2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

With a sticker price of $62,995, the 2020 Camaro ZL1 is a sports coupe with a crazy V8 engine. There is two transmission option with a 6-speed stick shift taking the lead, another 10-speed automatic transmission comes optional. The transmission sends the V8's 650 horsepower and 650-pound feet of torque to the rear wheels of the Camaro. All this makes the Camaro ZL1 easily compete with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren. 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 fitted with a Supercharged V8 engine mated to a 6-speed stick shift gearbox and launch control. Throw in the 1LE performance package and you will upgrade your Camaro with features like a carbon fiber hood and spoiler, race-oriented suspension dampers, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

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

“Even with a smaller V6 engine, the Camaro is a surprisingly competent sports/muscle car. The performance gap between the V8 is shrinking, especially when it comes to handling. It's lively, inspires confidence and, above all, it's fun. And with a car like this, that's the whole point”- Edmunds

American muscles have always been about big guns.The bigger the engine, the more macho the driver. The ZL1 is carefully fitted with a 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine backed by a 6-speed manual transmission. The engine is derived from the Z06 Corvette. Therefore, ZL1 is tuned to muster a flabbergasted 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The stick shift transmission boasts short throws and is equipped with rev-matching downshifts. An optional 10-speed automatic is also part of the ZL1 lineup.

The dual-mode exhaust releases thundering pops and crackles as if Zeus himself was driving the Camaro. The suspension is tuned perfectly and doesn’t let the gargantuan power take over the control. The power delivery is smooth and the accelerator is ready to punch in that torque to the rear wheels of the ZL1 at the behest of the driver.

Acceleration

The V8 engine is crazy on the SS but this 650-horsepower rebel goes all berserk as you put the pedal to the metal. The Camaro rockets into the tarmac better than the wildest sports car you have known. The launch control makes it's even better. The ZL1 makes the 0 to 60 mph test in just 3.5 seconds. And when it comes to a drag race, which is a pure muscle car territory, the Camaro hits the quarter-mile light in just 11.4 seconds. The performance remains unchallenged by other muscle cars in the category.

Ride and Handling

ZL1 is the ultimate Super Saiyan of all Camaros ever built. The muscle maniac's unquenched hunger for power will surely be satisfied for good. However, the car’s agility is not compromised with a higher power. The Camaro ZL1 is still nimble when you want it to be and has a great center of gravity. The car cuts corners like a hot knife through butter and overpowers any car in its way. The quick-shifting gears reach their full potential only with a badass driver.

There are 3 modes available, Tour, Sport, Snow, and Track mode which is exclusive to the ZL1 and SS trims. If we talk about suspension we have a performance-tuned suspension with magnetic dampers and an electronic limited-slip differential which keeps the ride composed. The flat-bottom steering feels nice in hand with optimum control and response. The road feedback is fair as it's built more like a sports car in a muscle car shell. Everything on the ZL1 is amplified on the Track mode where the actual wildness comes.

Braking

Braking on the normal Camaro is acceptable and you can very well keep it as a daily driver, but the ZL1 is no ordinary muscle. This is the reason why Chevy installed 6-piston front and 4-piston rear Brembo brakes on the ZL1. The pedal feels stiff and confident, the kind appreciated on a 600-plus horsepower muscle car. During hard braking, the car halts from the speed of 60 mph in 107 feet, which is a stride more than what other muscle cars perform.

With an appetite similar to a full-sized hippo, the Camaro ZL1 is a constant sight at the gas station. With a tank capacity of 19 gallons, the ZL1 won't save you a dollar in the name of fuel economy. You should expect that of a powerful V8, after all. Compared to other muscle cars in the US market, its numbers are just baout average. In the city, you can expect 14 mpg and on the highway it expands to 20 mpg. The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro Zl1 delivers a combined mileage of 16 mpg.

“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

Seating and Comfort

The exterior’s retro-modernized persona leaks into the interior design as well. There are a lot of elements with strong styling like the steering wheel, dash, and odd placement of AC vents, all with the aggression of a pony car. The features list is rich but the placement is not that smart. It will take a few trials before being completely acquainted with all features and buttons. There are standard Recaro seats since which is pretty much standard for any muscle car, though the height makes you think that they were designed with taller people in mind. Then you have the telescopic steering wheel which feels good and can be tilt-adjusted to secure the ideal driving position. Driving the Camaro ZL1 can be distracting, yet the gauge cluster and steering wheel remain well within view.

The front of the cabin is cozy but feels packed due to the rebellious styling. You get 38.5 inches of headroom, 55-inch shoulder room, and 43.9 inches of legroom in the front. The rear cabin is not sensible, there is barely any legroom for an adult, it’s a good thing if you have children otherwise Camaro kills practicality with the rear seats.

