ChrisFrez

DETROIT – The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 184 mph. Starting at $54,995, including Performance Traction Management and Magnetic Ride suspension, the ZL1 delivers supercar levels of performance and technology for the price of a sports car.

“From the original Camaro to the current Corvette ZR1, Chevrolet has a long history of delivering world-class cars that outperformed competitors at several times the price,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Chevrolet Marketing. “The ZL1 is no exception. There are very few cars at any price that can match the power, features, and track-capability of the Camaro ZL1.”

For the $54,995 price, including a $900 delivery fee, the ZL1 compares favorably to much more expensive cars:







Base price


Horsepower


Torque


Magnetic Ride




Camaro ZL1


$54,995


580


556


Standard




Audi R8 GT


$196,800


560


398


Standard




Maserati GranTurismo


$122,800


405


339


Not available




Mercedes SLS AMG


$185,750


565


479


Not available




Supercar Performance

The heart of the Camaro ZL1 is a supercharged 6.2L engine is SAE-rated at 580 horsepower (432 kW) and 556 lb.-ft. of torque (754 Nm) – making it the most-powerful production Camaro ever.

The LSA features a Roots-style blower with an efficient four-lobe rotor set and compact intercooler The ZL1 also features a standard dual-mode exhaust system, with vacuum-actuated valves in the exhaust pipes for a refined exhaust note at low speeds as well as a free-flowing system for peak performance.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. With either transmission, the Camaro ZL1 delivers impressive performance:







Manual


Automatic




0 – 60 mph (from rolling start)


4.0 seconds


3.9 seconds




1/4-mile (from a rolling start)


12.1 sec at 119 mph


12.0 sec at 119 mph




Top speed


180 mph


184 mph




Max lateral grip


1.0 g


1.0 g




“With 0 to 60 taking less than four seconds, and a top speed in excess of 180 mph, the power and acceleration of the Camaro ZL1 rivals many supercars,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “And, horsepower is only half of the story, as the most significant measurement of the ZL1’s potential is lapping the Nurburgring in 7:41.27. That is a great testament to the power, braking, grip, and balance of the Camaro ZL1, and to the well-rounded performance of the ZL1 that sets the bar for the sports-car segment.”

Exclusive, track-capable technologies

To deliver that well-rounded performance, the Camaro ZL1 comes standard with several track-capable technologies that are exclusive to the segment.

For example, the Camaro ZL1 is the first sports car to feature the third-generation of Magnetic Ride. This advanced suspension system employs valve-less damping and Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid technology to varies the suspension firmness to match the road and driving conditions.

“Traditional suspension systems at some point compromise ride quality for road-holding grip and body control,” said Oppenheiser. “With Magnetic Ride Control, we can offer customers the best of both worlds: A comfortable ride that makes the ZL1 appropriate as a daily driver and the incredibly precise body control that makes the ZL1 so enjoyable on the track.”

Also standard on the Camaro ZL1 is Performance Traction Management, which integrates magnetic ride control, launch control, traction control, electronic stability control and electric power steering response to enhance performance. The technology was first introduced on the Corvette ZR1. With Performance Traction Management, the launch control feature (manual transmission only) automatically modulates engine torque for the best-possible acceleration without excessive wheel spin. When the driver pushes the throttle to the floor, the system holds a predetermined engine speed until the driver releases the clutch. Then, the system modulates engine torque 1,000 times per second to maximize the available traction. Similarly, on a road course, the driver can apply full throttle when exiting a corner and Performance Traction Management will automatically manage acceleration dynamics to maximize exit speed based on available traction.

In addition, the Camaro ZL1 has been engineered to be track-capable from the factory, including a rear-differential cooler, an integrated engine- and transmission-oil cooler, and brake-cooling ducts as standard equipment. As such, the ZL1 offers many technologies and features not available on the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500:







Camaro ZL1


2012 GT500




Magnetic Ride


Standard


Not available




Performance Traction Management


Standard


Not available




Factory engine and transmission coolers


Standard


Dealer-installed option




Factory brake cooling ducts


Standard


Dealer-installed option




Factory rear differential cooler


Standard


Dealer-installed option




Additional features and options

The interior of the Camaro ZL1 features standard leather seating surfaces with suede microfiber inserts and heated, powered-adjustable front seats. Standard technologies include a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics® audio system; USB and Bluetooth connectivity; and rear-park assist with a rear-view camera display integrated in the center rear-view mirror.

