The big news to come from the Chicago Auto Show this week has centered around the unveiling of the 2012 Camaro ZL1, a 550hp rendition of the car sporting the blown 6.2L LSA engine. Harking back to the legendary run of just 69 Camaros produced in 1969 with the all aluminum 427ci motor, the ZL1 is sure to have big buck Camaro enthusiasts lining up for a chance at ownership. As this will be a regular production model we don’t believe that there will be a cap on how many can roll out of Chevy factories. There are model specific tweaks that set the ZL1 aside from other Camaros.
First is the LSA engine with its intercooled supercharger, and all aluminum construction. The motor has a factory balanced rotating assembly, hypereutectic pistons with oil squirters, and is sans power steering pump as that function is electrical.
The transmission is a six-speed Tremec TR-6060. Chevy is using the beefed MG9 version of the transmission, a twin disc clutch, and a short throw shifter. The car also has the cool “dual mode” exhaust which essentially uncorks itself when the pedal touches carpet.
The rear end has also been fortified with a stronger driveshaft, manlier axles, a heavy duty limited slip differential, and a cast iron differential housing that’ll handle clutch dumps like a pro. In the handling department, Magnetic Ride Control is being used for the first time in the Camaro, the system has been in Corvettes for some time. Brembo brakes have found their way onto this car in the form of 14.6in rotors and four piston calipers.
On the outside there are some ZL1 call outs and an altered nose along with some cladding and junk that don’t make the damned thing an ounce faster so we don’t give a rip about them.
Here’s the Spec sheet from Chevy:
PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
Model: |
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 |
Body style / driveline: |
four-passenger, front-engine, rear-drive coupe |
Construction: |
unitized body frame, one- and two-sided galvanized steel |
EPA vehicle class: |
coupe |
Manufacturing location: |
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada |
Key competitors: |
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 |
Engines
|
LSA 6.2L Supercharged V-8 |
Displacement (cu in / cc): |
376 / 6162 |
Bore & stroke (in / mm): |
4.06 / 103.25 x 3.62 / 92 mm |
Block material: |
cast aluminum |
Cylinder head material: |
cast aluminum |
Valvetrain: |
overhead valve, two valves per cylinder |
Fuel delivery: |
1.9L supercharger with intercooler; sequential fuel injection |
Compression ratio: |
9.1:1 |
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): |
550 / 410 @ 6100 (estimated) |
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): |
550 / 745 @ 3800 (estimated) |
Recommended fuel: |
premium required |
Maximum engine speed (rpm): |
6200 |
Transmission
Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual |
|
Gear ratios (:1): |
|
First: |
2.66 |
Second: |
1.78 |
Third: |
1.30 |
Fourth: |
1.00 |
Fifth: |
0.80 |
Sixth: |
0.63 |
Reverse: |
2.90 |
Final drive ratio: |
3.73 |
Chassis / Suspension
Front: |
double-ball-joint, multi-link strut; direct-acting stabilizer bar; progressive-rate coil springs; with Magnetic Ride Control |
Rear: |
4.5-link independent; progressive-rate coil springs over shocks; stabilizer bar; with Magnetic Ride Control |
Steering type: |
electric power steering with variable-ratio, variable-effort rack-and-pinion |
Steering ratio: |
16.1:1 |
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: |
2.5 |
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): |
37.7/11.5 |
Brakes
Type: |
four-wheel disc w/ ABS; ventilated two-piece front and one-piece rear rotors; six-piston fixed Brembo aluminum front and four-piston rear calipers |
Rotor diameter, front (in / mm): |
14.6 / 370 |
Rotor diameter, rear (in / mm): |
14.4 / 365 |
Rotor thickness, front (in / mm): |
1.26 / 32 |
Rotor thickness, rear (in / mm): |
1.1 / 28 |
Wheels / Tires
Wheel size and type: |
20 x 10-inch aluminum (front) |
Tires: |
P285/35ZR20 summer (front) |
Dimensions
Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm): |
112.3 / 2852 |
Overall length (in / mm): |
190.4 / 4836 |
Overall width (in / mm): |
75.5 / 1918 |
Overall height (in / mm): |
54.2 / 1376 |
Track, front (in / mm): |
63.7 / 1618 |
Track, rear (in / mm): |
63.7 / 1618 |
Curb weight (lb / kg): |
TBD |
Weight balance (% front / rear): |
TBD |
Coefficient of drag: |
TBD |
Interior
Seating capacity (front / rear): |
2 / 2 |
Headroom (in / mm): |
front: 37.4 / 950 |
Legroom (in / mm): |
front: 42.4 / 1077 |
Shoulder room (in / mm): |
front: 56.9 / 1444 |
Capacities
Cargo volume (cu ft / L): |
11.3 / 320 |
Fuel tank (gal / L): |
19 / 71.9 |
Engine oil (qt / L): |
8.9 / 8.5 |
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.