2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Pushing Limits No Camaro Has Before

Summary

2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE was built as a serious track weapon while remaining street-friendly.

It keeps the 6.2L supercharged LT4 V8 with a 6-speed manual transmission.

The 1LE package made it roughly 3 seconds faster around GM's proving-ground track than the regular ZL1.

Multimatic DSSV dampers, stiffer suspension, and the largest tires ever fitted to a factory Camaro transformed its handling.

Aerodynamics include a large front splitter, dive planes, and a massive carbon-fiber rear wing.

Brembo six-piston front/four-piston rear brakes and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires provide serious stopping and cornering grip.

Standard performance tech included eLSD, Performance Traction Management, launch control, line-lock, and Performance Data Recorder.

Originally priced around $68,000, the ZL1 1LE delivered near-race-car performance straight from the factory.

A Little Change For The Camaro

Looks like the picture is stretched, right? It's not—that's the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE! Revealed the day before the 2017 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, this Camaro could be Vehicle Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser's best work up to 2017.

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

2018 Cadillac CTS-V What to Expect

Mainly what you can expect with the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V is what you could always expect from the CTS-V dating all the way back to its first release date in 2004. The Cadillac CTS-V sedan will be a beefed-up version of the regular CTS with the intent to compete with German sports sedans. Sedans like the Audi RS6, Mercedes E63, BMW M-5, etc. will all have to go toe-to-toe with this American-made monster. 

In the past, the Cadillac CTS-V has been able to beat those cars from the other side of the pound in performance and handling. But with competitors all wanting to be on top of the hill, the competition will be thick. The third-gen Cadillac will - as it has always done - use the engine and transmission components from the Corvette. 

The 6.2-liter Supercharged V-8 will push out around 640-hp+ and 630-lb.-ft. of torque+. Connected to an eight-speed transmission the Cadillac will be able to reach 0-60 in 3.6-seconds and reach 100 mph in just 3.9-seconds. General Motors rumors it as a car that can reach a top speed of 200 mph, but they have said that before. 

Some people may not be very happy with the automatic transmission availability (only), but the truth is, with technology these days, the only thing you gain with a manual transmission is the feeling of being in a car that feels faster. In recent years automatics have out-performed manuals in the quarter-mile on a consistent basis. And that's not just for the Cadillac brand, the Corvettes and Camaros have also been found to be faster with an automatic.  

Past years have left some people questioning the steering of the CTS-V, saying that it has been a little bit on the week and loose side. Supposedly Cadillac has addressed these issues and the steering is now much more hefty and precise. With GM's new Magnetorheological suspension and huge Brembo brakes, the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V should have no problems handling any performance driving you throw at it. 

In true Cadillac fashion, like all of the other CTS-V sedans, even with the massive engine under the hood and other power upgrades, you will still be able to drive this vehicle back and forth to work, to the golf course, and even take them on long trips with every luxury every other Cadillac offers. 

For all of the new CTS Cadillacs, including the V-Series, they will be receiving a new infotainment system that is supposed to add more capabilities and be more compatible with the ever-turning technology age. Other interior upgrades the CTS-V will receive is a sportier steering wheel, and that's about it. For the most part, from the inside to the outside you will be owning a CTS except the emblems will have a dash and a V added to them and the power will be enormous. There will be somebody improvements, but hardly notable.  

There is one last thing to mention - this is about as big as a rumor as you can get - but a rumor is a rumor. Since all other vehicles in their class have two different body styles, there has been some talk about a possible addition of a wagon or a sedan to the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V line up, but that's just a BIG rumor. MSRP expected to be around $86,000.00.

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Pushing Limits No Camaro Has Before

Looks like the picture is stretched, right, but it's not, that's the new 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE! Revealed the day before the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway, this Camaro could be Vehicle Chief Engineer of Camaro, Al Oppenheiser's, best yet. 

This Camaro in its disguised form was many times throughout the winter mistaken for the next Sixth Gen Z/28. When Oppenheiser was asked why not a Z/28? His reply was if and when that next Z/28 does happen it will only come back out as a naturally-aspired vehicle the way it was attended to be when it was created. He also went on to say the car was built for the track but is a little bit more streetable than the last Z/28.  

This new 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE gets around the GM proven grounds track three seconds faster than the last ZL1. But make no mistake, it's not because of a new drivetrain, this new track car will still be using last years ZL1 power source, the 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 connected to a six-speed manual transmission. (no automatic 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 going to ditch the already very effective Magnetic Ride Control Shocks and upgrade to a set of Multimatic Spoiler-Valve Dampers. With a stiffer frame and the largest tires to every be found on a factory Camaro, this suspension should hug corners like your grandma hugs her grandkids.    

There is more to the equation. The body is outfitted with large dive planes in the front and a huge Carbon Fiber spoiler in the rear. The body also host a new and bigger front-splitter and a larger grille to help get more air into the engine compartment. Six-piston front, four-piston rear Brembo brakes will help you stop while those larger tires will be a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 3Rs to help grip the asphalt in just about any track conditions. 

The new version of the 1LE still gets some of  the old styling with the satin black wrapped hood, black side mirror, and blackout taillights. This new version will also come with other ZL1 perks such as the eLSD Positraction Management System with the same line-lock and launch capabilities. And all ZL1 1LE Camaros will come with the Performance Date Recorder (PDR). 

So what will this 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE cost you? Well, if you are lucky enough to get your hands on one, the suspected MSRP will probably be somewhere around the $68,000.00 mark.