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Camaro ZL1 tries for 200 mph on German test oval

It's official. The Camaro ZL1 Coupe has a top speed of 198 mph (318 km/h).

Chevrolet tested the max velocity of the ZL1 (with 10-speed automatic) on the High Speed Oval at Germany's Automotive Testing Papenburg GmBH proving ground. Compensating for wind speed, the top speed is the average achieved from running the ZL1 in both directions on the 7.6-mile (12.3-km) loop -- 202.3 mph in one direction and 193.3 mph in the other direction.

"This test caps an impressive list of performance stats for the Camaro ZL1, which was designed to excel at everything," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "It's the most capable -- and fastest -- Camaro ever."

The Papenburg testing was conducted on the ZL1's production Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires with pressure set at 44 psi, the recommended setting for extended high-speed driving. The car's only deviations from stock were mandatory safety equipment and data logging equipment.

Papenburg's high-speed oval features 2.5-mile (4-km) straights and 1.3-mile (2.15-km) turns with 49.7-degree banking on the top lane. The steep banking allowed Chevrolet test drivers to run the ZL1 flat out around the track without lifting off the throttle in the turns.

"The ZL1 was developed with high-speed performance in mind, incorporating a balanced aerodynamic package that reduces lift without significantly affecting drag," said Oppenheiser. "After testing the car in standard settings, which produced the 198-mph average, we set the front and rear camber adjustments to 0 degrees and the tire pressures to the maximum allowable sidewall pressure, and saw the ZL1 average over 200 mph."

Special aero features include a stanchion rear spoiler that offers an advantageous lift/drag ratio compared to a blade-style rear spoiler, and a patent-pending auxiliary transmission oil cooler cover that reduces front-end lift with no drag penalty. The front-to-rear aero balance was also fine-tuned for high-speed stability.

Additional performance capabilities of the ZL1 Coupe tested with the available 10-speed automatic transmission include:

• 0-60 mph in 3.5 sec;
• Quarter mile in 11.4 sec at 127 mph;
• 1.02g max cornering; and
• 60-0 mph braking in 107 ft (35 m).

The 650-hp, supercharged LT4 engine powering the ZL1 is matched with a standard six-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Match or an available, all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. Additional features include:

• Magnetic Ride Control;
• Electronic limited-slip differential (coupe only);
• 20-in. forged aluminum wheels;
• Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 summer-only tires measuring 285/30ZR20 in front and 305/30ZR20 in the rear; and
• Brembo brakes with six-piston monobloc front calipers and two-piece rotors.

Special track package available
In preliminary testing earlier this year, the new ZL1 1LE (special track package) was faster by 3 sec than the standard ZL1 Coupe around General Motors' 2.9-mile, 18-turn Milford Road Course test track. The ZL1 1LE incorporates a racing-based suspension and aero technologies, as well as exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only tires, in an extreme track performance package.

Chevrolet says the improved track performance is driven by four key elements:

• Aerodynamics: New aero features, including a carbon fiber rear wing and specific air deflectors and dive planes on the front fascia, produce grip-generating downforce to help the car stick harder and drive faster in turns.
• Adjustable suspension: The ZL1 1LE features racing-derived, lightweight Multimatic DSSV (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers front and rear for exceptional wheel and vehicle control. The front-end ride height is adjustable with the front dampers, which are used with all-new, adjustable camber plates. The rear stabilizer bar also offers three-way adjustability. All of the components are designed for quick changes at the track for optimal performance and a quick return to street settings when the track day ends.
• Wheels and tires: New, lightweight forged aluminum wheels are an inch wider but an inch smaller in diameter, front and rear, than standard ZL1 wheels and are used with new Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires that deliver max lateral grip of 1.10g. Developed exclusively for the Camaro ZL1 1LE, the 3R tires are designed to warm up faster to help maintain more consistent grip and speed, lap after lap. The overall footprint grows approximately 10 percent over the ZL1, but the wheel-and-tire package weighs about 1.5 lb (3.3 kg) less per corner.
• Lighter weight: The lighter wheels and dampers, along with reduced-thickness rear glass and a fixed-back rear seat, contribute to an approximately 60-lb (27-kg) lower curb weight than a standard ZL1 Coupe.

But what's all this gonna cost you? The 2017 Camaro ZL1 starts at $63,435 for a coupe with the manual transmission (price includes $995 destination and $1,300 gas guzzler tax) and $65,830 for a coupe with the 10-speed automatic (price includes $995 destination and $2,100 gas guzzler tax). The special track version ZL1 1LE should run around $10,000 more (no official price given by Chevrolet).

Source: Chevrolet

Published May 2017

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