The Camaro ZL1 Is Damn Near As Fast As An M4 GTS Around The 'Ring
If there’s any car that’s responsible for kicking the whole ‘muscle cars* can’t turn’ mantra in the nethers, it’s the Camaro. The previous generation Z/28 and ZL1 both took some serious scalps at the Nurburgring, and now the current ZL1 has laid down an astonishing time at the Green Hell.
Its 7:29.60 lap is not just 11 seconds faster than the old ZL1, it’s also incredibly close to the stupidly expensive, stupidly focused M4 GTS, which belted out a 7:27.88 effort last year. Once the even more track-friendly Camaro arrives - the Z/28 - this ‘Murican institution stands a very good chance of beating the BMW.
So, what’s behind the speed? It’s mostly down to more power and less weight: we’re talking 640bhp from the ZL1’s 6.2-litre ‘LT4’ V8, and a 100kg drop.
(*Yes I know it’s technically a pony car, but us Brits are a little more liberal with the use of the term ‘muscle car’…)
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
proof that big american cars can go round corners :)
I feel enthusiastic like an 8-year old whenever I see the new Camaro. General Motors did it’s homework. Respect.
Well the 6th gen Camaro isn’t really big. its quite light compared to the previous gen
I still think its funny how people are still suprised how much better american cars are getting
Not only that thought, the guy wasnt even touching the paddles which speaks how goods that 10 speed auto is compared to other DCTs on the market
Even back in the 60s, the Trans-Am cars handled really good around corners, and still packed 500HP.
This sounds like a recipe for success…
And it’s what?, a quarter of the price?
Exactly! Stonking value for money. Now we just need a RHD version…
Who else is disappointed by the M4 GTS
Me. I was hugely disappointed by it…..Not least because of that diff…
even if 7:00.60 around the ring , american people still use this car just for drag racing
No we don’t
I don’t see anything wrong with that.
It’ would do that just fine too
Every once in a while I see something like this and think Chevrolet is actually a really great company all things considered
Ian Wright is british and he isn’t liberal with the term muscle car…
Just a litle faster than an Alfa. Almost as fast as a Carrera GT
Speaking of things called Alpha, GM has to be one of the chassis designers in the world with the Alpha platform.
i don’t think its a muscle car once it has the ability of turning.
Well, its a pony car car, and pony cars have always had some effort in cornering