Supercharged! 570hp! What ZL?!
Is This the Mustang's Latest Nightmare?
by Hib Halverson, Content Director

Camaro news is coming at a feverish pace. Couple months ago, we had the Convertible debut. Last month, we learned Camaro will pace the 2011 Indy 500. Last week, at the Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet debuted the 2010 Camaro ZL1, the final model in the 5th Gen Camaro triumvirate and released to the Camaro Homepage a lot of info on the Mustang's latest bad news.

It will be the highest-performing production Camaro and the most technologically-advanced car developed to date for the rear-drive, sporty coupe segment. Key advancements are: the LSA, a 550+ horsepower, supercharged V8, a two-plate clutch, a ride-adaptive shock absorber system called "Magnetic Ride Control", Brembo brakes, electric power steering and changes to the exterior and interior.

“Camaro ZL1 is about high-tech performance and design and is a type of car no one has ever brought to this segment previously,” said Rick Scheidt, Chevrolet Vice President of Marketing. “It’s the most technically advanced Camaro ever, so we’ve chosen a name from the most elite and exclusive Camaro in history.”

Scheidt is talking about the RPO code for an all-aluminum, 427-cubic inch, Big-Block Chevrolet racing engine developed in the late 1960s and installed into a few 1969 Camaros. In the Camaro nation, those ZL1-powered cars, 69 of them, are legendary. Want to learn more about the '69 ZL1's? Click here.

The central goal of the ZL1 development was creating something new–a Camaro capable of outstanding performance on road racing circuits as well as great driving dynamics on the street. Achieving that required evolution of many of the car's existing systems as well as introducing new technologies to Camaro, such as the LSA, Magnetic Ride Control, Brembos and electric power steering.

It's Got Boost and a Lot More

The LSA, supercharged, Small-Block V8, originally developed for the Cadillac CTS-V and to be used, with some modifications, in the ZL1, is a more cost-effective cousin to the Corvette ZR1's exotic LS9. It uses the same supercharger design, but the Camaro blower has slightly less flow capacity. It uses the same short block and heads but with forged steel, rather than titanium, connecting rods; steel, rather than titanium, intake valves, a slightly less-aggressive camshaft profile and wet sump oiling.

Of late, each time a new performance engine is released, in this case, Camaro's LSA, we get one of these wonderful pictures from Powertrain's Tom Read, of all the parts laid-out in precise order. For an engine guy or gal, this stuff makes great eye candy and excellent wall art. Image: GM Powertrain.

Pop a ZL1's hood and...whoa! Image: GM Powertrain.

In addition, the LSA in the ZL1 has some Camaro-specific pieces which differentiate it from the Cadillac version, such as special exhaust manifolds, different accessory drive, unique charge air cooler, unique air filter assembly and engine cover and an oil pan designed for the Camaro chassis. Lastly, the ZL1 gets a Camaro version of the dual-mode exhaust system used on Corvettes since 2006.

GM has not issued an official power rating for the Camaro's LSA, but the Cadillac version is rated at 556-hp@6100 rpm. The Camaro will have a more freer flowing exhaust than a Caddy and, beyond that, the ZL1's dual-mode exhaust has the computer-controlled bypass valves which give Corvettes some extra power, so we're going to guess ZL1's LSA will eventually be rated at 570hp@6100 rpm.

On the business end of the LSA is a dual-mass flywheel, a two-plate clutch and the heavy-duty “MG9” version of the TREMEC TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission which has higher torque capacity and is specific to supercharged engines. This six-speed also gets a new, shorter-throw shifter. Currently, GM has no plans to offer an automatic transmission.

The driveline has a stronger driveshaft and an HD rear axle system, featuring a cast iron differential housing, stronger axles and a heavy-duty limited-slip differential. These enhancements ensure that ZL1’s prodigious torque is delivered smoothly and reliably to the ground. 

Cutting Edge Ride and Handling

The ZL1 is a complete high-performance car, not just a Camaro with more power and demonstrative of that is the car's chassis. The spring rates, stabilizer bars, and bushings have all been retuned. In addition, the rear stabilizer bar's links were repositioned outboard of the control arms. This makes the bar more effective in controlling body roll in turns. The result of all this makes the car's handling best in the segment.

With this greater emphasis on handling, you'd think the car's ride would be very stiff, but it's not because the car is also fitted with Magnetic Ride Control (or just "MR") which is a computer-controlled set of ride-adaptive shock absorbers.

A photomicrograph of the magnetorheological fluid inside a ZL1's shock absorbers. The iron particles are coated with a polymer to prevent corrosion and to make the particles non-abrasive such that they flow through the shock without causing erosion. Image: BASF.

The shocks are filled with magneto-rheological fluid which is an oil with microscopic, polymer-coated, iron particles in suspension. Inside each shock are electromagnets which create a magnetic field the intensity of which is computer-controlled. When the field is applied to the fluid, the iron particles line up parallel to the magnetic flux lines posing a resistance to flow. That flow resistance varies with the rapid changes in the magnetic field commanded by MR's controller. The end result is a shock which can vary its valving, and thus its damping rate, in near real time.

How does MR enhance the ZL1s ride? When a low level of damping authority is needed to provide a comfortable ride, Magnetic Ride Control enables that. When body motion needs more forceful damping during aggressive driving, MR can stiffen the shock valving in a matter of a few microseconds.

