Video: Camaro ZL1 Designed For Downforce

It was only a matter of time before Chevrolet came up with an answer for the current muscle car king, the Shelby GT500. Chevy did not disappoint with the 580 horsepower Camaro ZL1, a monster muscle car that we don’t doubt used the Shelby as a measuring stick. With all that horsepower, the 4,100 pound ZL1 can reach a top speed of 170 MPH. That’s really fast, and requires a special degree of aerodynamics to maintain stability.GM has posted Phase 4 of their Camaro ZL1 series on YouTube, and it is all about the aerodynamic work that went into making the fastest, most powerful Camaro ever.

The objective of the Camaro ZL1 aerodynamic improvements were to improve lift performance to get it to be as neutral as possible, and perhaps even find some downforce without inducing excess drag. Downforce means better handling, simple as that, and the man in charge was Tom Froling, a retired F16 pilot. This man knows aerodynamics.

Whereas the standard Camaro produces 200 pounds of lift at 150 MPH, the ZL1 produces 65 pounds of downforce. Some of the tricks GM used to improve the aerodynamic balance were a front splitter and a hood heat extractor. The front fender bumper comes out farther to reduce drag on the wheels, and improve air flow to the brakes. The ZL1 even has special rockers to improve air flow, all of which go a long way towards stabilizing this brute at high speeds. GM has posted the full extent of their aerodynamic improvements on their website and one thing is for sure; the Shelby team over at Ford has their work cut out for them if they want to keep up.

About the author

Chris Demorro

Christopher DeMorro is a freelance writer and journalist from Connecticut with two passions in life; writing and anything with an engine.
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