Tuesday 25th October 2016

Camaro ZL1 at the 'ring: Time for Coffee?

Sub 7:30 for the latest mega Camaro, and an amazingly serene video with it

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If it was ever possible to make a 650hp muscle car lapping the Nurburgring in less than 7min 30sec look calm, Chevrolet may well have done it. A video has been released of its new Camaro ZL1 setting a 7:29.60 lap, a time which typically involves lots of arm flailing, last ditch gearchanges and praying. Yet this doesn't.

First point of note is the transmission; this ZL1 is fitted with Chevy's new 10-speed 10R90 automatic, rather than the six-speed manual. The amount of ratios is interesting, but it's also worth discussing the 'Performance Algorithm Shift' calibration. This is an automatic mode for track, "providing optimal gear selection without the need to manually select gears". Even with so many ratios, it appears to work very well. Means hands can be kept on the wheel at least...

It hasn't escaped Chevrolet's attention how composed the ZL1 is either. Driver Drew Cattell attributes it to the "Magnetic Ride and great overall chassis balance", but the Camaro flagship also comes with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tyres, 390mm front Brembo discs and aero work to reduce lift. Plus there's the small matter of 650hp and 650lb ft. May not keep things calm, but useful for a fast lap!

And to think this isn't even the track focused Camaro, that title falling to the next Z/28. What on earth is that going to be? Bring it on!

Watch the video here.

Watch the M4 GTS video (a useful comparison as it's one second quicker) here.

[Vroom101]

If you watch the rev counter during the lap, you can see it's always near the red-line, so always close to making full power. Even when it drops down a gear it's not far off. I suppose that's the advantage of having ten ratios.

[AndySheff]

Let's get this out of the way at the start then !

It's too wide for UK roads.
If only it had a quality interior.
If only it came in RHD.

Anymore ?

[Krikkit]

Vroom101 said:

If you watch the rev counter during the lap, you can see it's always near the red-line, so always close to making full power. Even when it drops down a gear it's not far off. I suppose that's the advantage of having ten ratios.

Definitely, seems to keep it between 4500 and 6500RPM quite nicely for the whole thing. Mental.

[unpc]

AndySheff said:

Let's get this out of the way at the start then !

It's too wide for UK roads.
If only it had a quality interior.
If only it came in RHD.

Anymore ?

Yeah, it doesn't go round corners.

Am I doing this right?

[vz-r_dave]

Another yank tank showing the rest of the world how it should be done, no doubting the track focused Z24 will be quicker than the GTS then...... wonder how BMW M Division feel about this?

[vz-r_dave]

unpc said:

AndySheff said:

Let's get this out of the way at the start then !

It's too wide for UK roads.
If only it had a quality interior.
If only it came in RHD.

Anymore ?

Yeah, it doesn't go round corners.

Am I doing this right?

Don't forget the terrible fuel economy......

[Kawasicki]

Very competent (fast!) driving of a stable car with lots of power. Great result!

[308mate]

For what is undoubtedly a large car making big hp, the lack input required on the wheel is really something. I also detected very little over-steer or wheel spin, could not perceive the intrusion of TC yet routinely heard him stand on the throttle out of corners. Can only mean a very well sorted chassis, surely? Lovely, I like it.

[jamespink]

Awesome performance from both car and driver. You gotta respect full throttle cornering at 150+!!! Jeez... Is this the first, no excuses, properly fast American series production car?

[Regiment]

AndySheff said:

Let's get this out of the way at the start then !

It's too wide for UK roads.
If only it had a quality interior.
If only it came in RHD.

Anymore ?

With the Japanese, UK and Australia sales of the new Mustang, I wonder if Ford consider RHD a success and worthwhile for future options.

[j90gta]

308mate said:

For what is undoubtedly a large car making big hp, the lack input required on the wheel is really something. I also detected very little over-steer or wheel spin, could not perceive the intrusion of TC yet routinely heard him stand on the throttle out of corners. Can only mean a very well sorted chassis, surely? Lovely, I like it.

Agreed; it looks as if he wasn't having to trying very hard. Can't see how a manual could have been any quicker; it seemed to hold onto the gears really well. Jump in, hit the loud pedal and just steer....

[E65Ross]

vz-r_dave said:

Another yank tank showing the rest of the world how it should be done, no doubting the track focused Z24 will be quicker than the GTS then...... wonder how BMW M Division feel about this?

Probably not that fussed as all the GTS cars are sold. Different cars altogether. The BMW did it with over 200bhp less....

[KevinCamaroSS]

AndySheff said:

Let's get this out of the way at the start then !

It's too wide for UK roads.
If only it had a quality interior.
If only it came in RHD.

Anymore ?

You do realise it is smaller than a Ford Mondeo hatchback don't you?

Camaro length = 4780 mm
Mondeo length = 4871 mm

Camaro width = 1900 mm (mirrors folded)
Mondeo width = 1911 mm (mirrors folded)

Camaro weight = about 1690 kg
Mondeo weight = 1455 - 1683 kg (dependent on trim/engine)

The Gen6 Camaro is quite a bit smaller than my Gen 5.

[E65Ross]

KevinCamaroSS said:

AndySheff said:

Let's get this out of the way at the start then !

It's too wide for UK roads.
If only it had a quality interior.
If only it came in RHD.

Anymore ?

You do realise it is smaller than a Ford Mondeo hatchback don't you?

Camaro length = 4780 mm
Mondeo length = 4871 mm

Camaro width = 1900 mm (mirrors folded)
Mondeo width = 1911 mm (mirrors folded)

Camaro weight = about 1690 kg
Mondeo weight = 1455 - 1683 kg (dependent on trim/engine)

The Gen6 Camaro is quite a bit smaller than my Gen 5.

I think we need a whoosh parrot here.

[AndySheff]

E65Ross said:

I think we need a whoosh parrot here.

I think you're right

[vz-r_dave]

E65Ross said:

vz-r_dave said:

Another yank tank showing the rest of the world how it should be done, no doubting the track focused Z24 will be quicker than the GTS then...... wonder how BMW M Division feel about this?

Probably not that fussed as all the GTS cars are sold. Different cars altogether. The BMW did it with over 200bhp less....

Is the GTS not their halo Sports Coupe? The BMW did it at nearly 100K USD more.........

[VR6 Eug]

Its quite sophisticated underneath IRS etc etc and not to be underestimated but it got 150hp more than the BMW to go 1 sec slower, I dont think BMW the M division will be to worried....imagine the m4 with 650hp!

[AndySheff]

VR6 Eug said:

....imagine the m4 with 650hp!

Imagine what it would cost.

[Kawasicki]

VR6 Eug said:

Its quite sophisticated underneath IRS etc etc and not to be underestimated but it got 150hp more than the BMW to go 1 sec slower, I dont think BMW the M division will be to worried....imagine the m4 with 650hp!

Yes the camaro probably won't have the M4's characterful rear axle grip behaviour.

[vz-r_dave]

VR6 Eug said:

Its quite sophisticated underneath IRS etc etc and not to be underestimated but it got 150hp more than the BMW to go 1 sec slower, I dont think BMW the M division will be to worried....imagine the m4 with 650hp!

Imagine throwing another 100K USD at the Camaro....... how any euro fan boy can argue this is beyond me. If I were an engineer in the M Division I'd be disappointed.