To mix automotive metaphors, there’s a new king of the hill atop the Camaro line at Chevrolet – and she showed her face at NYIAS 2016. The ZL1 Convertible promises to be the most powerful and fastest Camaro available — all while providing your daily subscription of sunshine and fresh air.
Going on sale later in 2016, the Camaro ZL1 offers a new supercharged, 6.2 liter, V8 engine putting out at 640 horsepower. That’s an estimated number so far, and actual HP figures will arrive closer to the films late 2016 release.
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Because there is an Almighty in whatever heaven you look forward to, the ZL1 will offer a proper a six-speed manual transmission with active rev matching or (for the majority of the feeble) a new 10 speed automatic.
Chevy stripped out weight to and added frame rigidity, adding Magnetic Ride Suspension and an electronic limited-slip differential to provide handling to rival any European supercar. Engineers added Performance Traction Management, Custom Launch Control and Driver Mode Selector to help the owner control the wild animal they take home.
Beyond the engine and suspension, Chevrolet added 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires unique to the Camaro ZL1. Brembo brakes with six-piston monobloc front calipers and 15.35-inch two-piece front rotors bring the beast to a stop.
All totaled, these features forge a worthy track car that the driver can drive home comfortably at the end of the day.
