By Art Stevens, Bounder Magazine - Car enthusiasts world-wide were pleasantly surprised in April when Chevrolet unexpectedly introduced the Camaro Z/28 for the 2014 model year at the New York City Auto Show.
The Z/28 was first introduced in 1967 to compete in the Sports Car Club of American's Trans-Am 2 class. Originally designed for road racing, the 2014 Z/28 continues the same lineage. The list of design and technological innovations for the Z/28 is longer than this article will allow. Here are just a few of the many highlights.
PowertrainWhile there are many powerful engines currently in the Camaro line-up, Chevrolet chose to power the 2014 Z/28 with a hand-assemble LS7 (7 litre - 427 cu. inch) engine, providing an unconfirmed 500+ horsepower rating, making this engine the most-powerful normally aspirated regular production small block V8. Chevrolet advises that the engine achieves a 7,000 rpm redline due to the highest quality parts and precision assembly. Their use of lightweight components such as titanium intake valves and connecting rods with a forged-steel crankshaft make for an incredibly strong engine. A standard 10.5 quart, dry-sump oiling system delivers pressurized oil from an external reservoir so vital components are lubricated under high-g driving. Another liquid-to-liquid system is used to cool the transmission and the differential.
The six speed TREMEC TR6060 manual gearbox with a 5.1:1-ratio short-throw shifter with a tire melting 3.91:1 final-drive ratio is the only available transmission. Automatic transmission cannot be ordered.
The rear wheels get the power via a limited-slip differential. The differential features a helical gear set rather than traditional clutch packs. The gear set continuously adjusts torque bias to allow Z/28 drivers to apply more power to get through corners faster. The differential coupled with the Performance Traction Management (PTM) system, drivers can adjust the amount of throttle and brake activity to match their individual driving abilities and driving environment, essentially making PTM custom to each driving situation.
Body2014 Camaro Z/28 design of the exterior takes its styling cues from the original legend while incorporating today's design and technology elements. The 'Z's racing pedigree provided styling influences that make the 2014 Z/28 track-ready with aerodynamic treatments designed to produce downforce - specifically at track speeds. Camaro designers have created a large splitter, which connects to an underbody panel to reduce lift. Front and rear wheel fender flares and extended rocker panels contribute to aerodynamic stability. Z/28 also has an aggressive rear spoiler and functional diffuser to complete the fully integrated aerodynamic package.
InteriorThe 2014 Z/28 is equipped with all-new driver and front passenger racing seats designed by RECARO. The seat bolsters are aggressive in design to ensure both passenger and driver remain firmly planted, even in high-energy driving situations. (The Z/28 is capable of 1.05 g in cornering acceleration and 1.5 g in deceleration. It's important to "stay seated" during the performance!)
A flat-bottom steering wheel provides leg room when entering and exiting the driver's seat, as well as provides room for quicker heel/toe shifting. A short-throw shifter allows for rapid, confident shifting.
ChassisThe 2014 Camaro Z/28 is equipped with massive Pirelli PZero Trofeo R 305/30ZR19 tires. The 500+ ponies are slowed using Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix rotors and fixed, monoblock calipers. The gigantic 394x36 mm front rotors use 6-piston calipers, while the 390x32 mm rear rotors are paired with 4-piston calipers. Chevy engineers say that compared to similar-size, 2-piece steel rotors, the lightweight and large carbon calipers save 22 pounds, while encouraging impressive stopping power and heat toleration, which is what's required for track usage.
General Motors claims Camaro Z/28 is one of the first production cars featuring race-proven, spool-valve dampers. The spool-valve damper allows four-way adjustment to precisely tune both bump and rebound settings for high-speed and low-speed wheel motions. The wider tuning range dramatically increases the damper stiffness on Camaro Z/28 without significantly impacting ride quality."
Weight Watching
Some automotive journalists have reported that Chevrolet engineers were put on a mission to have the new Z/28 shed pounds in all possible areas. In addition to the previously mentioned 22 lb. weight saving in the brake design, the 2014 Z/28's 19-inch wheels save 42 lbs. over the 20-inch wheels found on the Camaro SS and ZL1 models. Additional weight savings were found by the elimination of the tire inflation kit, trunk carpeting, fog lights and removal of some sound deadening materials. The rear glass is slightly thinner than all other Camaros, and the Z/28's battery is a lightweight model. The stereo has been removed with only a single speaker remaining in order to provide the seat-belt reminder chime. Changes to the materials in the back seat and elimination of the back seat "pass through" feature shed an additional 9 pounds of weight. These changes have the 2014 Camaro Z/28 weighing 300 lbs. less than the ZL1 and 40 pounds lighter than the Camaro SS equipped with a manual transmission.
All indications are that the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 will require a serious test drive for drivers with a passion to return to the days of the true track-bred performers.
