2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“The mightiest Camaro lords it over the muscle-car octagon.”- Car and Driver 

With a sticker price of $63,000, the 2020 Camaro ZL1 is a sports coupe with a crazy V8 engine. There are two transmission options with a 6-speed stick shift taking the lead, another 10-speed automatic transmission comes optional. The transmission sends the V8's 650 horsepower to the rear wheels of the Camaro. All this makes the Camaro ZL1 easily compete with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren.  

The 2020 Camaro ZL1 offers many features like Brembo brakes with 6-piston and 4-piston calipers at the front and rear respectively, electronic limited-slip differential, custom launch control, magnetic ride control, rear sport spoiler, Recaro performance seats, wireless charging and much more to offer the ultimate Camaro experience. Not bad for a car that costs less than a fourth of a brand new Lamborghini Huracan.

Look towards the top of the Camaro lineup and it’s the craziest a muscle car could ever get. You will need a hell of money to ride this badass beast and get the full zest of the muscle car persona. It’s equipped with a mighty V8 paired with a 6-speed transmission and custom launch control. Throw in the 1LE performance package and you will upgrade your Camaro for better cornering, braking, weight-reduction and distinctive styling.

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The ZL1 sits at the pinnacle of the ZL1 lineup. The majority of us would be pretty satisfied with what Chevy delivers on this one though there will be some extremists out there. Those wild souls can go for the 1LE Extreme Track Performance package which adds features like race-oriented suspension, carbon fiber hood, rear spoiler, wider tires and more. It costs around $9,000 more for the 1LE package over the standard ZL1 trim. 

“The Camaro's supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, borrowed from the pricier Chevrolet Corvette Z06, is a well-behaved and tractable beast that makes power all over the rev range and leaves black streaks all over the road.”- Car and Driver

The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is powered by a 6.2L V8 engine producing 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. It comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission or an optional 10-speed automatic transmission. The stick shift transmission boasts short throws and is equipped with rev-matching downshifts. The power is transferred to the rear wheels only and makes it even more fun to drive. 

It does a 0-60 mph sprint in about 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile drag is done in about 11.4 seconds. Despite being a muscle car, the acceleration times fall in the supercar category. The Camaro ZL1 offers intuitive handling, thanks to its lower center of gravity. It’s cornering abilities coupled with a quick-shifting transmission system delivers a superior driving experience full of adrenaline. The flat-bottom steering feels nice in hand with optimum control and response. 

It offers four drive modes: Tour, Sport, Snow and Track mode helps improve traction on slippery surfaces and ensures a satisfactory drive. The performance tuned suspension with magnetic dampers helps in keeping the ride supple while changing the damping behaviour in accordance to ride modes. The 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel discs with Brembo 6-piston and 4-piston calipers in the front and rear respectively brings the car to a complete stop from 60 MPH within 107-feet.

The Camaro ZL1 is the most powerful car of the lot. The 0-60 MPH times of all the cars in the comparison are within 4.0 seconds but the ZL1 steals the show. The Camaro ZL1 is not only fast but offers commendable braking performance as well, losing to only Ford Shelby GT350 in the braking test. The ZL1 can go up to a top speed of 202 MPH, which is just insane. However, with the 1LE package the handling and braking performance can be improved. 

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The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is a high performance car. So, we don’t expect it to be very fuel efficient. It offers 14 MPG in the city, 20 MPG on the highway and 16 MPG in combined driving conditions. With a fuel tank capacity of 19 gallons, it can offer about 304 miles of range on a full tank of gas which is just about acceptable for a car in its segment.

The Mercedes-AMG C63 is equipped with a smaller fuel tank but offers higher fuel efficiency. It is the range king in the comparison. The muscle rivals of the Camaro ZL1 offer same fuel efficiency in combined driving conditions. However, owing to a larger fuel tank, the Camaro ZL1 offers better range than both its arch rivals in mixed driving conditions. 

“The front seat is clearly the place to be in the Chevy Camaro. Don't get stuck in the back or expect to carry people or cargo.”- The Car Connection

The 2020 Camaro ZL1 can accommodate up to four passengers. It comes in 2+2 configuration with a 2-door coupe body. The cabin area is modern and sporty. The powered and climate-controlled front seats are Recaro made performance seats with Jet Black leather appointments and red accents, offering decent support. The outward visibility is not great though, thanks to thick pillars and higher window sills. The dashboard is ergonomic and the infotainment touchscreen is placed in the center with circular air conditioning vents just below it. 

The center console extends up to the rear seats. The rear seats are best suited for kids and lack adequate headroom, legroom and comfort. The ZL1 offers dual-zone climate control system, wireless charging, heads-up display and sport alloy pedals for added convenience. The ZL1 clearly focuses on performance rather than practicality. The trunk space of just 9.1 cu-ft is not much usable and its access shape is weird as well  

The 2020 ZL1 offers less headroom, shoulder room and legroom across the second row. The competitors are not sufficient with interior space and trunk space but better than the ZL1. The Dodge Challenger offers the best cargo capacity and rear row legroom in the comparison making it very practical and comfortable as well. The Mercedes-AMG C63 comes with more luxurious interior and provides better comfort than the Camaro ZL1. 

