Chevy's Track Weapon

Balls-out Camaro ZL1 1LE a taste of things to come for Oz.

- Daniel Degasper

MERE weeks after Australia revealed its final tribute to local muscle in the form of the HSV GTSR W1, The General is throwing its weight around with this Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE.

No hard feelings, though, because this is one small (block) Trans-Pacific Partnership we want signed off right away. Chevy’s mental muscle coupe may be a mouthful – and sadly left-hook only for now (see breakout) – but the ZL1 1LE promises not to be a handful on a racetrack.

Since 1969 the ZL1 badge has been affixed to track-ready models, but the 1LE pack steps the focus up another notch. Enter its huge name for “the most track capable Camaro ever” developed, which drops weight, increases grip, adopts trick adjustable dampers and even adds aero, all primed to tear into the Mustang Shelby GT350R.

The 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine from the previously announced Camaro ZL1 is kept with the 1LE extension, and this decent wedge of Detroit Iron – or these days, aluminium – continues to produce a mighty 485kW at 6400rpm and a hefty 881Nm at 3600rpm.