Car and Driver 1LE review

[NoynuR]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review

Note to Chevrolet: There are some things about the ’80s that aren’t worthy of nostalgia. The era’s pony cars, by and large, fall under this umbrella. It’s true that Ford has the five-point-oh—a designation fairly soaked in Aqua Net, yet perhaps the only thing about the decade’s Stangs worth revisiting—but when it named its latest track-oriented model, it resurrected “Boss.” First appearing in 1969, Boss is cool. It’s a little intimidating, and it’s also Bruce Springsteen’s nickname. It sounds bad-ass. Chevrolet’s 1LE? For the 17 people who were paying attention in 1988, it conjures memories of an option bundle that only made that year’s Camaro less bad. To the rest of us, it sounds like three randomly selected characters.

Although it still seems as though the designation had been plucked from an alphanumeric bingo bucket, 1LE has new significance for 2013 as an option package for manual-transmission Camaro SS models. It brings a host of upgrades ported from or inspired by the mighty ZL1. The pieces that make the most difference fall into the latter category, however, including the front anti-roll-bar mounting setup, 10-by-20-inch front wheels and 11-by-20-inch rears, and beefier half-shafts. The equipment pilfered directly from the ZL1 includes wheel bearings, toe links, rear shock mounts, the fuel pump, the flat-bottom steering wheel, the short-throw six-speed manual and its transmission cooler, and 285/35-20 Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G: 2 tires all around (the ZL1 gets 305/35-20 rubber at the rear). The beefy wheel-and-tire combo actually saves a total of 22 pounds of unsprung weight.

The 1LE package also comes with a shorter final-drive ratio of 3.91:1 versus the 3.45:1 rear end in the SS and adds monotube rear dampers—instead of the SS’s twin tubes—and a strut-tower brace. As for externals, Chevy engineers tell us that even though the 1LE’s splitter increases downforce in the front, the wider wheels generate enough lift to bring the 1LE right back in line with the SS. Out back, the SS’s lip spoiler carries over to 1LE cars.

Character Study

The 1LE exceeds its status as an option package in that it truly changes the character of the SS—and we’re not talking about the matte-black hood. (It’s a wrap, and it looks unfinished.) The difference becomes apparent when you throw the Camaro 1LE into a corner. Where the SS understeers, the 1LE darts toward apexes. The Camaro still feels like a behemoth—that problem is deeply rooted in its squinty greenhouse and a curb weight we estimate at 3900 pounds—but the newfound eagerness scrubs away its greatest dynamic flaw. The electronic power-steering system (standard on all SS models and shared with the ZL1) is a fine representative of the breed, with a progressive weighting and natural feel. The 1LE doesn’t represent as comprehensive a revision as does its direct competitor, the Boss 302, but neither is it quite as expensive.

For 2013, both the SS and 1LE equipped with manual transmissions offer a dual-mode exhaust system like that on the ZL1, where baffles open under increased load. The car we drove had it, and we wouldn’t recommend any Camaro owner try to live without it. For such a dramatically shaped vehicle, the SS sounds kind of wimpy. This exhaust gives the car more of the tympanic-membrane-shredding roar that makes the Corvette such an aural treat.

The 1LE’s sub-$40,000 starting point represents a premium of about 10 percent over the SS’s base sticker. For buyers whose Camaros will ever see track duty—or a 10Best-winning Boss 302 on a twisty road—it’s an investment in your own happiness. The 1LE name might not hark to the muscle-car heyday, but the car on which it’s affixed is good enough to make us remember an ’80s footnote a little more fondly.

[DanSS24]

Sorry, don't really get what the writer was trying to convey. Did he like it or not, was it a competitor for the Boss or Boss LS? I wish they would just use regular english.

[BiG_TiMe]

eh too much to read i'll wait for a video

[jaysonstuart]

I can tell you from the first paragraph he hates the name. And for the most part I have to agree, I mean wtf is a 1LE? I'm sure it stands for something but it's not exactly the name of a special edition camaro that jumps out at you.