Magnetic Ride Control can vary through nearly its full range of damping, from very stiff to very soft, in around 10 milliseconds while the car, traveling at highway speeds, moves about a foot–pretty amazing stuff which allows the car's suspension to be tuned for very aggressive handing on a road race track but still have acceptable ride on the street.

With tires as important to handling as springs, stabilizer bars and shocks, this killer Camaro gets the good stuff: Goodyear's new Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 in sizes developed specifically for the ZL1. Image: GM Communications.

This ultimate Camaro has some killer brakes, supplied by Brembo, which, at first glance, might seem more at home on a NASCAR Sprint Cup car. In the front are huge, two-piece, 14.6-in. rotors with massive six-piston calipers. In the back are 14.4-in. rotors and four-pot calipers. ZL1 marks the introduction of electric power steering to Camaro. It was developed to ensure precise control, improve feedback to the driver and provide greater effort variability in high-performance driving. The engine does not have a conventional hydraulic power steering pump. That reduces weight and enhances performance because no engine power is used to run a steering pump.

Lastly, on the ride and handling front, ZL1 gets some killer wheels and tires: new, 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, lighter and wider (10-in., front and 11-in, the rear) than the wheels used on the Camaro SS, along with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires (285/35ZR20, front, and 305/35ZR20, rear) developed specifically for the ZL1.

Ed Welburn, GM's design chief, was present at the ZL1 debut at Chicago. He  is a '69 Camaro owner and a GM Vice President. He told us, "Everything about the ZL1’s design is directly related to its technology and serious performance, especially aerodynamics. Our designers’ goal was to execute that function-oriented design with beautifully sculpted forms, creating an imposing, powerful persona. Function becomes the aesthetic. The intent is a car that delivers on the attitude it projects.” Image: Steve Fecht.

Exterior and Interior Design

Camaro ZL1’s design communicates and supports its performance mission. Rather than using decoration, this car stands out from other Camaros with elements vital to the car’s elevated capabilities.

Major design components are a new front fascia and hood with air extractors, designed in tandem to create aerodynamic downforce to aid handling. The car’s hood includes a center section made of carbon fiber with a satin black finish. New rocker panels, wide tires, 20-inch wheels and bigger exhaust tips portray the car’s handling and power. The ZL1 badge appears on the grille, hood and the brake calipers.

The ZL1's front end carries 5th-gen styling cues, but is a bit different than than those of an SS, both for differentiation and for aerodynamic reasons. Image: GM Communications

ZL1’s signature front end has the redesigned fascia and aluminum hood with a raised, carbon fiber insert. The fascia includes a front splitter and new, vertical fog lamps. The fog lamp area includes brake cooling intakes. The hood features front-mounted air extractors which direct air over the car. Visually, this center section, in satin black carbon fiber, communicates the car’s high-performance intent as a visual contrast to the car’s exterior color. Functionally, the air extractor is key to connecting airflow closely to the bodywork, creating aerodynamic downforce. The carbon fiber center section reduces the mass of the hood.

The car's hood is aluminum with a vented, carbon fiber insert. It is as functional–light weight and an aerodynamic enhancement–as it is pretty. Image: GM Communications.

High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and fog lamps are standard. The rear of the car includes a diffuser and spoiler, also, functional elements which enhance aerodynamics. All Camaro exterior colors will be offered with the ZL1

HID headlights are standard on ZL1s along with unique badging. Image: GM Communications.

The interior is tailored for performance driving. Black is the only color. The front seats feature heaters, microfiber suede inserts and ZL1 logos embroidered on the front headrests. Microfiber suede is repeated as an accent on the instrument panel, adding a richer look to the interior. Other enhancements include a redesigned steering wheel, alloy pedals, head-up display (HUD) with unique performance readouts and the “four-pack” auxiliary gauge system featuring a boost indicator..

 The ZL1 will include the same content as the 2011 2SS package along with the these new or unique features: six-way power seats, unique instrument panel and door panel inserts, ZL1-logo sill plates, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth and wireless PDIM capability, USB port, Boston Acoustics premium audio system, rear parking assist and a rear camera system which displays inside the rearview mirror. 

Key visual cues in the ZL1 interior are a different instrument panel, unique steering wheel, special gauge pack and the short throw shifter. Image: GM Communications

The center console includes Camaro's trademark gauge pack, which, in the ZL1's case includes a boost indicator. Below the gauges are the selectors for the Magnetic Ride Control's "sport" and "tour" modes along with the traction control switch. Image: GM Communications.

Want One?

Camaro Chief Engineer, Al Oppenheiser's development team have already subjected ZL1 prototypes to extensive performance development at demanding road courses such as GM's "Lutzring" (aka "The Milford Road Course") at GM's Proving Ground outside of Detroit and at the famed Nürburgring in Germany, with final testing to be completed through mid-2011. In the interim, the car displayed at the Chicago Auto Show will make appearances at selected events around the country. Production of ZL1s will start in early 2012 and the cars will reach showrooms in the Spring of 2012. Orders for ZL1s will be accepted starting later in 2011.

GM's Camaro ZL1 Image Wiget.

See different views of the car by clicking the photos at the bottom.

	2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
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