The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, equipped with a supercharged V-8 engine, was unveiled Wednesday at the Chicago?Auto?Show.
The new version of the Camaro, whose name is borrowed from a 1960s all-aluminum racing engine, won’t arrive in showrooms until the start of next year. It aims to take on Ford Mustang’s most powerful model, the Shelby GT500.
No price was announced, but General Motors Co. made a point of trying to distinguish the new Camaro from existing ones. GM said it looks different and has a new suspension that delivers “track-ready” handling, a six-speed high-performance manual transmission, and huge brakes made by Brembo, a high-performance parts supplier.
Here’s what’s new:
POWER: 6.2-liter V-8 supercharged engine, 550 horsepower.
SPEED: Nothing released. Cadillac CTS-V, with same engine, goes from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 191 mph.
MILEAGE: Not released. Cadillac CTS-V with manual transmission gets 14 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway.
LOOKS: New front grille and hood designed for aerodynamics. Hood has carbon fiber center section with a black finish. Car has 20-inch wheels and sporty exhaust tips.
CHEERS: The machine is fast, featuring lots of advanced engine technology. It will turn heads. Looks tougher and faster than the standard Camaro.
JEERS: Gas mileage won’t be that great, especially if pump prices are even higher when the car comes out.
