http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...CAGO/110209883
The most closely guarded secret of the Chicago auto show broke cover on Tuesday morning in the form of the king of all Camaros--the 550-hp ZL1.
The name recalls a Chevrolet racing engine dropped into just 69 Camaros in 1969, making them highly coveted among enthusiasts.
This new version will offer a six-speed manual transmission paired with the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that pushes out 550 lb-ft of torque. The car has been fortified with a host of aero enhancements, including a front fascia and an angry splitter. There also is added cooling capability for the gearbox and the differential.
The aluminum hood has a carbon-fiber insert, and the ZL1 rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear tires. The chassis gets General Motors' next-generation magnetic ride control with touring and sport settings. Speed is scrubbed with Brembos clamping onto 14-inch discs.
The interior gets available suede inserts, a leather-wrapped shifter and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
“It's designed to surpass its namesake in every conceivable way,” GM design chief Ed Welburn said of the car.
The ZL1 was tested at the Road America and Spring Mountain circuits, and it will take aim at the Mustang GT500. The ZL1 is a bit more powerful than the 465-hp Dodge Challenger SRT8.
And, get this, GM says it is targeting next January to launch the ZL1, and that it's still developing the car.