></div>

not by GM ...

http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/cama...-auto-show.html (http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/camaro/2012/2012-chevrolet-camaro-zl1-flexes-muscle-at-2011-chicago-auto-show.html)

http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro-zl1/#image1

[PxTx]

I think I read that MSRP for the base ZL1 config is about $48k. I wonder how that will impact Motion and other special builds.

[sYc]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AutoInsane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think this should have been the Z28. If Chevy wants to do a ZL1 then put the aluminum LS7 427 in it.... </div></div>

I agree..

[P.J.]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AutoInsane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think this should have been the Z28. If Chevy wants to do a ZL1 then put the aluminum LS7 427 in it.... </div></div>

YES YES AND~YES
PJ

[Stefano]

I agree too! An LS7 with a NIckey designed Stage III cam at 700 HP gets it done!

[ORIGLS6]

I'd choose a Nickey built ZL-1 any day!

[Andy]

I like the looks of the car and am seriously contemplating getting one. 550 hp, full GM warranty, and it will be priced competitively with other cars in the market segment. The ZL1 was built by Chevrolet back in 69 and that's how it should be built today. The aftermarket build cars will not hold the value a factory produced car will imho.

[ORIGLS6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Andy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The aftermarket build cars will not hold the value a factory produced car will imho. </div></div>

Hmmm.

[jannes_z-28]

From the horses mouth:
http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/...vrolet/0208_lsa (http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Feb/11chicago/chevrolet/0208_lsa)


http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/...208_zl1_history (http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Feb/11chicago/chevrolet/0208_zl1_history)

The links has some images too.

Jan

[70 copo]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Andy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the looks of the car and am seriously contemplating getting one. 550 hp, full GM warranty, and it will be priced competitively with other cars in the market segment. The ZL1 was built by Chevrolet back in 69 and that's how it should be built today. The aftermarket build cars will not hold the value a factory produced car will imho. </div></div>

I think the aftermarket cars will still be the pick of the lot 20 years from now. The buyer of a Nickey, BM, SLP and others can still create a car with option content that will make these cars individual. The factory ZL-1 after the basic cosmetics will be the same cars and to some degree mass produced unless GM limits production.

Also let's compare HP numbers. The SLP ZL-1 makes 750 HP. The new factory car could have been made with an LS-9 like the ZR-1 then you have an apples to apples comparison for the top dog engine just like the 1969 COPO (ZL-1).

New factory &quot;ZL-1&quot; was intended to be the Z28. IMO... With the engine and the modifications from the factory the switch to the name ZL1 seems odd and again out of sinc with what the car's specifications turned out to be.

[66 L78 ragtop]

I thought SLP had the sole right to the ZL-1 trademark?

[CanCOPO]

While one should not question the car gods at GM we have to wonder: A retro styled RS Camaro without hideaway headlights and now a ZL1 without a 427. But it does have nineteen (19) ZL1 badges.

[Stefano]

The Nickey built Fred Gibb Commemorative 427 Camaro serial number 1, made 847 HP and 910 foot pds of tq on pump gas. The car could go over the 1,000 HP mark, with a pulley change and switching to race gas.

550 HP is cool, but there are customers who want more, much more.

[AutoInsane]

Stefano - what would a Camaro with a LS7 with not too many frills cost from you guys?

[69 Post Sedan]

I caught this on another site. Personally....not bad for the price. Should run with a GT500.

Kurt

http://octanephoto.smugmug.com/Cars/2012-Camaro-ZL1/15776729_rEg8Y#1182973300_JaiAr

[StealthBird]

First day of the Chicago Auto Show! I will post more pics in another thread. Great show, one of the best I've seen in recent years! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5436875283_666ca38c02_m.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5436875069_c2618d3683_m.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/5436871615_35aeaf33d8_m.jpg

[markjohnson]

Well, leave it to the &quot;new&quot; Chevrolet to absolutely ruin and spoil another famous namesake. First the LT-1, then the LS-6 ........and now the ZL-1. Don't get me wrong, these are great motors and packages but they should have had FRESH names. To a REAL enthusiast, &quot;ZL-1&quot; brings to mind one main thing and that is &quot;ALUMINUM 427 CID&quot;! I recently looked at some of the SLP-versions of the new Camaros with their $70,000 price tags and all I could think about how just FLAT-OUT-STUPID can the powers-that-be with Chevrolet be to NOT learn their lesson after what happened to Camaros/Firebirds back in 2002?! They priced them out of reach (when the economy was good!) and everybody purchased Ford Mustangs instead. Let's just all sit back and watch as history repeats itself again because GM obviously DID NOT learn their lesson. Ford will win the PonyCar War again, undoubtedly.

