Camaro ZL1: The high-performance Camaro we've been waiting for

We've referred to it as the Z28 for almost two years. Chevy, however, is calling its new high-performance Camaro the ZL1, AND THIS 550-bhp pony car will be the most potent Camaro ever. Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser and Program Engineering Manager Tony Roma have provided the details on the car, which will have standard Magnetic Ride Control damping.


In 2006, when John Heinricy was head of Performance Vehicle Operations, he made sure the Camaro could someday house a larger differential and bigger rear tires. Slight changes to the floorpan created the space. As such, the ZL1 retains its stock chassis and bodywork. Ony the hood and facias are changed externally. The standard fenders house the 305-width rear tires, while the aluminum hood is modified with a black carbon-fiber vent for clearance over the super-charger and heat extraction.


The ZL1 is designed to shine on road courses and dragstrips, with the Shelby GT500 as its benchmark. Says Oppenhesier: "The ZL1 takes the SS to a new level. Roughly 30 percent of the car has been engineered to go out and dominate...our new leadership has told us we don't just compete anymore, we win."


From pistons to tires, the ZL1 has been built to take abuse. The word "beefy" was in every other sentence describing the drivetrain components. In back, the asymmetric halfshafts and clutch-type limited-slip differential are built to handle repeated drop-clutch launches.


New ZL1-specific forged wheels are shod with custom Goodyears. The wheels and tires are lighter than those on the SS, even though they are larger. There are still 10 months left in the ZL1's development, so the tire has another round of changes before being finalized. Rather than focus on a square tire setup (same size rubber front and rear) to aid cornering performance, GM says it will do this via tweaks to the rear suspension, anti-roll bar and tire compounds.


A 6-speed manual from the CTS-V will be standard, with shorter throws than in the current SS. A smaller steering wheel with improved ergonomics will be welcomed by performance drivers, and the smaller shift knob is said to offer a more natural feel. The seats are basically unchanged, but they will have vibrant stitching and suede inserts. Updated gauges will feature a shift light or indicator, plus a standard head-up display.


Other neat ZL1 technology includes electric-assist power steering and exhaust flapper valves. As for launch control, we can expect the ZL1 to have it, and maybe the Performance Traction Management from the Corvette ZR1. This might alter bracket racing forever, with repeated sub-12-second quarter mile passes a real possibility. Look forthe ZL1 early next year, priced at about $50,000.


Road & Track. May 2011.


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New 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition

Celebrating 50 years of Le Mans Racing- transferring track inspired technology to production.

For the truly hard-core Corvette fanatic who likes to spend weekends thrashing his or her car at the track, there is only one Corvette worthy of consideration: the Z06. However, thanks to the ZR1, the lightweight, normally aspirated 7.0-liter coupe is no longer the absolute quickest Vette, but it is felt to have the most responsive handling. What it doesn't have is the uber-cool carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fiber body panels and magnetic ride active damping system of its supercharged sibling. That can now be changed to past tense with the birth of the Z06 Carbon edition. 

The Z06 Carbon was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first appearance of the Corvette at the 24 Hours of Le Mans when John Fitch and Briggs Cunningham won their class and finished eighth overall. The Carbon edition is essentially a Z06 with a ZR1 chassis and some of the carbon skin. When production starts this fall, only 500 examples will be made and they will only come in two colors, Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue. All examples get black-painted wheels and a black interior upholstered in leather and suede.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois’ Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com. View our specials! Follow Phillips Chevrolet on Facebook and Twitter to receive coupons, special offers and prizes!

Chevy offers free driving school to all Corvette buyers for limited time

We operate under the impression that on the whole we live in the best period of automotive innovation and power that the world has ever seen. Manufacturers are turning out four-cylinder engines with more horsepower and torque than the mighty V8 lumps of just two decades ago and eight pots that boast fuel economy numbers as impressive as their dyno charts. These days, mega power is mega cheap and more accessible than ever. But, as Uncle Ben reminds us, great power comes with great responsibility, and to that end General Motors is offering all Corvette buyers a chance to learn how to get the most out of their machines.