[zogster]

Review said pretty much nothing except that it handles better than the SS, which we already knew would be the case.

[Bhobbs]

So the car handles better with the new suspension and it sounds better with the new dual mode exhaust. It took someone writing and article to tell us what we already knew. Why not some numbers on what it can do around a track?

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by jaysonstuart

I can tell you from the first paragraph he hates the name. And for the most part I have to agree, I mean wtf is a 1LE? I'm sure it stands for something but it's not exactly the name of a special edition camaro that jumps out at you.

I'm pretty sure 1LE is just the order code, like Z28 or Z51. I don't think it stands for anything.

[DanSS24]

1LE= 1 Louder Exhaust.... kidding of course

[DanSS24]

I really don't care what they call it. I just know Chevy now has got 3 bass ass cars...SS, 1LE and ZL1. Now add another one and make a 4th...add the Z28.

[OUR72GTO]

I believe the Players Cars were 1LE but it was not per se an RPO. It started in 88.

[Pay2Play]

Originally Posted by DanSS24

I really don't care what they call it. I just know Chevy now has got 3 bass ass cars...SS, 1LE and ZL1. Now add another one and make a 4th...add the Z28.

They have a 4th: COPO

[fbodfather]

if one were to study the history of the Camaro - one would know the significance of the "1LE" moniker.

Yes-- we could have called it something else -- on the other hand, Camaro is a hallowed brand and it's appropriate to celebrate monikers from the past.

[DanSS24]

Originally Posted by Pay2Play

They have a 4th: COPO

You're right. ooops. Make it complete with the Z28 and we can call them the Camaro Fab Five.

[Ratchet]

Try as I might, I can't get past the hood wrap and the black wheels.

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

I love the wheels, hate the hood wrap. Would have to get an aftermarket hood if I got one.

[Blade]

Originally Posted by Scott@Bjorn3D

I love the wheels, hate the hood wrap. Would have to get an aftermarket hood if I got one.

Yep…I would much rather have the car with a black carbon fiber hood rather than that wrap.

[1LEE]

I love everything about the 1LE....

At first I wasn't sure about the hood wrap, but it has grown on me.

It helps set the car apart from lesser models

[meissen]

Originally Posted by jaysonstuart

... I mean wtf is a 1LE? I'm sure it stands for something but it's not exactly the name of a special edition camaro that jumps out at you.

... Dude, go educate yourself on Camaro history before you make ignorant comments like that. Did you know the Camaro existed before 2010?

[10forty2]

Originally Posted by jaysonstuart

........I mean wtf is a 1LE? I'm sure it stands for something but it's not exactly the name of a special edition camaro that jumps out at you.

The 1LE is mainly a suspension upgrade package that you can order on the SS. Originally, (I think) it was only a brake upgrade but became a suspension and gear upgrade to make the Camaro a better competitor in "Showroom Stock Car" racing. But again, it's an option package, not so much a special edition Camaro that jumps out at you.

And that flat black hood helps keep the glare down so you can concentrate on beating the Rustangs and Challys on the street course....

[KMK454]

Pretty weak article from C&D... I wonder if they even drove it and if so, how much seat time did they get? From what they wrote, it seems as though they were just expanding upon a press release. The only thing they really talked about was the dual mode exhaust which they could learn about from an SS.

I can't wait to see these in person, though. I'd love a white one...

Originally Posted by jaysonstuart

I can tell you from the first paragraph he hates the name. And for the most part I have to agree, I mean wtf is a 1LE? I'm sure it stands for something but it's not exactly the name of a special edition camaro that jumps out at you.

There were Camaros built not just in 67-69 and 2010-present, but also from 1970 to 2002. And some of those Camaros had some historical significance... 1LE is the most desirable Camaro option from 1988 to 1992. RPO 1LE ensured you had the highest output LB9 305 or L98 350 mated to the World Class Borg Warner T5 or 700R4 automatic, limited slip differential with the best rear end gearing, the beefiest suspension components available at the time, four wheel disk brakes with 12" rotors up front (not available on Z28s), engine oil cooler, optional radio delete, factory AC delete, and the N10 dual converter exhaust. Most came with factory radio delete. The 1LE continued into the 4th gen, but no longer was an AC-delete option.

