Surprise! About every automotive publication on the net anticipated the return of the Camaro Z28, but instead, it’s the ZL1 moniker that gets a resurrection.
Hey, wait a minute. SLP Performance Parts, maker of the Camaro ZL585 we tested a couple of months ago, is already selling a version of the sports coupe wearing the mighty ZL1 badge.
First of all, the biggest and most important difference between the SLP ZL1 and GM’s factory ZL1 is the size of the stable underhood. SLP’s version packs 750 horsepower, thanks to its 427-cubic-inch (or 7-litre) supercharged V8. The 2012 Camaro ZL1 gets, ahem, only 550 horsepower via the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 it shares with the Corvette ZR1 and the Cadillac CTS-v.
The SLP ZL1 is a 2011 model, and only 69 copies will be built, just like the original ’69 ZL1. Since there will be no 2012 SLP version and GM’s factory Camaro ZL1 introduced at the Chicago auto show will be on sale next year, there will be no sales overlap between the two beasts. By the way, about a third of the SLP car’s production has already been sold.
SLP actually sees the arrival of GM’s version as a good thing, stipulating that their version of the ZL1 will gain more value and hold it longer. After all, it does flaunt 200 more ponies. Oh, and SLP’s ZL560 and ZL585 models are more powerful than GM’s 2012 ZL1.
There will be a difference in price, though, as the SLP Camaro ZL1 costs close to $100K. GM’s Camaro ZL1 will probably be priced very competitively with Ford’s Shelby GT500, so figure about $50K in the US and $60K in Canada.
Hey, wait a minute. SLP Performance Parts, maker of the Camaro ZL585 we tested a couple of months ago, is already selling a version of the sports coupe wearing the mighty ZL1 badge.
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| SLP ZL1 (Photo: SLP Performance Parts) |
First of all, the biggest and most important difference between the SLP ZL1 and GM’s factory ZL1 is the size of the stable underhood. SLP’s version packs 750 horsepower, thanks to its 427-cubic-inch (or 7-litre) supercharged V8. The 2012 Camaro ZL1 gets, ahem, only 550 horsepower via the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 it shares with the Corvette ZR1 and the Cadillac CTS-v.
The SLP ZL1 is a 2011 model, and only 69 copies will be built, just like the original ’69 ZL1. Since there will be no 2012 SLP version and GM’s factory Camaro ZL1 introduced at the Chicago auto show will be on sale next year, there will be no sales overlap between the two beasts. By the way, about a third of the SLP car’s production has already been sold.
SLP actually sees the arrival of GM’s version as a good thing, stipulating that their version of the ZL1 will gain more value and hold it longer. After all, it does flaunt 200 more ponies. Oh, and SLP’s ZL560 and ZL585 models are more powerful than GM’s 2012 ZL1.
There will be a difference in price, though, as the SLP Camaro ZL1 costs close to $100K. GM’s Camaro ZL1 will probably be priced very competitively with Ford’s Shelby GT500, so figure about $50K in the US and $60K in Canada.
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| Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2012 (Photo: General Motors) |