For a limited time, GM is giving away vouchers to both of the company's Corvette Driving Schools to anyone who buys any model of a new Corvette. Typically, the driving schools are free only to those who lay down the coin for a mighty ZR1, but for a limited time, The General is splurging for Coupe, Convertible, Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 buyers to go on the company's dime. The schools are at the Bob Bondurant school in Phoenix, Arizona and Ron Fellows school in Las Vegas, Arizona.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois’ Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com. View our specials! Follow Phillips Chevrolet on Facebook and Twitter to receive coupons, special offers and prizes!

Hennessey building ZR1-powered HPE700 Chevy Camaro Convertible

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is getting ready to take the stage at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, but John Hennessey and his band of tuners can't wait that long. Hennessey Performance has announced plans and specs for its upcoming, limited-edition 2011 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro Convertible. 

HPE had a hit on its hands when it announced the 2010 HPE700 Camaro. That 725-horsepower coupe was limited to just 24 examples and they were all quickly spoken for. Since Chevrolet is bringing out the droptop Camaro, Hennessey has decided to produce another 24-car limited-edition run with the 2011 model. The 2011 Hennessey HPE700 will be available in both coupe and convertible form, and the cars stats are staggering.

The HPE700 ditches the LS3 mill found in the standard Camaro SS and in its place sticks the supercharged LS9 from the Corvette ZR1. Hennessey says the motor has been tweaked to produce 755 hp and 763 pound-feet of torque. The 6.2-liter V8 is able to hit those numbers thanks to revised boost levels and a more robust fuel system. Thanks to all that power, Hennessey has listed a 0-60 mph time of just 3.3 seconds. A trip down the quarter-mile happens in 10.9 seconds at 130 miles per hour. Those figures are for the hardtop version when fitted with optional Nitto drag radials.

It's not just a straight-line shooter though, as Hennessey adds more than power to its HPE700. The car is fitted with lightweight HPE wheels, 15-inch brakes with six-piston front calipers, larger sway bars and an adjustable coilover suspension setup. The exterior is fitted with numerous carbon fiber trim pieces. Inside, the HPE700 Camaro receives Hennessey logos on the headrests and floor mats, an HPE race shift knob and upgraded shifter, a numbered dash and hood plaque and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.

Currently, there is no set allocation plan for the coupe and convertible in the 24-car run. Pricing has been set at a stout $132,500, but that includes the cost of the base vehicle. It also includes a one-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park. The quarter-mile dragstrip, which has been featured in many of Hennessey's videos, is located next door to the company's production facility and showroom.

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Talk Show Host to be First Corvette Engine Builder

Todd Schnitt’s fifth Chevrolet Corvette will be unlike any he has had before because he will personally help build the 638-horsepower supercharged small block engine for his ZR1 supercar at the GM Performance Build Center (PBC).

Schnitt, host of a Tampa-based syndicated radio show, purchased the recently announced optional Corvette Engine Build Experience. He will be on the line at the PBC in Wixom, Mich., on Monday, Aug. 30.

As part of the Corvette Engine Build Experience ordering option, a special Chevrolet concierge is coordinating all arrangements with Schnitt. After the build is completed Monday, the engine will be tracked and sent to the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky., where Schnitt’s ZR1 will be assembled with his engine shortly thereafter.

“To build my own engine is over the top,” said Schnitt. “When my dealer told me about the option it was like ‘Of course, I’ll do it, sign me up!’ I can’t wait to get there and build my own
LS9. It will be the ultimate personalization for my car. I’m anticipating it being one of the coolest things I’ve done in my life. It definitely makes my ‘bucket-list.’”

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com. View our specials! Become a fan of Phillips Chevrolet on Facebook or Twitter to receive coupons, special offers, and prizes!