Back in 1988, the 1LE and R7U package was made by GM to be a factory-ready track car for the Player's Challenge. Of course, 1LE triggered an AC delete on the 3rd gens. Also, you had to put a cage in and some other safety features before you could hit the track. Not all R7U Player's Challenge cars were 1LE, but after 1988, most had it because it was the "track ready" setup from GM...





Beautiful:


Note the SUNOCO on the fender:


Also SUNOCO on the fender:

[meissen]

Originally Posted by KMK454

There were Camaros built not just in 67-69 and 2010-present, but also from 1970 to 2002. And some of those Camaros had some historical significance... 1LE is the most desirable Camaro option from 1988 to 1992. RPO 1LE ensured you had the highest output LB9 305 or L98 350 mated to the World Class Borg Warner T5 or 700R4 automatic, limited slip differential with the best rear end gearing, the beefiest suspension components available at the time, four wheel disk brakes with 12" rotors up front (not available on Z28s), engine oil cooler, optional radio delete, factory AC delete, and the N10 dual converter exhaust. Most came with factory radio delete. The 1LE continued into the 4th gen, but no longer was an AC-delete option.

Back in 1988, the 1LE and R7U package was made by GM to be a factory-ready track car for the Player's Challenge. Of course, 1LE triggered an AC delete on the 3rd gens. Also, you had to put a cage in and some other safety features before you could hit the track. Not all R7U Player's Challenge cars were 1LE, but after 1988, most had it because it was the "track ready" setup from GM...

I wish more folks on here would recognize that.

[ORANGE U NV]

Originally Posted by jaysonstuart

I can tell you from the first paragraph he hates the name. And for the most part I have to agree, I mean wtf is a 1LE? I'm sure it stands for something but it's not exactly the name of a special edition camaro that jumps out at you.

I gotta agree, GM kinda dropped the marketing ball way back with identifying optional packages. Ford has used some very good names like Mach 1, Boss, California Special with Cobra Jets and Interceptor engines. Mopar had the Track Pack, Bumble Bee and the famed Hemi.

GM's hertitage is mostly confusing order codes. Like even the Z28 and when they use a good name like "Ram Air", they can't help but put a "WS6" badge on it. They had some memorial names like Trans Am and IROC... but sadly, even those names GM had to pay to use the rights to.

My point is GM makes really great cars and they suck at naming their special option packages with cool names. So that IS the GM heritage. I suppose it's only fitting to have random letters to special packages on a car that no one really knows where the name Camaro came from or what it means. Long live the Camaro and keep up the #%@-LS3/L99/LE1/ZL1 RPO'ing marketing.

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

if one were to study the history of the Camaro - one would know the significance of the "1LE" moniker.

Yes-- we could have called it something else -- on the other hand, Camaro is a hallowed brand and it's appropriate to celebrate monikers from the past.

Is there any possibility of making a new moniker so that maybe 50 years in the future, the Camaro can have a moniker based on what was made today?

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

So the car handles better with the new suspension and it sounds better with the new dual mode exhaust. It took someone writing and article to tell us what we already knew. Why not some numbers on what it can do around a track?

Exactly. What a waste of article. He also had the wrong information saying that it has the same manual transmission as the ZL1. It does not. I will be getting one even if every magazine in the world says it sucks. Kind of a boring read when you have a mediocre opinion. Also like others are saying, not smart to badmouth the name just cause you're too lazy to know Camaro history. True Camaro fans appreciate it being called 1LE and more than 17 people have heard of it contrary to what this loser is saying. Exhibit A-this thread and others on this site.

[Nessal]

If they can really keep this sub 40k, I think they got a winner.