2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: Up Close
When Chevrolet drove the Camaro ZL1 onto the stage, I thought, “How is that any different?” Once I got closer, though, I saw the differences between it and the other Camaro trims, and I was satisfied. Frankly, if Chevy did much more, I would have been the first to bust them for making it gaudy.
The changes up front are functional and mostly related to air – aerodynamics and cooling. The spatula-like chin spoiler is meant to keep the front end from getting too light at high speeds. The car is 7 mm lower than the Camaro SS, and the splitter is definitely in jeopardy when parking blocks are near, but it’s not as risky as the Corvette ZR1’s splitter, which could do battle with a speed bump and lose.
Rather than a protruding hood scoop, the ZL1 has heat-extractor vents, which can’t be seen in profile. It does a nice job of distinguishing the car, but mainly it allows heat to escape at a point of natural aerodynamic vacuum, also decreasing lift. The ZL1 has higher cooling needs than the other trims because of its high-output supercharged V-8. The rear treatment is also pretty subtle (for this car, at least) and designed to maximize downforce. All I can say is it’s nice to see such a small trunklid spoiler on a performance car.
The interior upgrades are pretty nice, led by the flat-bottom, suede steering wheel and shifter, similar to what you’ll find in Cadillac’s V-Series cars. (Actually, the materials say “suede microfiber,” so we can conclude it’s the imitation kind.) The boost-pressure gauge in the console cluster is nice to have, but the more track-tuned the Camaro becomes, the less appropriate this gauge location. When you’re tearing around a track, you don’t need to be looking down that low.
