Tuesday 9th February 2016

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: Spotted

A healthy chunk of V8 muscle with a manual gearbox; are you tough enough?

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It won't have escaped your attention recently that Ford is making quite a big deal about right-hand drive Mustangs with the 'Unlearn' campaign. Not surprising really, given it's taken more than 50 years. Let's hope it's worth the wait.

Do you even shift bro?

Anyway, what Ford's move has done is bring muscle cars back into the minds of the British fast car enthusiast. We're talking about line locks, V8s, manuals and 0-60 times even more. So hopefully you will excuse a little muscle car indulgence, given they're somewhat in vogue right now.

We're unlikely to see right-hand drive versions of the new sixth-gen Camaro, which is a shame given how good it sounded from our US drive. So yes, any Camaro you have in the UK - including this ZL1 - will be left-hand drive. Best deal with that first. Is it an issue? Certainly people have made do with E30 M3s and Delta Integrales in the UK, but this is of course a bigger car. Much bigger. When Dan drove a 45th Anniversary car in 2012, he observed: "You feel the size on a B-road, sure, but dynamically it's not out of its depth." Like a lot of car compromises, if you want to make it work that much then you will surely find a way.

Moreover, it's not like a Camaro ZL1 will leave you stranded if you do venture out for an overtake. The 6.2-litre supercharged V8 may be a little down on the Corvette ZR1's 640hp, but 588hp should be enough. Official figures put it at four seconds to 60mph, 11.96 seconds through the quarter-mile and 184mph flat out. Quick car. The handling isn't bad by all accounts either; watch the Harris vid against the Mustang GT500 for a reminder. It's worth pointing out though that this is a different car to the Z/28, that bonkers track renegade with 305-section Pirelli Trofeo Rs at each corner. This is more your classic muscle car, but probably better than you expect.

Big, brash, badass

And like all the best muscle cars, this Camaro looks absolutely superb. If the original Dodge Charger introduced an air of evil intent to muscle cars, this shows that's still alive and well in the 21st century. The bluff front end, incredibly narrow glasshouse and sharp edges make the ZL1 a very intimidating car, especially in Ashen Grey. Interestingly though the seller says he gets a really positive response to his Camaro, so perhaps a bit of unfamiliarity (and the Transformers link) endears people to it.

If you're a fan of muscle, of huge power allied to a manual gearbox, there's a lot to like about this ZL1. It will surely be a very rare sight in Britain too. This car is for sale at £43K, having been brought back over by a Brit after purchase in Texas. Would you have a new Mustang instead? Not really a fair comparison. But with a previous-gen Shelby GT500 that's £45,000? Far more relevant. Where do your loyalties lie?

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CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1
Engine: 6,162cc supercharged V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 587@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 556@4,200rpm
MPG: 19 (US gallons, EPA highway rating. Approx 22 in UK)
CO2: Next
First registered: 2012
Recorded mileage: 11,500
Price new: $55,505 (new price 2016, approx £38,500)
Yours for: £42,950

See the original advert here.

[R8VXF]

Epic engine in these Would love to have a Bumblebee on the drive next to the VXR8. Engine fwends!

[R8VXF]

keith2.2 said:

drove LA-Vegas-LA in an SS, over the mountain passes then back along the motorway. Bright yellow, rented from Hertz.

I LOVED it.

BUT

For a (RENTAL) car with a 6.2 V8, it really didn't feel at all quick, nor especially powerful. One assumes because of the size.

I think this is probably down to the way the engine produces the power. With a near enough flat torque curve the power climbs all the way to the red line which is fairly low at 6200rpm. There is no surge or tailing off of the power, so it does feel a little bit funny when you slam in to the limiter in 3rd gear.

EDIT- Just noticed you were in the LS3 powered SS, Ignore the above

[R8VXF]

Rallyz said:

19 US gallons per mile is 15.8 UK gallons. US gallons are smaller.

My (Heavier) VXR8 averages 15 around town and mid 20's on the motorway. Think the ZL1 has same gearbox and diff, so should be slightly better.

[R8VXF]

HD Adam said:

If you think you will only get 15mpg in UK gallons, you are getting this back to front.

But is closer to the truth...

[R8VXF]

unsprung said:

It's astonishing how far things have evolved. Traditionally, if somebody would mention buying a car of around 500hp, this would sound extravagant. Or impossible at any price.

When strangers ask about the power, the look on their faces says that to most of the public it is! When I first bought the GTS, I was in the same boat, but 15k miles later, it just seems normal to me. Perceptions change remarkably rapidly.