Road and Track: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 - First Look

[blufin]

Has anyone noticed that the "red line" area seems to be different colors in different photos? In the early photos, the area just above 6100 rpm is red, but in the photos posted above by R&T, this area appears to be yellow. Is this possibly the integrated shift light I'm seeing, or is it just an optical illusion?

[PonyCrusher]

[QUOTE=Dragoneye;2986824]

And there is no shift light...that I've heard of.


in that article it says it will feature a shift light or indicator. maybe thats just speculation then idk

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by blufin

Has anyone noticed that the "red line" area seems to be different colors in different photos? In the early photos, the area just above 6100 rpm is red, but in the photos posted above by R&T, this area appears to be yellow. Is this possibly the integrated shift light I'm seeing, or is it just an optical illusion?

Optical illusion/Camera tricks, probably...the light may have hit it wrong....I'm 99% sure it's red.

Originally Posted by PonyCrusher

in that article it says it will feature a shift light or indicator. maybe thats just speculation then idk

You're right. I misread the article...completely passed over that line. Sorry about that!

[blufin]

I don't know... sure looks yellow in this one, as compared to the red/orange of the needle.
Where else would be a better spot for a shift light? Does the stang have it? Where?

[montej23]

I want the front end hood and spoiler

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by blufin

I don't know... sure looks yellow in this one, as compared to the red/orange of the needle.
Where else would be a better spot for a shift light? Does the stang have it? Where?

The ZL1's prime competition, the GT500, has a shift light. It's the SVT logo in the tach and it's been there since the 2007 model year.

[thePill]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Those Hurst numbers are a tick slower than some CTS-V results. I've read as low as 12.2 for the Caddy....now figure the ZL1 will have a slightly more free-breathing engine, wider tires, lighter weight, and now apparently it's getting GM's premier performance traction control system...

I'm not sure the ZL1 will be much faster than the CTS-V. I always believed that the CTS-V used 3.73 gears but according to Caddy's website http://www.cadillac.com/ctsVCoupe/2011/features-specs/ the 2011 CTS-V manual coupe uses a 4.15 final gear ratio. Another thing to remember too, 19 inch tires will put loads of torque to the ground fast. As far as I know, the CTS-V did not have traction problems with the 285's so with a 4.15 final gear ratio and a 26" diameter wheel/tire, the CTS-V will no doubt accelerate faster than the ZL1. The will be a 100lb difference though.

[CAI Inc]

Love it I was set on the V but not so sure now.

[Ron66Vette&10SS]

[QUOTE=PonyCrusher;2987894]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

And there is no shift light...that I've heard of.


in that article it says it will feature a shift light or indicator. maybe thats just speculation then idk

In one of the releases from GM/Chevy on the day of unveil, an integrated shift light was mentioned. Unless someone else gets it before me I'll post it up.

When I saw the pic of the tach I also assumed the yellow/amber red line was the shift light while illuminated.

[THE EVIL TW1N]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Thanks, guys!!



Those Hurst numbers are a tick slower than some CTS-V results. I've read as low as 12.2 for the Caddy....now figure the ZL1 will have a slightly more free-breathing engine, wider tires, lighter weight, and now apparently it's getting GM's premier performance traction control system...

Freer breathing? So your saying the zL1 is gonna have more than the 600hp that the hurst does? Also weight looks extremely similar to what a zL1 should come in at and the hurst comes with the same size tires the zL1 will come with (305/35/20 ps2). The hurst looks pretty close to what to expect from the zl1 I think.

[SummoneR]

Originally Posted by OldJedi

Maybe because I have a deposit on the ZL1 and Chevy built me the car exactly the way I would have built it, I am a little partial to the ZL1. My feeling is anytime an automobile manufacturer builds a car that fits 98% of the things that you are looking for in a car, then they built you the car you wanted. Honestly, I still can't get over all of the negatives on here about this car. Maybe it is something that I am missing because honestly, I simply do not see anything negative about the car, once I got over Chevy NOT calling it a Z28. This Camaro has so much technically advanced equipment and power of which ALL of it is geared to go fast and built to last, I truly can't understand all of the nitpicking and negative thoughts. So the car is almost 4000 lbs. It has always been almost 4000 pounds. Did you really expect them to add a S/C with 150HP, magnetic ride, HD transmission and rear end and expect it to lose weight. I mean really did you? The ZL1 will be an absolutely phenomenal car at a weight that it has always been. I am sure the next generation Camaro will be on more of a diet, but in the meantime, this this ZL1 Camaro has been brought back to wreak havoc on the world. One of my favorite car ads said: When you turn your car on, does it return the favor? This car will definitely turn you on when you fire it up. If it doesn't then, there really is NO hope for you. Just an old farts opinion.

[Punk_rider]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

No need to, I did this a few days ago but never got around to posting it....

I think it looks SOOOO much better...
Attachment 218639




I....don't see any copying. The flat-bottom steering wheel is a good design, and I'm glad they used it!

As far as the center and controls resembling the corporate wheel...I've used that wheel in the Equinox - and let me tell ya': those controls are VERY comfortable to use...combined with the smaller, thicker flat-bottom wheel, I'm REALLY looking forward to this steering wheel.

Well .. to me that's a Formula1/Ferrari/Audi/... like wheel (the flat base).

Besides, if the zl1 is supposed to be the "drag" version of the camaro ... who needs a flat base wheel? Who needs a wheel actually! I mean, i see it as an design being at the same time ugly (that's personal ... i hate Sparks ..), useless (c'mon ... is the camaro really lacking so much room that your knees would touch the wheel?) AND expensive.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by SummoneR

Add me

Originally Posted by Punk_rider

Well .. to me that's a Formula1/Ferrari/Audi/... like wheel (the flat base).

Besides, if the zl1 is supposed to be the "drag" version of the camaro ... who needs a flat base wheel? Who needs a wheel actually! I mean, i see it as an design being at the same time ugly (that's personal ... i hate Sparks ..), useless (c'mon ... is the camaro really lacking so much room that your knees would touch the wheel?) AND expensive.

If you mean drag race version, that is not what ZL1 is about. It's going to do everything great. You don't necessarily need the aero' tricks that ZL1 has given the speeds it would run down the 1320'. You wouldn't need bigger brakes, or brake cooling ducts, etc. ZL1 is meant to the be what ZR1 is for Corvette I believe it has a great amount of more relavent technology than the rest of the competition in it's segment, and it's not going to be the ZL-1 of the past - a one trick pony with a exotic engine. It will be the real deal

[ChallengerSRT]

I'm keeping low mileage on my SRT! Better trade in value for this beautiful rocket!