Infotainment

The Camaro gets a new Sync3 Plus infotainment system that boasts an 8.0-inch touchscreen. The new infotainment is easy to use and responsive but the odd angle limits accessibility. Smartphone Integration features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard for both 1SS and 2SS. The navigation system has been simplified for better use on the ZL1.

Interior Features

• Premium Carpeted Floor Mattress
• Dark Night Interior Spectrum Lighting
• Premium Carpeted Floor Mats w/1LE Performance Logo
• Cargo Net
• Sport Pedals Kit
• Red Interior Trim Kit
• Illuminated Sill Plates
• Black Suede Knee Pads
• Black Interior Trim Kit
• All-Weather Floor Mats
• Black Interior Appearance Package
• Recaro Performance Front Bucket Seats

Cargo volume

Being practical is where ZL1 hits a dead end. Same as with the rear seats, there is no space in the cargo compartment even by the muscle car standards. The 9.1 cubic feet is less than most muscle cars in the segment. Things get worse with the sub-par cabin utility, we would suggest not to carry a lot of personal belongings in the Camaro. But hey, you can always use the rear seats for carrying some extra stuff. In terms of luggage capacity, the Dodge Challenger is well-rounded with its giant 16.4 cubic feet trunk.

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

Design and Styling

The jump from 5th to 6th generation was a bold move and the 2020 ZL1 goes to the extreme with a fresh front and rear fascia, more aerodynamic body, a new hood scoop, and more details visible with a closer look. The design is still inspired by the late ’60s, and it’s better than ever. The wide grille and huge muscles look like the Camaro is high on a protein shake. It's good that the retro framework is backed with a lot of modern customization options. There is an army of alloy options on the Camaro and choice for body-color hood vents, and vibrant paint options like Hyper Blue, and Garnet Red.

Dimensions and Weight

The hood looks a little short for Muscle car standard, the result of 188 inches of total length. As for the width and height, they are rated at 74.7 and 53 inches. Away from the Challenger’s boat-like body, the Camaro kept it compact resulting in its 110.7 inches of wheelbase. Be prepared for a wider turning radius while maneuvering the SS though.

Exterior Features

• 20" Dark Graphite premium paint, forged aluminum wheels with summer-only tires
• Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G:2 285/30R20 front and 305/30R20 rear, summer-only tires
• Front intermittent wipers
• ZL1 rear spoiler
• Body-color heated, driver-side auto-dimming power outside mirrors
• Tire inflator kit

The Camaro has been highly appreciated by federal authorities for its performance during a crash. It received a five-star overall rating by the NHTSA and the highest grade of 'Good' in most crash tests by the IIHS. You can be certain the Camaro will do its best to keep the occupants Scott-free during a crash. There are a lot of 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 safety features include:

• Electronic Parking brakes
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with traction control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual-Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Airbags
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Daytime Running Lamps, LED
• Dual-Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• OnStar & Chevrolet Connected Services capable
• Teen Driver System
• Rear Park Assist
• Forward Collison Warning
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts
• High-Definition Back-Up Camera

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Vs Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The Camaro’s longtime rival the Dodge Challenger is giving it a run for its money. The price might be the same but the Challenger is more muscle than the Camaro and we are not just talking about its retro body. The Camaro is powered by fewer horses which clearly gives Dodge an edge in a drag race. The Challenger is a bigger car offering more space and practicality, so it might just be a better choice as a daily driver. Then again, the Camaro far outruns the Challenger with its driving dynamics. It can easily cut corners without compromising much speed. So, if you are buying a muscle for the sheer pleasure of driving without thinking about practicality then Camaro is your car.

Ford Shelby GT350 Vs Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

A blast from the past, Ford won’t let Chevy and Dodge take the lead on this one. 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 Ford kept reserved for the Shelby. 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. In such a case, we would recommend the Camaro for its sheer power.

The Chevy Camaro used to be an iconic muscle car though the modern-day Camaro is mutated to a Sports car. Yes, it has flexed its muscles to be more nimble and shaped for optimum aerodynamic just to harness the insane power. The fire breathing V8 engine conjures 650 horses pulling this godly chariot which will impress a lot of pony car fans.

However, the days of power dominating ride quality are long gone and the Camaro agrees, rather than the brute strength Chevy focused more on the experience. But power takes a toll on Camaro’s economy. The rear seats and cargo volume isn’t that impressive either. Nevertheless, no muscle purist can resist the ZL1’s power. It’s probably the best car in the holy trinity of American muscle cars.

FAQs

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. It first started in 1969 with an Illinois dealer, Fred Gibb, who leveraged the COPO system since he was fitting in Corvette's 427 engines inside the Yenko Camaros. It was 100 pounds lighter and produced more power. COPO simply designated all such cars as ZL1.

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 198 mph.