Photos: GM

Ever since the ZL1 Camaro first came onto Chevy fans’ radar, the questions have all been about the numbers: How much horsepower and torque? How quick will it lap the Nurburgring? And of course, how quick will it be in the quarter mile, and what will it cost?

We finally have answers to those last two questions (and a bunch more) thanks to the latest information from GM, where among other pieces of information, the ZL1 is compared to competitors not from these United States, but brands like Audi, Mercedes, and even Maserati.

“With 0 to 60 taking less than four seconds, and a top speed in excess of 180 MPH, the power and acceleration of the Camaro ZL1 rivals many supercars,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “And, horsepower is only half of the story, as the most significant measurement of the ZL1’s potential is lapping the Nurburgring in 7:41.27. That is a great testament to the power, braking, grip, and balance of the Camaro ZL1, and to the well-rounded performance of the ZL1 that sets the bar for the sports-car segment.”

GM is quoting a 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds for the manual trans ZL1, and 3.9 for the automatic, with quarter mile times of 12.1 at 119 MPH and 12.0 at 119 respectively. The stick car is given a listed top speed of 180 MPH, while the automatic is rated at 184 – interesting, because both versions carry the same horsepower numbers and presumably the same coefficient of drag, so the difference may be attributable to more favorable high speed gear ratios in the automatic.

With news of a new, 650 horsepower Shelby GT500 on the way for 2013, the ZL1 is immediately behind the curve in horsepower “at the brochure,” but GM is quick to point out that they’re winning the content war (at least against the 2012 GT500):

While the Mustang chassis team has done an amazing job getting a three-link solid rear axle to perform like something other than a three-link solid rear axle, the Camaro’s independent rear suspension and third generation Magnetic Ride system gives the ZL1 a better place to start from, in terms of handling. “Traditional suspension systems at some point compromise ride quality for road-holding grip and body control,” said Oppenheiser. “With Magnetic Ride Control, we can offer customers the best of both worlds: A comfortable ride that makes the ZL1 appropriate as a daily driver and the incredibly precise body control that makes the ZL1 so enjoyable on the track.”

So what does your $54,995 MSRP (not including the $900 delivery fee) buy you? Leather seating surfaces with suede microfiber inserts and heated, powered-adjustable front seats, a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, and rear-park assist with a rear-view camera display integrated in the center rear-view mirror are all standard. Just six options are on the menu:

• Six-speed automatic transmission with TapShift controls is $1,185
• 20-inch, bright aluminum wheel package is $470
• Power sunroof is $900
• Stripe package is $470
• Exposed-weave carbon fiber hood insert is $600
• The suede package, including suede microfiber accents on the steering wheel, shift knob, and shift boot is $500

The coupe will hit showrooms in the spring as a 2012 model, with the ‘vert arriving in time for summer as a 2013 – pricing on the drop top is still TBA.