Track-Ready 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE Debuts at Daytona Speedway
The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE makes its world debut at the Chevrolet Experience Center at Daytona International Speedway
What do you get when you cross a 2017 Chevy Camaro 1LE with a 2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1?
This isn’t a trick question—you get the 2018 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE, which just had a surprise reveal at Daytona International Speedway the day before the Daytona 500 race.
If you didn’t happen to be at the track to witness the debut, you’re in luck, because Chevrolet put out this video showing off the muscle car’s track-ready capabilities:
The new ZL1 1LE has the same 650-horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 engine as the ZL1, paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission featuring Active Rev Match. What sets it apart is its unique racing-based suspension, along with other aero technologies and a set of exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only tires.
“The track-focused 1LE package offers progressive levels of performance across the Camaro lineup, from the V6 1LE to the SS 1LE,” said Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser. “But with the new ZL1 1LE, the progression takes a quantum leap—this is the ultimate track-day Camaro.”
In preliminary testing at GM’s Milford Road Course track, the new ZL1 1LE was 3 seconds faster than the standard ZL1 Coupe.
The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE’s aero features include a carbon fiber rear wing, specific air deflectors, and dive planes on the front fascia which generate more downforce for a tighter grip on the track. In terms of suspension, the ZL1 1LE features racing-derived, lightweight Multimatic DSSV (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers in front and rear to provide wheel and vehicle control. The front-end ride height is adjustable with the front dampers, while the rear stabilizer bar also offers three-way adjustability.
The unique, lightweight forged aluminum wheels are an inch wider than standard ZL1 tires, while also being an inch smaller in diameter. The lighter wheels, along with lighter dampers, add up to a total that’s 60 pounds less than the curb weight of a standard ZL1 Coupe.
“The new Camaro ZL1 1LE offers the supreme track experience,” said Mark Dickens, executive director of Chevrolet Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports Engineering. “It’s the pinnacle of Camaro performance and advances the 1LE’s nearly 30-year legacy of uncompromising, track-tailored capability.”
Chevy says that the 2018 Chevrolet ZL1 1LE will go on sale later this year, with pricing being announced closer to the on-sale date.
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