The Freshest Scoop on the Camaro ZL1 1LE
The 1LE package is set to improve on the already lofty Camaro ZL1. It's set for release in 2018, but there's already a lot we know about it.
1. 1LE sharpens Camaro's Focus
The stock Camaro is one of the best-values in the American muscle car market. In response to the well-received Z/28 variant, Chevrolet will be treating the Camaro to the 1LE package next year, to turn any Camaro into a sharper focused track weapon. Rather than just upping the raw power as some option packages do, the 1LE instead attempts to maximize the total performance envelope, no matter which motor is under the hood. With a host of other performance cars coming out in the next year, including the Dodge Demon, and Chevy's own C8 generation Corvette, the 1LE's alternative approach offers a unique road and track option for high performance drivers.
2. What does the 1LE package entail?
The unique aspect of the 1LE package is that it is not a higher horsepower option, or a special edition only available to a select few after checking all the boxes. You can get the 1LE on a V8 powered Camaro SS, a V6 powered Camaro, and of course the ultimate Camaro ZL1. No matter which motor you want, you get a matte black hood, aerodynamic tweaks, dual mode exhaust, and performance data recorder. V8 powered cars get standard Recaro seats, which are also offered in the V6 at extra cost. You also get Brembo brakes with every 1LE equipped car, and V8 models get Magnetic Ride Control as well.
3. The ZL1 1LE boasts great test records
Compared to the regular Camaro ZL1, the 1LE upgrade boasts a three second improvement on the lap track at General Motors' Milford Proving Grounds. That might not seem like a lot, but it is a pretty big deal. Similarly, when the new 1LE was taken for a spin at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife track, it put down a 7:30 time, an impressive 12 seconds faster than the previous ZL1 version. Shaving seconds off the original time becomes all the more impressive when you stop to consider how good the ZL1 record already was.
4. What's makes this upcoming track package special?
Camaro's ZL1 has been turning heads since the nameplate's 2012 introduction, and the 1LE cranks the knob all the way up. Improving on the already impressive track performance was the Camaro team's focus in designing the 1LE, replacing stock parts with more purely performance-oriented alternatives. New grilles are for aero, not for looks, and a supercharger lid help increase performance during hard track use. Interestingly enough, the ZL1 1LE will only be sold with a six-speed manual transmission, to make to make it clear that this car isn't for the casual auto enthusiast.
5. Weight reduction counts for a lot
Performance car design is all about squeezing the most out of the package. Lowering weight wherever possible can have a significant impact by making it easier to accelerate, slow down, and change direction, shaving those seconds off a lap time. Notable are the tweaks the design team made to the interior; there's still enough inside to give it a luxury edge, but you can tell they made a point of keeping unnecessary doodads to a minimum.
6. The ZL1 1LE - Coming soon to a dealer near you
Possibly one of the coolest things about the Camaro 1LE over competitors is actually the value. As a high-performance variant of an already performance-focused vehicle, the ZL1 1LE is still predicted to cost around $70,000. Forgo the ZL1 power, and get a V6 or SS V8 1LE and the package starts at just $4,500, so the MSRP be as low as $33,300. Whatever it supposedly lacks in horsepower compared to some of the others, it makes up for with well balanced brakes and suspension. These cars are rolling out to dealers right now.
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