Chevy is brewing a mighty ZL1 version of its new and lighter sixth-gen Camaro and we’ve caught GM’s engineers testing one of the first prototypes on the road.
While the heavy camouflage scheme masks the intricate styling details, we can still make out some of the changes over the regular Camaro coupes, such as the large heat extractor on the hood that’s very similar to what’s used on the Corvette Z06 and Cadillac CTS-V, both of which get GM’s new LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V8.
GM hasn’t disclosed what powertrain will be used on the new 2017 Camaro ZL1, but the LT4 that produces 650hp and 650 lb-ft of torque in the Z06 and 640hp and 630 lb-ft in the latest CTS-V – plenty more than the outgoing 5th gen ZL1’s 580hp and 550 lb.-ft. of torque (745Nm), is a prime candidate to find its way under the hood.
Combined with the weight savings over the previous model (the regular versions of the Camaro 6 are around 200 pounds / 90 kg lighter at the curb), the ZL1 should make for one serious performance machine.
The pictures also show a more aggressive body kit with one tester that seemed more complete than others did sporting wider rocker panels, a bigger fixed rear wing, a deep front splitter and possibly, blistered fenders to make space for the wider tires.
Changes will be made to the suspension and brake bits, with the new ZL1 believed to launch after the 2016 Camaro Convertible that’s due next spring.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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