Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Bests Mustang GT500, SAE Rates at 580HP

[azi malik]

The Los Angeles International Auto Show is coming next month, and Chevrolet is debuting the convertible ZL1 at the show. It is the most powerful Camaro convertible ever, and the most powerful drop top at its price point period. Today we refocus on the coupe though, as Camaro enthusiasts website Camaro5 has gotten ahold of the dealer ordering guide for the ZL1. There are some new details in it, such as the car’s curb weight. It checks in at 4120 pounds, giving it a weight distribution of 51/49.

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Chevrolet-Camaro_ZL1_2012_1280x960_wallpaper_04-623x449.jpg [ 69.4 KiB | Viewed 200 times ]

The ZL1′s supercharged 6.2 liter V-8 has been officially rated by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) at 580 horsepower and 556 pound feet of torque. That horsepower figure is up by 30 over the original 550 hp quoted by General Motors.

It follows a recent GM horsepower and fuel economy announcement strategy of under promising and over delivering. Peak horsepower arrives at 6000 rpm, and torque at 4200 rpm. Pretty high in the power band, isn’t it? It is a rev-happy V-8, and that should help make for a brilliant aural soundtrack, aided by an stainless steel exhaust system with active valves feeding quad 3.5″ tips out back.

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2013-Chevrolet-Camaro-26.jp_.jpg [ 53.4 KiB | Viewed 228 times ]

The ZL1′s aluminum V-8 has a compression ratio of 9:1:1 and mated to a standard six-speed manual. A six-speed auto tranny is an option. The ZL1 is available in nine colors: Black, Ashen Gray, Imperial Blue Metallic, Inferno Orange Metallic, Rally Yellow, Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Victory Red and Crystal Red Tintcoat.

Exterior options include an exposed weave carbon fiber hood insert (the standard car has a painted black one) and a stripe package. Standard wheels are 20-inch forged aluminum 10-spokes, finished in low-gloss black clear coat and emblazoned with the Camaro logo. The second option is a 20-inch 5-spoke aluminum design, with a polished face and high-gloss clear coat. Chevy says these wheels are 11 pound lighter than the ones used on the 2SS. So there you have it; if you’ve been itching to order a ZL1 then go for it!

[thomasrandy]

Pony cars always performs better than today's modern muscle cars. The Camaro have always been the centerpiece of of chevy's fleet which shares the same engine with the Cadillac cts-v.