The 2020 Camaro ZL1 comes with one of the most intuitive and easy to use infotainment systems. Powered by Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus system, the 8-inch HD touchscreen is responsive. It supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well. Some features like WiFi hotspot with 4G LTE, SiriusXM with 360L and Chevrolet Connected Access with 10-years of connectivity is commendable. The 9-speaker Bose premium audio system ensures a crisp and clear musical experience. Some of the standout interior features are: 

• Dual-zone climate control system 
• Heads-up display 
• Recaro made performance seats
• Climate controlled front seats 
• 8.0-inch HD touchscreen display 
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 
• SiriusXM with 360L 
• 4G LTE WiFi hotspot 
• 9-speaker Bose premium audio system

“From the outside, the Chevrolet Camaro Zl1 1LE is a caricature of what a performance car should be.”- Motor1

The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 looks better than ever. The front fascia imbibes sleek projector style halogen headlamps with daytime running lamps. The front black grille is very much a part of the bumper and gets the ‘ZL1’ branding. Even the Chevrolet bow-tie emblem is covered in black. The hood is short unlike other muscle cars and the scoop on it promotes better cooling while looking stylish.

 The side profile is reminiscent of other muscle cars and its retro framework is backed with a lot of modern customization options. The 20-inch dark-graphite painted aluminium alloy wheels look menacing. With many alloy options, body-color hood vents, and vibrant paint options like Hyper Blue and Garnet Red, the ZL1 is surely eye-catchy. The rear profile gets aggressive tail lamps and sport spoiler for better aerodynamics while quad exhaust tips look sporty. 

The 2020 Camaro ZL1 comes with a balanced set of exterior dimensions. It has a lower height and ground clearance as compared to the competition. The Dodge Challenger comes with a boat-like body and is longer, taller and sits on a longer wheelbase with higher ground clearance. The Ford Shelby GT350 coupe sits on a shorter wheelbase while being lighter as well. Some of the standout exterior features are: 

• Projector-type halogen headlamps 
• Rear sport spoiler
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Dark tinted tail lamps
• Quad stainless steel exhausts with polished tips

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The Camaro has been highly appreciated by federal authorities for its performance during crash tests. It received a five-star overall rating by the NHTSA and the highest grade of 'Good' in most crash tests by the IIHS. However, the ZL1 trim has not been tested by both agencies but we expect similar results.

 You can be certain the Camaro ZL1 will do its best to keep the occupants safe. It gets many safety features listed that come standard as well. Although the driver aids are limited, they do well to keep the car tamed and warn the person behind the wheel way ahead of any possible collision. Some of the standout safety features include:

• Rear cross traffic alert 
• Rear park assist 
• Teen driver technology 
• Forward collision alert 
• Lane change alert with side blindzone alert 
• Theft deterrent system

2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat 

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is more powerful than the Camaro ZL1. It offers better cargo capacity and interior space as well. It can accommodate up to five passengers. The Camaro on the other hand looks more sharp and aerodynamic. 

The Camaro outruns the Challenger with its driving dynamics. It can easily cut corners without compromising on speed. So, if you are buying a muscle for the sheer pleasure of driving then the Camaro is your car.

2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2020 Ford Shelby GT350

The Ford Shelby GT350 matches everything the Camaro ZL1 except for raw power. The Camaro is a mind-boggling 125 horsepower more than what the GT350 offers. Other than power, both cars are evenly matched in terms of fuel economy. The GT350 offers more cargo volume which makes the Shelby more sensible.

The Shelby suffers from the same jampacked rear seats which are not habitable for adults. Both Shelby and Camaro are decent with a similar price tag. However, we would recommend the Camaro for its sheer power.

2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2020 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe 

The Mercedes-AMG C63 is not a muscle car and is less powerful than the Camaro ZL1. However, it offers very similar performance. It is also more fuel efficient than the Camaro ZL! While offering better interior space and cargo capacity as well.

The Camaro is priced less than the C63 but offers more for less. The interior quality of the Mercedes-AMG C63 is unmatched and offers better comfort as well. However for the sheer performance and lower price we would pick the Camaro ZL1.

The 2020 Camaro ZL1 is a modern looking muscle car that can give some well established supercars a run for their money. It offers road scraping performance with good handling and adrenaline rush. It lacks adequate interior space and cargo capacity. However, with an intuitive infotainment system, performance and safety features it does make a strong point for itself at its price point.

2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Which Camaro is more powerful-the SS or ZL1?

The Camaro SS comes with a toned-down version of the supercharged 6.2L V8, producing 455 hp. However, it is the ZL1 that packs in a Corvette-derived LT4 V8. It is much more powerful than the SS, with a whopping 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.

What does the ZL1 stand for?

A common rumor among classic muscle car enthusiasts is that the 'ZL1' stands for 'Zero Latency 1'. As in, there is no latency when you press down on the pedal and you get an immediate response from the V8 engine. This is not the true story, though. The ZL1 was simply an alphanumeric designation given to Camaros that were fitted with the aluminum-block Corvette engines. 

Is the Camaro ZL1 supercharged?

Yes, the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro has a supercharged 6.2L V8 under the hood. It is the same engine that you would find on a Z06 Corvette. The supercharger is part of GM's LSA powertrain. It has a 1.9L capacity and is driven from the engine's crankshaft.

How fast can the Camaro ZL1 go?

The Camaro ZL1 can cover a quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds from a standstill. Within that time, it can reach 125 mph. On an open road, the Camaro ZL1 can easily reach a top speed of 202 mph.