In Cars, Chevrolet, International News / By Hafriz Shah / 3 April 2013 11:45 am / 24 comments

Even if all you want is ‘that car’ from Transformers, you’ll still have quite a few decisions to make before you can submit your order. Why? Because the Chevrolet Camaro range is just too darn complicated.

A Camaro LS and LT would get you a V6 under the hood, while an SS upgrades you to a V8 – the last two available with the RS styling package. Then comes the tricky part. Come 2011 the ZL1 debuted with a 580 hp/756 Nm supercharged V8, while a year later the 1LE performance pack was introduced for the SS model. Still with me?

To add to our confusion, here’s yet another new variant, the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Apparently that’s the most iconic model name in Camaro history, not that we’d know it. It gets a massive 7.0 litre LS7 V8 engine and is claimed to be the most track-capable Camaro ever. But, it only has 500 hp and 637 Nm of torque, so the ZL1 is the more powerful model. Huh?

What sets the manual-only Z/28 apart is its weight, or lack thereof. It’s 136 kg lighter than the ZL1; achieved by throwing out non-track essentials such as the audio system, tyre repair kit, interior sound insulation, carpet in the boot, fog lights and even air conditioning, though the last item is still an option. A lighter battery, thinner glass and standard lightweight halogen lights (no xenons for you) round up the diet programme.

The singular focus of the Camaro Z/28 is most evident in the chassis, sporting race-proven spool-valve dampers, stiffer spring rates and suspension bushings for improved cornering response and grip. Ultra wide 305-section Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres are used alongside large diameter Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix braking system.

All that allows the Camaro Z/28 to pull 1.05 g in cornering and 1.5 g in deceleration. Chevrolet claims that it’s three seconds faster per lap than the Camaro ZL1, as it forgoes ultimate horsepower and torque for improved weight balance and track performance.

The entire 2014-model year Camaro range gets a revised exterior design, now with slimmer, more aggressive headlights and simpler joined rear lamps. Unique to the Z/28 are the deep kerb-hunting front splitter, wheel arch extensions, boot spoiler and mega-sized diffuser. The wheels are smaller for a change, at 19-inches versus the SS and ZL1’s heavier 20s.

Inside, suede-trimmed Recaro seats and the ZL1’s flat-bottomed steering wheel are fitted as standard, while the ‘Octane’ matte-metallic panels are specific to the Z/28. Lighter rear seats are used to save weight, which begs the question – why bother stripping out the radio and air-con if you’re going to leave the rear seats intact?

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is probably the only American sports car that’s more capable at carving corners than it is at tearing up the straights. Does that make it more appealing, or do you prefer a traditional Yank tank?

Right hand drive version please. thumbs up.

Americans are hippocrates. They say we cut down trees and worsening the ozone layers etc. Look at them, still promoting 7000cc cars. White man will always criticise Asiansbut they should look at themselves in the mirror

So you’re saying 1500cc with 4 speeds are better for tracks and for the Gs?

Americans like most other people around consist of people from a diverse ideological backgrounds. I bet you won’t find an environment activist driving a 7000cc car, and vice versa. So…what’s your point again sir?

Is it just me or the new camaro’s look is not that appealing, espcially the tailights compared to the old one?

2nd picture reminds me of an Integra DC5. =)

When it will be available here.. in GT5?

most likely never, GT6 then probably yes.

looks much better than M3 v8

I have no idea how your brain generate such dumb signal to your hand to take action and leave this most irrelevant comment in this post

So in other words, this is the camaro version of corvette Z06

Damn Americans and their 7L engines… I blame them for the rising price of fuel. Why can’t they drive normal cars like the rest of the REAL world?

Never driven a big American v8 have you?

..and you think the Italian exotics are light on petrol?

For the past generation, you get the LS v6, then the z28, then the SS, then the other option packages. Not sure why they left out the z28 until now.

I have very fond memories of a 99 z28. Call it a summer fling. Great while it lasted. But winter driving calls for more than 2 driven wheels.

Both the z28 and turbo4 awd runs identical times on the strip… Just that the z28 does it in so much more excitingly. The v8 exhaust note from the twin flow masters just puts anything else to shame short of an Italian v12.

Both makes 300+hp and not Ironically, both run the same fuel economy….. :) whack them and both will struggle to get past 250km per tank…. so….don’t knock what you don’t know.

Too bad Pontiac is dead. Would have loved the screamin’ chicken back.

Not all Americans drive a camaro duh…. It’s sad that the mentality of most Malaysians are so narrow when it comes to things that are not norm to them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Malaysian. :-D

nice. looks slimmer than before…

wow incredible engine. stylish design.

Preve is still a better car

oh you sneaky chevy… trying hard to change the camaro’s rear lights in order to differentiate between camaro and corvette’s ass?

Oh Oh Oh Oh oohhh I saw a red camaro today It turned my head around it made me think About back when my life was a game And we played it all night long just like Our favorite song. Summers just around the bend Summers just around the bend.

Turn up the music loud Take the T top down And let the chrome shine Cruise along the river side Feel the wind blow Through your hair through your toes Got your bare feet hanging out the window Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

I saw a red camaro today And I did a double take I thought I saw her face We were so reckless and young And it all comes back to me In storm wash memories Summers just around the bend Summers just around the bend

Turn up the music loud Take the T top down And let the chrome shine Cruise along the river side Feel the wind blow Through your hair through your toes Got your bare feet hanging out the window Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Looking back looking back Sweet wine and sunshine Looking back looking back Man those were some good timmmmes Oh oh oh oh Everybody sing Oh oh oh 1234

Turn up the music loud Take the T top down And let the chrome shine Cruise along the river side Feel the wind blow Through your hair through your toes Got your bare feet hanging out the window Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Turn up the music louuuuuuuuud Turn up the music loudddddddddd

American muscle is coming back.Feel the sound…

i prefer the bumble bee camaro . This is just doesnt look appealing

How to buy this car in Asia?

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