[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by BLACK10

Have at it Dragoneye
I will, thank you.

i just think that it could have been better. for example, i think it should have a lowered stance. This is supposed to be THE camaro, why doesn't it have a race car stance even if it is magnetic ride? heck BMW's come with a great lowered stance, why not the ZL1?
It is lowered from the SS...and in person, I think it has a great stance - but I understand this is an opinion as valuable as yours.

NVH standards, and the MR system both effect what they can do from the factory in terms of overall ride height...and one must also consider things like ground clearance and the sheer size of the wheel/tires. It's not as simple as "dropping it".

The hood could have done without vents(even if they are functional) and i think they could have put more effort into the front fascia since GM has licensed the T2/T3 front ends and they have been out for a while now
The hood could NOT have done without the vents...you'll see why in time, I think. But suffice to say they are VERY functional and truly have an impact on the performance of the vehicle. In terms of aesthetics, the vents may not be everyone's cup 'o tea, but the ZL1 was not "designed", it was "engineered" to go fast (loose interpretations of the words to get the point across).

The effort into the fascia is evident...to me, anyways. It has a different profile than all other Camaros, so it cannot be snapped onto an SS/LT and look 'right'. It also omits the "dimples" apparent on the SS and Leno fascia, and includes a much more aggressive, integrated lower diffuser/"chin spoiler" leading to the lower air dam. Finally, I'm a HUGE fan of the Leno DRLs, but fact is - they're an unnecessary expense. Their usefulness can also be questioned, I think...

I'm sure the Leno fascia was tested in the wind tunnel along with many other prototypes...but I'd be willing to be the ZL1s outperformed it in every respect by a wide margin, leading to the decision that's been made.

Outside of those things, they're both very similar...and it seems apparent to me that one was designed to look good, and the other to perform. With that in mind...some companies have already produced their own T3/Leno Camaro-inspired fascias and hoods...wouldn't it be foolish to GM to factory-produce what others already are?

why aren't the gfx painted to match?
Because it adds to the racey aesthetic of the car by subtly highlighting these added, functional parts. It also decreases the "big" look of the car when you view it from the side.

The hoses under the hood look like Medusa's head. Another dropped ball in the hose routing department(i.e. our heater hoses across the engine). Take a real close look....see how they're directed down, and shot straight from the engine to the heat exchanger? That's to clear the vent shroud, and to lower weight/complexity/cost that would come with longer hoses just for the sake of 'looking pretty'.

It was not a dropped ball, but an conscious decision in the development of the car.

Personally, they don't bother me a bit...but I understand this is opinion, as well.


they had plenty of time to get this thing right to battle against the super snake
The Super Snake was never the target. And those it DOES target...will be put in their place soon enough.

and i feel like it was a hurried car and im not just talking about performance. You would be very wrong in this statement, to put it bluntly...the vehicle has been worked on since shortly after the Camaro SS was released in 2009. This can not be officially confirmed...but there was evidence and news reports of the 'Z28 program' being delayed multiple times since then. And of course -- it won't be out until next year...they're still testing and changing things.

"Rushed" is the least accurate word I can think of using with regards to the ZL1.


The first thing people are going to want to see on this car is under the hood, so why not present the LSA with a better engine bay?
Because the goal was not to 'look pretty', but to perform?

I think it looks as nice as any other engine bay...again, my opinion...but you've got to keep in mind this is no Ferrari, or Audi R8...


I sent the pics of the ZL1 to fellow camaro owners that are not on this site and hadn't seen either of these cars before and they felt the same way as me.

Well...I'm sorry to hear that, but pictures don't do it justice.

As I hovered near the car at the Camaro5Fest, I heard nothing but positive, breath-taken comments about it. And you'll find around here, there are a great number of people who love the look based just on pictures.

Wait and see, would be my best advice to you...some of your concerns will be put to rest when the car comes out...and others I'm cautiously optimistic will fade away as the vehicle grows on you.