The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is here and you can’t get any more extreme than this. With the addition of the “1LE” performance package, the highest-performance Camaro known to mankind, the ZL1, turns into a real beast thanks to significant aero and suspension boosts.
image credit: digitaltrends
What’s new?
Some of the standout features for the new 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE include the Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve suspension with monotube adjustable ride-height front strut dampers, some aggressive new aerodynamic features, as well as a set of 19-inch forged aluminum wheels that come with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires.
Thanks to the use of lightweight aluminum materials, the new coupe sheds about 60 pounds altogether. Also adding to this significant weight loss is the thinner rear glass, a fixed-back rear seat, and the new, lighter suspension and wheel packages.
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Engine and Performance
Chevy makes use of the ZL1’s supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 engine. This V8 is capable of delivering up to 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. All the power is sent to the rear wheels, through a brand new 6-speed manual transmission. This is also the only available gearbox option for the 1LE package, meaning that the 10-speed automatic that Chevy was so enthusiastic about not that long ago, got completely shut out.
Thanks to the aforementioned weight loss, the 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE managed to be an entire 3 seconds faster than the outgoing ZL1 model, while racing around the General Motors’ 2.9-mile Milford Road Course test track in Michigan.
image credit: digitaltrends
Exterior
On the outside, there are some improvements both in terms of design and functionality. Firstly, the grille openings look larger than ever, allowing a greater amount of airflow. There are also some dive planes for downforce, new idiosyncratic carbon fiber inserts on the all-aluminum hood with satin black wraps that are also featured on the mirrors. From the back, the ZL1 1LE gets some blacked-out taillights, a black bow tie, along with a carbon fiber rear wing that will create 300 pounds of downforce at top speed. Considering this extra downforce, the 1LE might be slightly slower than the 198 mph top speed ZL1, but we’ll see.
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2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Release Date and Price
The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is expected to arrive sometime this year and the pricing information will be released once we get closer to the actual launch date. Nevertheless, expect the new ZL1 1LE to start slightly over the current ZL1’s $62,135 – $68,135 price point.
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