Looks like the picture is stretched, right? It's not—that's the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE! Revealed the day before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, this Camaro could be Vehicle Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser's best work yet.
This Camaro, in its disguised form, was mistaken many times throughout the winter for the next sixth-generation Z/28. When Oppenheiser was asked, "Why not a Z/28?" his reply was that if and when the next Z/28 returns, it will only come back as a naturally aspirated car—the way it was intended to be when it was originally created. He also went on to say this new car was built for the track but is a little more street-friendly than the last Z/28.
The new 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE laps GM's proving grounds track three seconds faster than the previous ZL1. But make no mistake—it's not because of a new drivetrain. This new track weapon still uses the same 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 paired with a six-speed manual transmission. (Sorry, no automatic is available.)
So what makes this monster so much better than the previous year's ZL1? The 1LE track package, of course. For the first time in a long time, Camaro is ditching the already impressive Magnetic Ride Control suspension in favor of a set of Multimatic DSSV (Dynamic Suspensions Spool-Valve) dampers. Combined with a stiffer suspension setup and the largest tires ever fitted to a factory Camaro, this suspension should hug corners like your grandma hugs her grandkids.
ZL1 1LE Camaro on the track
There is more to the equation. The body is outfitted with large front dive planes and a massive carbon-fiber rear wing. It also hosts a larger front splitter and a bigger grille to help feed more air into the engine compartment. Six-piston Brembo front brakes and four-piston rear Brembos provide the stopping power, while massive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires help the ZL1 1LE grip the asphalt in just about any track condition.
The new version of the 1LE also retains some familiar styling cues, including the satin-black wrapped hood, black side mirrors, and darkened taillights. It also comes with other ZL1 performance features, including the electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD), Performance Traction Management, line-lock, and launch control. Every ZL1 1LE will also come equipped with Chevrolet's Performance Data Recorder (PDR), allowing drivers to record and analyze their laps.
So what will the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE cost you? Well, if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one, expect the MSRP to be around $68,000.
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**Update: **Price Tag—Still Up There or Higher—2026
