The newly introduced 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is the track-focused variant of the American muscle car. It features racing-based suspension and aero-enhancing technologies, as well as exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer tyres into its chassis to form the perfect track weapon.
Interms of aesthetics, ‘Paint is Black’ is the theme followed; with the hood, mirrors and wheels painted satin black. The addition of new aerodynamic trims including a carbon-fibre hood extractor and rear wing, specific air deflectors and dive planes on the front fascia produce greater downforce for faster takes around curves.
Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer said, “The track-focused 1LE package offers progressive levels of performance across the Camaro lineup, from the V6 1LE to the SS 1LE,”.
In preliminary testing, the new 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE was a whole 3 seconds faster than the reguar ZL1 Coupe around General Motors’ 2.9-mile, 18-turn Milford Road Course test track.
The four key elements that help improve track performance are…
The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE features racing-derived, lightweight Multimatic DSSV® (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers front and rear which helps it achieve an exponential increase in traction and road holding. The front-end ride height is adjustable with the front dampers, which are used with all-new, adjustable camber plates. Adjustability is also available for the rear stabilizer bar in 3 different levels.
New, lightweight forged aluminum alloy wheels are an inch wider but quite surprisingly, an inch smaller in diameter, front and rear, than standard ZL1 wheels. They are wrapped in new Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires that help it achieve a max lateral grip of 1.10g. These tyres available exclusively for the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, are designed to warm up faster to help maintain more consistent grip and speed, lap after lap. The overall footprint of the tyres grow approximately by 10 percent over the those the ZL1 rides on, but the wheel-and-tyre package weighs about 1.5 pounds (3.3 kg) less per corner.
The lighter rims and dampers, along with reduced thickness rear glass and a fixed-back rear seat, contribute to an estimated weight loss of 60-pound (27 kg).
Mark Dickens, executive director, Chevrolet Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports Engineering stated, “It’s the pinnacle of Camaro performance and advances the 1LE’s nearly 30-year legacy of uncompromising, track-tailored capability.”
The power behind the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is the same 650-horsepower, 650 lb-ft supercharged 6.2-litre V8. LT4 engine coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission featuring Active Rev Match. Brembo brakes, including red calipers with the 1LE logo, are also included. Additional standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose premium audio system, heated/ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel.
Availability and prices for the GCC nations such as the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and other have yet to be announced.
