In the world of performance cars, it’s often difficult to find a vehicle that produces huge levels of downforce while still having an impressive top speed unless it sports advanced active aerodynamics. Take the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, for example.
The ZL1 1LE is positioned as the most track-focused variant of the iconic American muscle car. It can lap a circuit at truly frightening speeds, shocking a supercar or two in the process.
Making the ZL1 1LE so much faster than the ‘standard’ ZL1 around a circuit is its aggressive aerodynamic package that includes a towering rear wing, sharp front splitter, and prominent canards. Chevrolet claims the regular ZL1 has a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h,) and this video shows that the 1LE just can’t get close to that mark.
Also Watch: 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Goes Flat-Out During Half-Mile Speed Test
This red example was put to the test at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds, where it ran down the 3.22-mile (5.15 km) long runway and hit a top speed of 178 mph (286 km/h). That’s fast, no doubt about it, but it is well down on the top speed of the ZL1 that doesn’t feature such crazy, and drag-inducing, aero add-ons. Evidently, if you want a Camaro with a top speed that you want to brag to your friends about, the ZL1 is the vehicle you want.
Powering both models is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 delivering 650 HP at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft (881 Nm) of torque at 3,600 rpm. Since aerodynamics only come at play at higher speeds, they need an identical 3.5 seconds to hit 60 mph (96 km/h).