Cars / Cars and Bikes

Chevrolet 2017 Camaro ZL1: Muscled Up

Fifty years later, Chevrolet’s iconic Camaro ZL1 gets a horsepower upgrade, taking it up to 650.

Aug 10, 2016 | By Shatricia Nair

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 50 good years of a muscle car than with a healthy dose of horsepowered adrenaline. Thankfully, Chevrolet felt the same, and so the Chevrolet 2017 Camaro ZL1 was born.

And by ‘healthy dose’, we’re really looking at a figure of around 650 horses here. Already in its sixth generation, this anniversary special is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that also produces 650 lb-ft of torque. If you opt for the 10-speed automatic transmission, you’ll get a car that will muscle 60mph in 3.5 seconds. To compare, the Shelby Mustang GT350 only puts out 526hp and achieves a 0 – 60mph time of 4.3 seconds. In fact, with the same LT4 power plant as Chevrolet’s flagship Corvette Z06, the Camaro is just as powerful, but with twice the practicality.

2017-chevrolet-camaro-zl1-sports-car-mo-design

The supercar comes in two options, the ZL1 Coupe is fairly affordable at $62,135 and the drop-top, $69,135.  “The Camaro ZL1 offers supercar performance with daily-driver refinement, a combination that stacks up against any other sports coupe — at any price — around the world,” said Steve Majoros, director, Chevrolet marketing.

Chevrolet doesn’t scrimp on all the little details too. The 20-inch wheels ride on Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tyres and an electronic limited-slip differential. Coupled with the Magnetic Ride suspension, negotiating corners will result in a rather exhilarating 1.02 g. Unfortunately, with the 800hp Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang also in the works, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 might have to take a backseat this time.

 


 
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