VIDEO: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Does A 7:41 Around The 'Ring, Does It REALLY Matter Though?

I ask this because there are fanbois out there that no matter what this car and brand accomplishes, it will always be put down and have dirt kicked in its face.

Even though a 7:41 is a helluva time by ANYONE's standards, it will be challenged for having a poorer interior or driving dynamics not comparable to "x car." And that's shameful, because all enthusiasts should love anything with wheels -- that's the true joy of motoring.

Don't get me wrong, it's interior will be poorer than other vehicles and it definitely won't have the same driving dynamics of a Porsche Turbo but that's because it isn't a Turbo. Even better, it doesn't cost the same.

With that said, even with an impressive lap time and a hulking LS9 powerplant -- that's been loved by many in the CTS-V -- does it matter at the end of the day?

Hell, I think I'd love to get a ZL1 just so I could deal with all of the naysayers...


Computational fluid dynamics, aero coefficients - almost sounds like rocket science, right? Watch how engineers spent more than 100 hours in the wind tunnel with the Camaro ZL1, improving downforce, handling and ultimately track times for the Camaro ZL1...




Watch as the 580-horsepower Camaro ZL1 carves up Nurburgring in 7:41.27 - bringing the Camaro neck and neck with the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Lamborghini Murciélago lap times.

The Camaro ZL1 used for the lap was a production-intent model, with no performance modifications, driven by Camaro Performance Engineer Aaron Link...

dlin - 11/12/2011 7:32:07 PM

+2 Boost

Congratulation Chevy.

Any performance matters. Guess a MFR who tests all cars there, yet none of them officially runs this fast? Maybe they will now with turbo engine.

Joe_Limon - 11/13/2011 11:48:47 AM

-1 Boost

Great job on the run! However I would have been a little more impressed if the Wind Tunnel had a conveyor belt floor to eliminate boundary layer effects.

uaw_lax - 11/13/2011 1:41:46 PM

-2 Boost

Just translate some of this sportiness into the upcoming Malibu and it just may be my next car.

MBCLS07 - 11/13/2011 6:11:59 PM

+2 Boost

The Camaro is great. It's also made by GM, so I won't be buying one. $$$ to GM=$$$ to UAW=$$$ to democrats=more spending=more $$$ borrowed from China and more taxes. No thanks.

MorePower - 11/15/2011 4:20:38 AM

+1 Boost

China invests in the US dollar because it is a stable currency. So by your definition, you do not want a stable US currency?

By the way, the deficit increased more under Bush, a Republican, due to his needless tax cuts that did not spur economic growth and the two wars that he got the USA embroiled in a few years ago, or don't you remember.

MorePower - 11/15/2011 4:22:30 AM

+1 Boost

Great time GM. I would have been better if you had put the Camaro on a diet as well!

MorePower - 11/15/2011 4:30:59 AM

+2 Boost

That car had slicks, not street tires installed.

85bmw745i - 11/15/2011 9:20:31 PM

+2 Boost

Why are all of the American cars using slicks to achieve their ring times. Why don't they use regular tires that come on the car like most of the others.