The Camaro ZL1's V8 slams out580 stallions at 6,000 rpm
By Brian Harper, Postmedia News - Horsepower may have been measured by the hoof when British Prime Minister William Pitt addressed the House of Lords in 1770 by stating "unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it," but it has an odd prescience here at the General Motors Proving Grounds outside of Detroit.
For it is power as measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers and applied in an unprecedented amount to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that has many of the assembled auto scribes -- myself included -- sorely tempted.
Unfortunately (or perhaps not), giving into the corrupting influence of 580 stallions from a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine is not in the cards today -- General Motors has decreed that we may look and touch but not drive the to-be-builtin-Oshawa 2012 ZL1, which the automaker calls "the highest-performing (and fastest) Camaro and the most technically advanced car ever developed in its class."
Approximately 30 per cent of the Camaro SS was re-engineered for higher performance in order to morph it into the ZL1.
More than just the sheer power, GM says the ZL1 features technologically advanced and highly developed chassis and suspension systems that help the car deli8ver balanced, track-ready handling and braking power.
The Camaro cognoscenti will recognize the ZL1 name, derived from the all-aluminum racing engine of the same designation, which was developed in the late 1960s and installed into a handful of regular production 1969 Camaros. GM says only 69 were built with the engine, which gives them iconic status among enthusiasts.
For the ZL1, the LSA 6.2L supercharged V8 (also found in the Corvette and Cadillac CTS-V) produces 580 hp at 6,000 rpm and 556 poundfeet of torque at 4,200 rpm, with specific features for the Camaro.
"For sheer power," says Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer, "the ZL1 delivers more horsepower than a Ferrari 458, more torque than an Aston Martin DR9 V12 and a better power-to-weight ratio -- 7.24 pounds per hp -- than a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS."
Built on GM's all-aluminum, small-block V8 architecture, the LSA features an intercooled Eaton supercharger with four-lobe rotors and compact intercooler, heat-resistant aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and other details designed to ensure outrageous performance along with smoothness and refinement.
Other components and design elements that contribute to the LSA's performance include a deep-sump oil pan with oil cooler, high-strength hypereutectic pistons and piston oil squirters.
When fired up, the ZL1 delivers a rich baritone, thanks to the Corvette-derived dual-mode exhaust system, which alters the sound level and character in response to engine rpm.
A high-performance Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual is standard with the LSA V8. GM says this MG9 version of the transmission has 30 pwer cent more torque capacity than the SS.
It is used with a dual-mass flywheel and twin-disc clutch for easier operation and shift smoothness. A new, shorter-throw shifter actuates the gear changes. The available automatic has been strengthened to handle torque and horsepower.
All that power needs a more robust drivetrain to tame it and send it to the rear wheels.
A stronger driveshaft and rear axle system, featuring a larger and stronger cast-iron differential housing, stronger axles and heavy-duty limited-slip differential, are all part of the package.
Equally, the suspension features completely revised tuning and the inclusion of Magnetic Ride Control. The ZL1's Magnetic Ride system includes three settings -- Tour, Sport and Track. It uses magnetorheological technology to produce precise shock damping, which, says GM, enables body control designed for top performance in everyday driving as well as track situations. Other chassis components have been redesigned to support the car's high-performance limits. Rear stabilizer bars have drop links repositioned outboard of the control arms, which says GM, makes the bars more effective in controlling body roll in turns, with crisper response to driver commands.
As for stopping, the ZL1 features an advanced track-capable braking system, developed in conjunction with Brembo. The large 370-millimetre two-piece front rotors have six-piston calipers; 365-mm rear rotors have four-piston calipers.
For it is power as measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers and applied in an unprecedented amount to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that has many of the assembled auto scribes -- myself included -- sorely tempted.
Unfortunately (or perhaps not), giving into the corrupting influence of 580 stallions from a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine is not in the cards today -- General Motors has decreed that we may look and touch but not drive the to-be-builtin-Oshawa 2012 ZL1, which the automaker calls "the highest-performing (and fastest) Camaro and the most technically advanced car ever developed in its class."
Approximately 30 per cent of the Camaro SS was re-engineered for higher performance in order to morph it into the ZL1.
More than just the sheer power, GM says the ZL1 features technologically advanced and highly developed chassis and suspension systems that help the car deli8ver balanced, track-ready handling and braking power.
The Camaro cognoscenti will recognize the ZL1 name, derived from the all-aluminum racing engine of the same designation, which was developed in the late 1960s and installed into a handful of regular production 1969 Camaros. GM says only 69 were built with the engine, which gives them iconic status among enthusiasts.
For the ZL1, the LSA 6.2L supercharged V8 (also found in the Corvette and Cadillac CTS-V) produces 580 hp at 6,000 rpm and 556 poundfeet of torque at 4,200 rpm, with specific features for the Camaro.
"For sheer power," says Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer, "the ZL1 delivers more horsepower than a Ferrari 458, more torque than an Aston Martin DR9 V12 and a better power-to-weight ratio -- 7.24 pounds per hp -- than a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS."
Built on GM's all-aluminum, small-block V8 architecture, the LSA features an intercooled Eaton supercharger with four-lobe rotors and compact intercooler, heat-resistant aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and other details designed to ensure outrageous performance along with smoothness and refinement.
Other components and design elements that contribute to the LSA's performance include a deep-sump oil pan with oil cooler, high-strength hypereutectic pistons and piston oil squirters.
When fired up, the ZL1 delivers a rich baritone, thanks to the Corvette-derived dual-mode exhaust system, which alters the sound level and character in response to engine rpm.
A high-performance Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual is standard with the LSA V8. GM says this MG9 version of the transmission has 30 pwer cent more torque capacity than the SS.
It is used with a dual-mass flywheel and twin-disc clutch for easier operation and shift smoothness. A new, shorter-throw shifter actuates the gear changes. The available automatic has been strengthened to handle torque and horsepower.
All that power needs a more robust drivetrain to tame it and send it to the rear wheels.
A stronger driveshaft and rear axle system, featuring a larger and stronger cast-iron differential housing, stronger axles and heavy-duty limited-slip differential, are all part of the package.
Equally, the suspension features completely revised tuning and the inclusion of Magnetic Ride Control. The ZL1's Magnetic Ride system includes three settings -- Tour, Sport and Track. It uses magnetorheological technology to produce precise shock damping, which, says GM, enables body control designed for top performance in everyday driving as well as track situations. Other chassis components have been redesigned to support the car's high-performance limits. Rear stabilizer bars have drop links repositioned outboard of the control arms, which says GM, makes the bars more effective in controlling body roll in turns, with crisper response to driver commands.
As for stopping, the ZL1 features an advanced track-capable braking system, developed in conjunction with Brembo. The large 370-millimetre two-piece front rotors have six-piston calipers; 365-mm rear rotors have four-piston calipers.
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