4 Features You’ll Love in the 2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1

Chevrolet’s classic pony car is getting its first complete overhaul since the company reintroduced the Camaro in 2010, and 2017 is the year of the debut. In addition, the new Camaro ZL1 is going to be the absolute top of the line, a new standard for a new generation of muscle cars. Here’s what to expect.

Incredible Power

The 2017 Camaro comes with three engine options. The first is a 2.0-liter turbo I4, which offers a potent 275 horsepower. On regular models, you can choose to upgrade to a 3.6-liter V6 with direct injection and up to 335 horsepower, a respectable figure for a six-cylinder engine. On the other hand, the Camaro ZL1 comes with the LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V8, an engine that offers an astonishing 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. No Camaro has ever had this much power, and even many 12-cylinder engines have trouble delivering this much raw power.

Two Transmission Options

For drivers who care about keeping the personal touch of a manual, the 2017 Camaro ZL1 offers a standard six-speed transmission. However, drivers who are more interested in seeing what modern technology has to offer can choose a 10-speed automatic, one which uses the added gears to provide a smoother acceleration and improve the Camaro’s fuel economy at the same time. Of course, paddle shifters also come standard with the automatic so that drivers can blend the efficiency of an automatic with the control of a manual.

The Function of Form

The ZL1 looks noticeably different compared to the rest of the new Camaro lineup, and it’s not just so the ZL1 can get all the dashing good looks. Chevrolet engineers made every single change with performance foremost in mind, such as the air extractor in the composite hood that draws heated air away from the engine, increases drag to keep the ZL1’s wheels planted firmly on the ground, and offers passersby a tantalizing glimpse of the massive powerhouse hidden underneath.

Other upgrades to the ZL1 body include a larger front grille for better airflow, outboard cooling ducts that direct air to the brakes, and even a specially modified Chevrolet badge that’s more aerodynamic than the usual one.

A Magnetic Ride

If the 2017 Camaro ZL1 feels lighter than it looks, that’s not just because it is (200 pounds lighter than the 2016 model, to be exact). It’s also because the ZL1 uses a special Magnetic Ride Suspension which stiffens the hydraulic fluid in the shocks so that the Camaro can brace better for corners. Thanks to MagneRide, the ZL1 can take corners like a rail-thin sports car and not the muscular 2+2 coupe that it is.

The only reason you might have to not want to buy a Camaro ZL1 is because the next year’s model is always even better than before. So if you’ve ever wanted to sit down behind the wheel of a real beast, a powerful coupe or convertible that proves we’re in the second age of the muscle car, then the 2017 Camaro ZL1 is a machine you’ll love.