The ZL1 features a supercharged LT4 6.2L V-8 Small Block engine, with intake and exhaust systems tailored for Camaro. It is rated at an estimated 640 horsepower (477 kW) and 640 lb-ft of torque (868 Nm), backed by a standard six-speed manual transmission or all-new, available paddle-shift 10-speed automatic. The 10-speed automatic has 7.39 overall ratio for smaller steps between gears. It enables the LT4 engine to remain at optimal rpm levels during acceleration, particularly when exiting corners, for quicker laps and lightning-quick responses on both up- and down-shifts.

(Image/Chevrolet)

Beware the Ides of March?

Not if you love ridiculously fast Chevy Camaros with all-new, smooth-shifting 10-speed transmissions.

Chevrolet gave the world its first official look at the 2017 Camaro ZL1 Tuesday, and even for those who correctly guessed the car would be powered by the same supercharged LT4 under the hood of the new Z06 Corvette, approximately zero people walked away from experiencing the new ZL1 thinking: Meh.

GM officials took Hot Rod journalists on hot laps at Pahrump, NV-based Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, leaving them to write: “…it sure sounded like it brought all 650 hp that the Z06 does.”

Officially, the ZL1’s supercharged 6.2L V8 is said to produce 640 horsepower and 640 ft-lbs. of torque. That is 60 more horsepower and 84 more ft.-lbs. than the 2015 ZL1, while weighing 200 fewer pounds.

This new Camaro features an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission (though a manual six-speed option is available) with paddle shifters tuned specifically for ZL1 performance.

The 2017 ZL1 features Magnetic Ride Suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, and a performance traction management system.

The new ZL1 will be available for purchase later this year.

Learn more about the new ZL1 Camaro from Hot Rod here, and Autoblog here.

Also, check out this video from LSXTV:

Keywords
2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1, GM LT4
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Author: Matt Griswold

After a 10-year newspaper journalism career, Matt Griswold spent another decade writing about the automotive aftermarket and motorsports. He was part of the original OnAllCylinders editorial team when it launched in 2012.