13 seconds. That’s how much faster Chevrolet’s new 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE is ’round the Nurburgring over the original ZL1. General Motors has officially released a scarcely believable lap time of 7:16.04, the 14th fastest time set by a production car on the “Green Hell”.
Seeking the ultimate track-ready pony car, Chevrolet took the Camaro ZL1 to the limit by shedding more weight, fitting an advanced Formula One inspired suspension, and installing a monstrous aerodynamic package. Although the ZL1 1LE utilizes the same 650-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V8 LT4 found in the ZL1, it’s now mated to a standard 6-speed manual transmission as opposed to the famous Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic.
Thanks to the Multimatic spool-valve dampers and aggressive aerodynamics, the 1LE is able to keeps its sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires planted through all of the bumps and whoops the Nurburgring has to offer. Remarkably, the ZL1 1LE is able to reign in all of this terrifying speed with the same Brembo brakes found on the standard ZL1 as opposed to the top tier carbon-ceramic brakes commonly found on track-oriented supercars it outpaces.
Speaking of competition, the Camaro ZL1 1LE’s amazing 7:16:04 places it ahead of far more exotic cars like the Maserati MC12, Pagani Zonda, Lamborghini Aventador, and Ferrari Enzo. It even outruns its older brother, the C6 ZR1, by 3 seconds. Also, for you die-hard GM fans, take pride in knowing that the ZL1 1LE walked away from the Shelby Mustang GT350R with a healthy 16.15 second lead.
At an MSRP of $69,995, Chevrolet’s Camaro ZL1 1LE is a ridiculous value, and this Nurburging lap time confirms that it’s the giant slayer we wanted it to be.