To say we were a bit disappointed last week that Chevrolet did not reveal any news on the Camaro during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan would be an understatement. GM instead let Buick and others shine during the show, and while it wasn’t what Camaro fans had hoped for, sometimes you gotta let your siblings share the spotlight.
We were hoping to see a ZL1, Z28, or at the very least a 1LE package debut in Detroit. It seems that we may get a second shot at that at the Chicago Auto Show in about two weeks. Left Lane News recently reported that while GM will show off some mid-cycle refreshes to other models at the Chicago show, the Camaro will also receive something of significance.
The 1LE package is rumored to return in Chicago, and with it the corner crushing capability at a blue collar price that the name stands for. The fifth-gem 1LE was no disappointment, running toe to toe with Ford’s track prepped Boss 302, for a lower price tag (typically less than $4,000 over a standard SS). We’re curious if the 1LE can go head to head with the new GT350 in the corners despite the Camaro’s 60-plus horsepower deficit over the new Shelby. If it proves a worthy competitor, Chevrolet will not only have another winning package on its hands, but a viable and affordable alternative to the expensive GT350.
GM was showing off Camaro upgrades at the SEMA show, it's reasonable to think some of these could make their way onto a new 1LE.
No official details of the 1LE have been released, but we expect the package will include upgraded wheels and tires, suspension tweaks in the form of heavier duty sway bars as well as possibly stiffer springs and revised dampers. The 1LE will likely also receive a few appearance tweaks, that while subtle, will make it stand out from the crowd. We wouldn’t complain if it also includes some type of brake upgrade to, six-piston front brakes shared with the CTS-V.
With no official word out of GM yet, we’ll have to wait another two weeks to get confirmation however, Chicago could turn out to be very exciting for Camaro fans who love to turn corners.