2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Will Blow You Away

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Credit: Chevrolet)

Ford fans, eat your hearts out. Chevrolet has finally unveiled the 2017 Camaro ZL1, and the thing is glorious in so many ways. Even Mustang fanboys can admit that the supercharged LT4 6.2-liter Small Block V-8 should provide lots of tire-shredding fun with about 640 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque.

The standard transmission is as it should be, a six-speed manual. For those who prefer, there’s an optional automatic with 10 speeds, and a 7.39 overall ratio. You’ll be hearing much more about this automatic, because GM is going to plop it in eight new vehicles by the close of 2018.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Credit: Chevrolet)

Lightness is huge these days, and Chevy put the ZL1 on a big diet so it shed about 200 pounds versus the old ZL1. That kind of a curb weight and the LT4’s monstrous output should make for crazy-fast acceleration, but so far there are no official numbers.

Chevy is pointing out that the new ZL1 is track-ready out of the box, unlike some nameless pony cars.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 interior (Credit: Chevrolet)

The “flow-tie” badge on the grille is back, but it’s updated. Other additions include a completely new hood with a carbon fiber heat extractor, a bigger front splitter, wider front fenders, model-specific rockers and a rear spoiler that’s pretty wing-like.

Drivers get to feel the softness of a sueded shift knob and flat-bottom steering wheel, so their hands don’t get all roughed up. Recaro front seats come standard, but the Performance Data Recorder that originally debuted in the Corvette is optional.