2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Trim Overview

You wanted the Z28. You were told you were going to get the Z28. You waited patiently. Instead, you got the ZL1. You won’t be disappointed. For those old enough to remember, the ZL1 was an optional all-aluminum 427-cubic-inch engine that 69 lucky racers enjoyed back in ’69. It was the most powerful engine ever stuffed into a Camaro at the time and resulted in the rarest Camaro of all time. With the other boys from Detroit already offering their own special-edition muscle, Chevrolet had to follow suit by stuffing a supercharged, intercooled version of the 6.2-liter LSA V8 into its own ponycar and naming the beast after that most sought-after Camaro in history – the ZL1.

But power isn’t all Chevy gave its new creation. The ZL1 gets upgrades all over, with a reinforced driveshaft and rear axle to handle the extra power, as well as a heavy-duty limited-slip differential to prevent power being converted directly into smoke. The newest version of GM’s Magnetic Ride Control stands as the LZ1’s suspension, and Chevy makes the dubious claim that it’s the fastest-reacting suspension in the world. Regardless, it’s a welcome upgrade over the stock Camaro setup. All this attention was spurred by Ford’s own efforts to improve the nimbleness of the Mustang, which earned the Blue Oval much praise in recent years. To that end, the LZ1 is getting new electric variable-ratio steering, an unproven system that makes many nervous. GM is confident it will surpass expectations, but we’re not ones to believe in promises or stories. Real road time will be needed to assuage fear. Brakes are proven, however, with 14.6-inch vented discs getting pinched by 6-piston Brembos up front and 14.4-inchers getting the bite from 4-piston Brembos out back. Cross-drilling would have been nice, but these will bring things to a halt with authority regardless. The ZL1 gets unique 20-inch forged aluminum alloys in staggered width as well, with Supercar F2 performance tires specially developed by Goodyear for the Camaro. The extra effort is appreciated, but say goodbye to rotating or extra options at the tire counter after you quickly wear through that first set of rears.

That should happen quickly. Even with the beefier limited-slip, 550 lb-ft of torque coming on at 3,800 rpm will rip through the rubber, and with its matching 550 horses showing up at 6,100 rpm, the 6.2-liter V8 should climb easily through the rev range. These are estimates from Chevrolet, but this engine is also being used in the Cadillac CTS-V, and there it has been SAE certified at 506 hp and 551 lb-ft at the same rpm marks. It uses a 1.9-liter Eaton Twin Vortices 4-lobe roots-type supercharger with a water-to-air intercooler. While the Mustang has switched to a DOHC design, the Camaro ZL1 retains a more traditional pushrod arrangement, which may actually attract some purists despite its antiquated layout. Power application was considered as well, with the Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual the cog-swapper of choice here. Its uses a dual-mass flywheel and twin-disc clutch and gets shorter throws than the lower Camaros in the stable.

Obviously if you’re willing to pay the price for a top-tier trim, you’ll want your neighbors to know about it. A raised aluminum hood is an immediate giveaway, with its functional cutouts and carbon-fiber insert, and a redesigned front fascia with vertical foglights gets more carbon fiber in its splitter. The same approach follows around the ZL1, with wheel-well and rocker-panel skirts as well as a diffuser out back.

If this ostentatious display actually lures your neighbors over, take ‘em for a ride and impress them with heated leather/suede sport seats, a head-up display borrowed from the Corvette and a brand-new leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel that takes care of all those complaints Chevy got about the old tiller. You’ll also notice a new boost readout for the supercharger and alloy pedals, but if you want to dress things up a bit, you can add suede inserts for the dash, too.

The reports and test drives will start pouring in soon, but on paper the ZL1 looks to be the Cobra killer Chevy’s been looking for. Whether or not it’ll have the moves to be considered a true mongoose can’t be said, but at least it looks like it’ll live up to its mythical moniker.