As far as these new &quot;Tuner&quot; or &quot;Dealer&quot;-built Camaros go.......well, the Camaro has always been the &quot;poor-man's-Corvette&quot; and back in the late-'60's, if you couldn't afford an expensive BBC Corvette, you purchased a cheaper dealer-built Camaro that had the Corvette engine(a 427/454 usually)in it instead. It's actually a VERY SIMPLE formula that should have been followed by one of these new tuner/dealers instead of making the base model customer feel inferior to the customer that just purchased a $100,000 new Camaro. To spend that much money on a new Camaro is just ridiculous and foolish when a Z06 (or even a ZR-1) Corvette is a FAR superior car to the ANY of the new Camaros. They have Aluminum frames, giant tires at four corners, dry-sump oiling, etc. Incredible cars for the money! But, not everyone can afford one of these fine beasts, so somebody should have been buying brand-new Aluminum 427 Z06 Corvette crate engines and installing them into brand new base Camaros and selling them for between $50K-60K. This would've-could've-should've been a simple and basic affordable transplant package. Even in this down-trodden economy, I bet they would've sold the hell out of 'em.

[RamAirDave]

Yeah, they might've missed on this one, but I guess we'll see.

I would think there are many dealers out there that can give more bang for the buck. There's one locally that sells a 750hp version in the $60K range.

[Andy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 70 copo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Andy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the looks of the car and am seriously contemplating getting one. 550 hp, full GM warranty, and it will be priced competitively with other cars in the market segment. The ZL1 was built by Chevrolet back in 69 and that's how it should be built today. The aftermarket build cars will not hold the value a factory produced car will imho. </div></div>

I think the aftermarket cars will still be the pick of the lot 20 years from now. The buyer of a Nickey, BM, SLP and others can still create a car with option content that will make these cars individual. The factory ZL-1 after the basic cosmetics will be the same cars and to some degree mass produced unless GM limits production.

Also let's compare HP numbers. The SLP ZL-1 makes 750 HP. The new factory car could have been made with an LS-9 like the ZR-1 then you have an apples to apples comparison for the top dog engine just like the 1969 COPO (ZL-1).

New factory &quot;ZL-1&quot; was intended to be the Z28. IMO... With the engine and the modifications from the factory the switch to the name ZL1 seems odd and again out of sinc with what the car's specifications turned out to be. </div></div>

They didn't build the car with the LS9 because it would be out of the price range of most Camaro buyers, and it would be higher than other cars in the market segment (GT500 and SRT8 392 Challenger). They are trying to sell cars, and make money, not have them collect dust in showrooms like the originals did unfortunately in 1969. No one could afford them. Personally, I enjoy seeing Camaros on the road and since Chevrolet chose this route with the ZL1, I believe we will see many more on the roads to come.

As far as performance goes, the LSA can make the same horsepower as the SLP equipped car spending 5k or less on the following mods: full exhaust, a pulley for the blower, possibly porting the blower, a camshaft and a high flowing cold air intake. Surely an individual can get 625 rwhp out of the new ZL1 with these mods if they are getting over 500 rwhp out of the new SS with a camshaft and full bolt ons.

Speaking of the SLP cars, I have only seen one since they have came out, and that was last summer. I've seen more original ZL1s than these cars.

Referring to the usage of the term &quot;aftermarket&quot;, this was a direct comparison to 1969 Camaros. A factory produced #s matching ZL1 typically brings more at action than a #s matching Yenko or high performance dealer C.O.P.O. Camaro, at least from what I've personally seen.