The Camaro ZL1 is available with six options:
■Six-speed automatic transmission with TapShift controls is $1,185
■20-inch, bright aluminum wheel package is $470
■Power sunroof is $900
■Stripe package is $470
■Exposed-weave carbon fiber hood insert is $600
■The suede package, including suede microfiber accents on the steering wheel, shift ****, and shift boot is $500

The Camaro ZL1 Coupe will go on sale in the spring of 2012, as a 2012 model. The Camaro ZL1 Convertible will go on sale in the summer of 2012, as a 2013 model. Pricing for the Camaro ZL1 Convertible will be announced later.

km9v

Finally, some firm numbers. Thanks.

jtrott

Chris,

The ZL1 does have a gas guzzler tax also

$1300 manual
$2600 automatic

Dave K

Not a bad package by the numbers. Looks like solid bang for the buck.

Does this package outperform the Base Vette for less money? I think it does based on the Ring times and standard equipment/specs. Is that a first for the F-Body?

Xsta Z 28

Nice numbers!

ChrisFrez

Of course they are not gonna put that in the press release. Boooooooo.

Mario92

Well as the saying goes: " If you way to play you have to pay"

SSPORT10

Wow, not what I was expecting! with the gas guzzler for an auto you are looking at 60k! I think I will wait for the C7 at this point. Very disappointed in GM! I guess they are figuring the '13 GT500 will increase their prices.

ChrisLS1Bird

With all the hype, I wonder how far above that base price these things will actually sell for. Dealers are going to order loaded up versions, then ask for (and probably receive) a premium over that. With taxes, you're looking at a ~$75K Camaro that runs low 12s or maybe high 11s around 120 mph. You won't be able to order a true base version because of dealer allotment issues (that dealer already has received its one or two loaded models for the period), and even if you could, you'd still have to deal with the premium over the sticker because of the hype and demand. So you're paying $1200/mo for 6 years, but everyone will at least know you're the man with the fancy badges and Magnetic Ride who can hang with a Z06 and an older GTR.

As I said in another thread, I am not impressed with that value proposition. Considering paying that much for a car makes me nauseous, Magnetic Ride and dual-mode exhaust system be damned. And, in my opinion, it's still not fast enough for a 580 hp car because it weighs so damn much.

http://jalopnik.com/5140813/model-bl...37-model-years

STOCK1SC

What's sad is they actually quoted the wrong weight in their findings, they said they were going by V8 car weights but listed the 3,700lb V6 weight, the V8's are over 3,800lb's so it has actually gained 937lb's. ZL1 is going to be too expensive for me once you add in the gas guzzler and not being able to order a base version since dealers will load them to the gills and have $70k Camaro's on their lots.

FS3800

While I'll always love Camaros.. i can't help but be less impressed by this car with the 2013 GT500 announcement... 650hp, 200mph, no gas guzzler tax...

Bob Cosby

Nobody should be surprised by the $55k base price - I think those that took a really objective look at what it might cost were pretty much all in that ballpark.

jcamere94z28

while GM gives us the $$$ you get Ford coming from the back saying... the same day.. oh yeah... btw.. our next mustang is going to have 650HP... you want to bet the Marketing guys were behind that one...

and the engineering guys... at Ford saying... "crap... how the hell are we gonna do that???

Slappy3243

It's priced right where I thought it would be. However, I wouldn't be surprised if you could get one for less than $75k when the dealers mark them up, especially with the minimum allotments already discussed. Not many members on the board with have a ZL1 until they are well used.

99SilverSS

Big numbers all the way around.

The price seems to be about what I expected in relation to its competition.

However Ford was successful in stealing some of the spotlight ahead of the LA Show with the 650hp 2013 GT500.


Bottom line this is Chevy/GM's tech and performance showcase for 2012. It's expensive and will be rare. It's not for the masses and most won't see the street much less the track. Chevy will get some great press and some bragging rights as the car goes on the magazine/TV show tour.

This is why we need a more value priced 1LE or Z28. Something a little more focused on performance but won't be priced out of the Camaro's target audience.