Off the assembly line, modern muscle cars aren’t typically designed for the track. But powered by a 650-horsepower, supercharged LT4 engine backed by a six-speed manual and a long list of performance upgrades, Chevy’s new 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE plans to change that when it hits dealerships later this year.
The most track-capable Camaro to date, the new ZL1 1LE features racing-based suspension and aero technologies, as well as exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only tires, in an extreme track performance package paired with Brembo brakes, including red calipers with the 1LE logo.
Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose premium audio system, heated/ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The Camaro ZL1 1LE Changes to Know About
1 – Lighter by 60 pounds
To work those chicanes, you need to drop some weight. The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE shed 60 pounds through the use of lighter wheels and dampers, along with reduced-thickness rear glass and a fixed-back rear seat.
2 – New Camaro Wheels
New, lightweight forged aluminum wheels are an inch wider but an inch smaller in diameter, both front and rear, than standard ZL1 wheels. They are used with new Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires, which deliver a maximum lateral grip of 1.10g.
3 – Adjustable Suspension
Completely race-driven, the new suspension features lightweight Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear, for additional wheel and vehicle control. The front-end ride height is adjustable through the use of the front dampers, which are paired with all-new, adjustable camber plates.
4 – Aerodynamics
Finally, there’s some upgraded styling, of course. This Camaro features a carbon fibre rear wing, specific air deflectors, and dive planes on the front fascia, producing grip-generating downforce to help the car stick harder and drive faster in turns.
Pricing for the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE hasn’t been released, but more information is expected this summer, with production models going on sale late in 2017.