I honestly believe the ZL1 nameplate was used for the Camaro because they brought back the ZR1 nameplate for the Corvette.

[Andy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markjohnson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
As far as these new &quot;Tuner&quot; or &quot;Dealer&quot;-built Camaros go.......well, the Camaro has always been the &quot;poor-man's-Corvette&quot; and back in the late-'60's, if you couldn't afford an expensive BBC Corvette, you purchased a cheaper dealer-built Camaro that had the Corvette engine(a 427/454 usually)in it instead. It's actually a VERY SIMPLE formula that should have been followed by one of these new tuner/dealers instead of making the base model customer feel inferior to the customer that just purchased a $100,000 new Camaro. To spend that much money on a new Camaro is just ridiculous and foolish when a Z06 (or even a ZR-1) Corvette is a FAR superior car to the ANY of the new Camaros. They have Aluminum frames, giant tires at four corners, dry-sump oiling, etc. Incredible cars for the money! </div></div>

Well said. If the new ZL1 is much over 50k, then its just not worth the $. Personally, I expect it to be in the 48-55K range. If it breaks out of that category, then it only makes sense to upgrade to a slightly used 07/08/09 C6 Z06 for 45-50K.

[AutoInsane]

This car should have been called the Z28. But.... I must admit, it is pretty damn cool getting a supercharged 550hp engine from the factory! The interior also looks pretty nice too!! But it just kills me they called it the ZL1. Just does not sit right....

Oh,the goofy front end with all of those fog lights should go!

[PxTx]

Yeah, there is debate about what engine this car should have and what name. How about the suspension? If it is using the CTS-V stuff seems pretty cutting edge. Are the aftermarket cars capable of offering an equally performing package?

Seems with all of the electronic monitoring for the suspension and breaking and the fact the CTS-V is holding at Nürburgring, this might be just as important to discuss.

[jannes_z-28]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah, there is debate about what engine this car should have and what name. How about the suspension? If it is using the CTS-V stuff seems pretty cutting edge. Are the aftermarket cars capable of offering an equally performing package?

Seems with all of the electronic monitoring for the suspension and breaking and the fact the CTS-V is holding at Nürburgring, this might be just as important to discuss. </div></div>

Agree totally!, with the magnetic suspension and this engine package this car would be a killer.

I think that most of todays Camaro buyers are to young to relate to '69 ZL1s in a sentimental way that we &quot;old&quot; guys do. Most of todays buyers weren't even born in 69.

I think we should see it in another perspective. To have a new Camaro with a ZL1 badge will bring recognition and curiosity to the original ZL1. Look at the pressrelease from GM, they refer to the heritage of old Camaros.

It is also good for the Camaro brand to get a hot cool performer. I think that the Z28 name has lost some of its true potential with the gen 3 and 4 cars. They weren't really any performance cars to talk about compared to the rest of the lineup.

There will always be a market for dealer tuned Camaros but for the average guy to go and buy a 550Hp Camaro is OK for most customers. The true enthusiasts will always want more but they are few.

Jan

[70 copo]

The car as it is is likely not a Z28 simply due to the fact that GM could not skirt the build certifications and keep the car within the traditional Camaro price range. Car is going to be $20K over the price of a 1SS. Andy states above in post 443246 above that the LS-9 would have limited sales. I agree, however the ZL-1 name was associated with the COPO cars and was the top engine, so if you are true to history, you should be accurate in repeating it.

There is no denying this car was intended to be a Z28 from the get go and the car was in clay as early as 2008 with that great induction hood that SLP grabbed.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28710

Simply using the name z28 and cutting the fat to get the cost down would have boosted sales across the line. Instead we are left with a tarted up hood and some badges. Ford gets it with the new boss 302. Chevy might get it in (typical GM fashion) in 12 to 18 months from now. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/sleep.gif

[talwell]

I dont understand all the complaining here - this is a 550hp nearly supercar. 5 years ago none of us could have even imagined that Detroit would be pumping out such cars and now we have people complaining that they are missing the boat.

What should the ZL1 be? Should it bypass the ZR1? The CTS-V is already the fastest production sedan in the world and the ZL1 is based on that platform so I think GM did a good job on that one.

