2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE: Chevy’s Camaro SS replacement gains 4 big changes

Lighter and with more performance upgrades, the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is made for the track. Here's a closer look at the Camaro SS replacement.

Off the assembly line, modern muscle cars aren’t typically designed for the track. But powered by a 650-horsepower, supercharged LT4 engine backed by a six-speed manual and a long list of performance upgrades, Chevy’s new 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE plans to change that when it hits dealership later this year.

The most track-capable Camaro to date, the new ZL1 1LE finds racing-based suspension and aero technologies, as well as exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only tires, in an extreme track performance package, paired to Brembo brakes, including red calipers with the 1LE logo.

Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose premium audio system, heated/ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel.

2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE key specs & features include:

1 – Lighter by 60-pounds

To work those chicanes you need to drop by some weight. The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE shed 60-pounds via lighter wheels and dampers, along with reduced thickness rear glass and a fixed-back rear seat.

2 – New Camaro Wheels

New, lightweight forged aluminum wheels are an inch wider but an inch smaller in diameter, front and rear, than standard ZL1 wheels and are used with new Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires that deliver max lateral grip of 1.10g.

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE. Photo: Chevrolet

3 – Adjustable Suspension

completely race-driven, the new suspension features lightweight Multimatic DSSV dampers front and rear for additional wheel and vehicle control. The front-end ride height is adjustable with the front dampers, which are used with all-new, adjustable camber plates.

4 – Aerodynamics

Finally, there’s some upgraded styling, of course. This Camaro finds a carbon fibre rear wing, specific air deflectors, and dive planes on the front fascia producing grip-generating downforce to help the car stick harder and drive faster in turns.

Pricing for the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE hasn’t been released but expect more info this summer; with production models going on sale late 2017.

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE. Photo: Chevrolet
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