The General has taken up the challenge in the new pony car challenge with its 2012 supercharged 6.2 liter V8 Camaro delivering 410 kW of power.
Called the ZL1 after a Camaro racing engine of the same name in the 1960s, this fastest official Camaro ever built is powered by General Motors’ blown LSA engine that made its debut in supercharged form in the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V.
GM Camaro 2012
It has 96 more kW than the standard V8 Camaro, this 2012 coupe will also be featuring a stronger chassis, transmission and rear axle assembly.
According to GM, the new Camaro’s LSA V8 produces 677 Nm of torque. No performance figures were released, with GM saying they would be announced later in the year when the car’s development is more advanced.
For the first time, a Camaro gets Magnetic Ride Control and electric power steering. The V8 engine has an intercooled four-lobe Eaton supercharger, heat-resistant aluminum alloy cylinder heads, lightweight reciprocating assembly, high-strength pistons and piston oil squirters.
Electric power steering cuts power losses from a traditional pump, while the engine drives the rear wheels through a heavier, high-torque version of the six-speed Tremec manual gearbox with a dual-mass flywheel and twin-disc clutch for easy operation and shift smoothness.
In the rear, the drive-train has been strengthened in the driveshaft, larger and stronger cast iron differential housing, stronger axles and heavy-duty limited-slip differential.
Brakes are six piston Brembo disc brakes with two-piece 370 mm rotors combined with four piston 365 mm rear brakes to provide extra stopping power.
New 20 inch wheels – fitted with tyres developed by Goodyear especially for the ZL1 – combine with reshaped rocker panels, redesigned exhaust tips and a sprinkling of ZL1 badges complete the exterior package.
The Camaro ZL1 was presented at the February Chicago Motor Show by GM vice president global design Ed Welburn, who said everything about the ZL1’s design was directly related to its technology and serious performance, especially aerodynamics.
Chevrolet’s marketing vice-president Rick Scheidt said the company had revived the name from the 1960s Camaro all-aluminum track V8 engine that was installed in just 69 cars, achieving mythical status among Camaro fans as the pinnacle in Camaro performance.
“It’s the most technically advanced Camaro ever, so we’ve chosen a name from the most elite and exclusive Camaro in history,” he said.