The only questionable thing I see is using the ZL1 model name rather than the Z-28 - but I am sure there is reasoning behind it. Lets wait and see what else they do but to date I extremely pleased with thier output. I took my $37k 2SS car, added a little engine work and forced induction and now have a 700hp monster that runs on pump gas and you would never know it is a 10 second car.

[Stefano]

We can put a GM crate engine in for $2,000 labor, $600 tune and the cost of the crate engine, give or take.

However, we do not use crate engines in the normal course of our builds. The only GM parts we use are the engine block, bare heads and some covers etc.

For the extreme builds we use both the RHS block and Heads.

It would have been nice to see the ZL 1 start out with a real 427 and all forged internals.

[sYc]

IMO, GM played all of their cards by naming this car ZL-1. Had GM called this a Z-28, if in the future they wanted to up the ante, say a real 427 Camaro, then they would have had ZL-1 as an option. Sort of like in '69.

[1969z280]

Maybe GM decided to steal the thunder from the aftermarket by using the ZL1 name first. They may be saving the Z28 nameplate for an 8,000 RPM small cubic inch light-weight edition to compete with the new Boss 302. Of course, it will take 3-4 years to come to market.

Or maybe they're just knucleheads?

[1969l78]

I like the car. Sure its cool to have 800+ hp but the 550hp will be waving at you when all you do is spin the tires. They need the SS badge like the SLP on the front grill. That big gold bow tie looks bad.

[resto4u]

Charley, you going to buy one, now that is built by gm instead of slp? I don't know why people are complaining about 550 hp from factory. If it is priced right, and built right it will sell. And if they build it strong, people will be able to get more power if wanted. For street use, how much horsepower do you really need? But i would like to see gm offer a drag car compared to the limited edition cobra jet or a 1LE or B4C camaro again.

[69 Post Sedan]

I went yesterday to see the show, specifically the ZL1 and it was one of if not THE hottest car there. I really like the looks of the car and the 550 hp with a 6-Speed will be fun to drive. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

If the LSA motor is 376 cubic inches why should that be a Z28? They only had 302 in the first gen cars. What GM should do is build a high revving all aluminum 5.3. IMO

Anyway, the car was beautiful and looked MEAN. There were a lot of people carrying FORD bags looking at the car! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

Kurt

[Stefano]

We rev the stock Camaro 376ci to 7000 rpms and our street friendly 427s to 7,500 <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

LS engines, just rock!

[70 copo]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69 Post Sedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If the LSA motor is 376 cubic inches why should that be a Z28? They only had 302 in the first gen cars. What GM should do is build a high revving all aluminum 5.3. IMO

Kurt </div></div>

General Motors Corporation started all of the Z28 talk back in 2007 along with the specification for the blown LSA based upon the Caddy V. By mid 2008 when gas went to 4.50 per gallon and the company began its long trip to chapter GMCORP then announced no Z28 for the upcoming roll out.

Then fast forward to fall of 2009 where Ed Welburn the VP of the new post chapter General Motors Company - kicked off the latest round of Z28 talk by himself talking to the press about it.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/...reen-light.html (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/09/report-gm-gives-500-plus-horsepower-camaro-z28-the-green-light.html)

The Z28 thing has legs nearly as long as the next Led Zeppelin reunion rumor, however the now defunct GMCORP and the current GM Company own this situation as they started it killed it, then restarted it and changed the name when the cost skyrocketed out of site.

My opinion is that CAFE may also play a part here. GM was banking on a roll out 80% V6 to 20% V8 sales ratio. What they got was nearly the reverse and that impacts the CAFE average. A reasonable priced Z-28 would have had lots of guys with SS cars trading them in. The Mini diesel planned for the trucks would have helped greatly but that project also was killed as the company went into chapter.

[barker]

I was fortunate to ride in the #1 Fred Gibb ZL1 down the Las Vegas Strip with the electronic diverters WIDE OPEN!!!! THAT did turn some heads!! We also did get into the 850 HP Supercharged 427 on Sahara Drive and had it sideways. That was WITH the traction control still on. IT WAS A HELLUVA RIDE!!

