If there is one thing early movies in the Fast & Furious Franchise are infamous for, it is that cars seem to have an infinite number of gears when shifting, even in a drag race where down shifting rarely occurs. In more recent times, that sounds more plausible with performance cars like the Corvette C7 Stingray and Porsche 911 (991) available with 7-Speed manuals. Meanwhile with more technical dual-clutch transmissions, you have the Lexus RC F with 8 ratios and the new Honda NSX with 9. Now though, there is a performance car with 10 gears. Yes, 10 forward ratios. Say hello to the new Chevorlet Camaro ZL1.
As mentioned in my post about the 2016 Camaro making its debut, hotter models were set be unveiled and this is one of them. Like its predecessor, the ZL1 takes the standard muscle car, which is already no slouch, but proceeds to add more fire power with a supercharged 6.2 litre V8. That's where the similarities end though - This engine unit is the LT4 sourced from the Corvette Z06, giving the new 2017 ZL1 60hp more power and 84lb-ft more torque than the 2016 ZL1.
To make sure the ZL1 is not mistaken for a regular Camaro, the styling has been turned up to 11 with a host of racy styling details. This includes a massive grill in the front bumper, ground-hugging side skirts, four large chrome-tipped exhausts, a new rear spoiler and a buldging hood with a blacked out centre piece, housing the aforementioned supercharged LT4. The changes in the interior are more subtle, but the plethora of ZL1 badging and unique stitching are still enough to set it apart from an SS.
Now here is where we see the ground-breaking technology. You can opt for a six-speed manual transmission with a rev-matching function, but what really steals headlines (including this one) is the new 10-Speed ZF automatic gearbox. It is making its debut in the 2017 ZL1 before it is transferred in 8 other models before then end of 2018. Other features worth noting are magnetic ride height suspension, brembo brakes, an electronic limited slip differential and 20-inch forged aluminium wheels wrapped around bespoke Goodyear F1 tyres. All this should ensure the ZL1 is as potent through the corners as it is in a straight line.
The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro is set to go on sale later this year, but if you want it in the UK chances are you have to import it yourself and settle for having the wheel on the wrong side of the car. Still, if you want to experience what it is like to experience the number of gear shifts we are lead to believe in a Fast & Furious movie, this is as close as you are going to get. You have to settle with the less dramatic action of flicking a paddle though.
As mentioned in my post about the 2016 Camaro making its debut, hotter models were set be unveiled and this is one of them. Like its predecessor, the ZL1 takes the standard muscle car, which is already no slouch, but proceeds to add more fire power with a supercharged 6.2 litre V8. That's where the similarities end though - This engine unit is the LT4 sourced from the Corvette Z06, giving the new 2017 ZL1 60hp more power and 84lb-ft more torque than the 2016 ZL1.
To make sure the ZL1 is not mistaken for a regular Camaro, the styling has been turned up to 11 with a host of racy styling details. This includes a massive grill in the front bumper, ground-hugging side skirts, four large chrome-tipped exhausts, a new rear spoiler and a buldging hood with a blacked out centre piece, housing the aforementioned supercharged LT4. The changes in the interior are more subtle, but the plethora of ZL1 badging and unique stitching are still enough to set it apart from an SS.
Now here is where we see the ground-breaking technology. You can opt for a six-speed manual transmission with a rev-matching function, but what really steals headlines (including this one) is the new 10-Speed ZF automatic gearbox. It is making its debut in the 2017 ZL1 before it is transferred in 8 other models before then end of 2018. Other features worth noting are magnetic ride height suspension, brembo brakes, an electronic limited slip differential and 20-inch forged aluminium wheels wrapped around bespoke Goodyear F1 tyres. All this should ensure the ZL1 is as potent through the corners as it is in a straight line.
The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro is set to go on sale later this year, but if you want it in the UK chances are you have to import it yourself and settle for having the wheel on the wrong side of the car. Still, if you want to experience what it is like to experience the number of gear shifts we are lead to believe in a Fast & Furious movie, this is as close as you are going to get. You have to settle with the less dramatic action of flicking a paddle though.
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