Pricing of the 2014 Camaro Z/28 is yet to be determined, with delivery to dealer showrooms scheduled for this Fall.
The Z/28 was first introduced in 1967 to compete in the Sports Car Club of American's Trans-Am 2 class. Originally designed for road racing, the 2014 Z/28 continues the same lineage. The list of design and technological innovations for the Z/28 is longer than this article will allow. Here are just a few of the many highlights.
PowertrainWhile there are many powerful engines currently in the Camaro line-up, Chevrolet chose to power the 2014 Z/28 with a hand-assemble LS7 (7 litre - 427 cu. inch) engine, providing an unconfirmed 500+ horsepower rating, making this engine the most-powerful normally aspirated regular production small block V8. Chevrolet advises that the engine achieves a 7,000 rpm redline due to the highest quality parts and precision assembly. Their use of lightweight components such as titanium intake valves and connecting rods with a forged-steel crankshaft make for an incredibly strong engine. A standard 10.5 quart, dry-sump oiling system delivers pressurized oil from an external reservoir so vital components are lubricated under high-g driving. Another liquid-to-liquid system is used to cool the transmission and the differential.
The six speed TREMEC TR6060 manual gearbox with a 5.1:1-ratio short-throw shifter with a tire melting 3.91:1 final-drive ratio is the only available transmission. Automatic transmission cannot be ordered.
The rear wheels get the power via a limited-slip differential. The differential features a helical gear set rather than traditional clutch packs. The gear set continuously adjusts torque bias to allow Z/28 drivers to apply more power to get through corners faster. The differential coupled with the Performance Traction Management (PTM) system, drivers can adjust the amount of throttle and brake activity to match their individual driving abilities and driving environment, essentially making PTM custom to each driving situation.
Body2014 Camaro Z/28 design of the exterior takes its styling cues from the original legend while incorporating today's design and technology elements. The 'Z's racing pedigree provided styling influences that make the 2014 Z/28 track-ready with aerodynamic treatments designed to produce downforce - specifically at track speeds. Camaro designers have created a large splitter, which connects to an underbody panel to reduce lift. Front and rear wheel fender flares and extended rocker panels contribute to aerodynamic stability. Z/28 also has an aggressive rear spoiler and functional diffuser to complete the fully integrated aerodynamic package.
InteriorThe 2014 Z/28 is equipped with all-new driver and front passenger racing seats designed by RECARO. The seat bolsters are aggressive in design to ensure both passenger and driver remain firmly planted, even in high-energy driving situations. (The Z/28 is capable of 1.05 g in cornering acceleration and 1.5 g in deceleration. It's important to "stay seated" during the performance!)
A flat-bottom steering wheel provides leg room when entering and exiting the driver's seat, as well as provides room for quicker heel/toe shifting. A short-throw shifter allows for rapid, confident shifting.
ChassisThe 2014 Camaro Z/28 is equipped with massive Pirelli PZero Trofeo R 305/30ZR19 tires. The 500+ ponies are slowed using Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix rotors and fixed, monoblock calipers. The gigantic 394x36 mm front rotors use 6-piston calipers, while the 390x32 mm rear rotors are paired with 4-piston calipers. Chevy engineers say that compared to similar-size, 2-piece steel rotors, the lightweight and large carbon calipers save 22 pounds, while encouraging impressive stopping power and heat toleration, which is what's required for track usage.
General Motors claims Camaro Z/28 is one of the first production cars featuring race-proven, spool-valve dampers. The spool-valve damper allows four-way adjustment to precisely tune both bump and rebound settings for high-speed and low-speed wheel motions. The wider tuning range dramatically increases the damper stiffness on Camaro Z/28 without significantly impacting ride quality."
Weight Watching
Some automotive journalists have reported that Chevrolet engineers were put on a mission to have the new Z/28 shed pounds in all possible areas. In addition to the previously mentioned 22 lb. weight saving in the brake design, the 2014 Z/28's 19-inch wheels save 42 lbs. over the 20-inch wheels found on the Camaro SS and ZL1 models. Additional weight savings were found by the elimination of the tire inflation kit, trunk carpeting, fog lights and removal of some sound deadening materials. The rear glass is slightly thinner than all other Camaros, and the Z/28's battery is a lightweight model. The stereo has been removed with only a single speaker remaining in order to provide the seat-belt reminder chime. Changes to the materials in the back seat and elimination of the back seat "pass through" feature shed an additional 9 pounds of weight. These changes have the 2014 Camaro Z/28 weighing 300 lbs. less than the ZL1 and 40 pounds lighter than the Camaro SS equipped with a manual transmission.
All indications are that the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 will require a serious test drive for drivers with a passion to return to the days of the true track-bred performers.
Pricing of the 2014 Camaro Z/28 is yet to be determined, with delivery to dealer showrooms scheduled for this Fall.
No comments:
Post a Comment