[69 Post Sedan]

The Z28 isn't dead yet....so they say.

Kurt

http://jalopnik.com/#!5757938/the-camaro-z28-is-still-coming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Although the just-unveiled Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be the top-end performance package of the Camaro, Chevy's reborn muscle car, it won't be the last high-powered special edition. The Z28 is still coming, and GM wants to know what you think it should be.
The Camaro's Z/28 option code, introduced in December 1966 for the 1967 model year, was designed to allow any Chevy dealer the ability to offer a virtually race-ready Camaro. The original 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 was a muscle car that emphasized handling as much as power. Which is why, GM folks tell us, this week's introduction of the high-horsepower LSA-powered Chevrolet Camaro was called the ZL1.
still wants to bring to market a lighter, better-handling, higher-than-SS version of the Camaro to market called the Z28. One source, with the product team, tells us that for the moment, although Chevy's focused on selling the ZL1, they're still working on developing the Z28 and unveiling it in the next 18 months.
One very high-level GM official reminded me, over Facebook instant messages no less:
i know u no likey ZL1 for a name, but remember what Z28 stood for....homologated 302 high rev SCCA trans am series track car. so step back and think what could happen here…
The Sports Car Club of America's Trans American sedan series was the racing showcase for pony cars in the late '60s. And to enter the Camaro as a competitor, at least 1,000 streetable examples had to be produced. So Chevy's choice was to make a forged steel version of the 283-cid V8's crankshaft into its 327 V8 to get 302 cid, and then make the 302 a Camaro Regular Production Option Code.
So low-key was the effort that the car wasn't advertised, or even mentioned in sales literature. Knowledgeable buyers had to order a base 6-cylinder Camaro, and then find the check box for what turned out to be the most famous RPO in history: Z28.
Given that history, and given the current lineup Chevy's got — and the current lineup the Mustang's got — they're still just not entirely sure what the Z28 could be — and from what we hear, they're interested in knowing what you think. So, in the comments below, tell us what you think the Z28 should be?</div></div>

[black69]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Andy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the looks of the car and am seriously contemplating getting one. 550 hp, full GM warranty, and it will be priced competitively with other cars in the market segment. The ZL1 was built by Chevrolet back in 69 and that's how it should be built today. The aftermarket build cars will not hold the value a factory produced car will imho. </div></div>

I have to agree with above, plus I love the new hood as it is aerodynamic (good for top end speed) and it matches the theme of the old cowl induction hood used on the 69s.

Aftermarket cars value will depend on what trends the factory continues to build. The aftermarket cars actually done back in 68-69-70 were representative of the highest horsepower at the end of an era. They are valueable and will always be.

I have a friend that spent $25K (liengenfelter) on his 95 vette to go racing (when it was new), and its money long gone if he went to sell that car today.

As long as the 'factory' moves the line in the sand to the right for horsepower ratings, its hard to say what aftermarket cars will really be worth 20 yrs from now. Once the line stops (like what happened in 69-70-71, i.e. an end of an era), it would be those cars at the end that would be likely valuable.

Hey, so what are the odds that 550hp is 'derated' for insurance purposes <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif. It wouldn't be the first time things were underated by the big 3.

[Andy]

There may possibly be hope for a small displacement, high winding Z28. A friend of mine follows the GT2 class in ALMS, and the Vettes are running a 5.5L displacement engine. 485 naturally aspriated hp out of 336 c.i. 4.09&quot; bore, 3.185&quot; stroke. http://www.corvetteracing.com/

[69 L88]

What a great Supercar, Did they put a price on it yet ?

[1970Bluel78]

Just saw the video over at Motor Trend about the ZL1. Why does the car sound like a John Deere tractor ? Bad mic placement? Audio issues? Hope the car sounds a LOT better then that

[1969l78]

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Exhaust Video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuANc0p3AjU

Second video stats price of around $47,000 and 0-60 in under 4 seconds!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U62_E-JOYhs&amp;playnext=1&amp;list=PLE814D401298C2A09

[scoolbus70]

I have heard that they still plan on making the Z/28 to complele with the new Boss 302 it will be released after the ZL1.