The Camaro Z/28's Greatest Enemy

    The Camaro Z/28 has been around since 1966 and its creators intended it to go head to head with the Ford Mustang. Chevrolet’s recipe for success with the Z/28 consisted of a massive engine and fancy suspension gizmos to make it handle better. Fast forward to 2014 and Chevrolet has released an all new Camaro Z/28. However, there is one major problem with the new Camaro Z/28, the price tag. The new Camaro Z/28 offers ridiculous performance, but for a pretty penny.



     The Camaro SS offers the best bang for your buck when considering performance and interior amenities. The 1SS package offers a roaring V-8 capable of mustering 426 horsepower, along with 420 lb-ft of torque. The interior houses a seven inch touch screen display, two power outlets, and the user friendly Chevrolet MyLink. A reasonable starting price of $34,050 is what it takes to get into a quick, good looking, and reasonably equipped Camaro.

    The Camaro 1SS offers horsepower that the majority of individuals will be more than happy with. But what if 426 horsepower isn’t enough? Chevrolet also sells the Camaro ZL1. This fire breathing monster comes equipped with a 6.2 liter supercharged V-8 that puts out 580 horsepower and 556 lb-ft of torque. It also comes standard with the same interior decor as the less powerful Camaros.  The extra power and other go-fast goodies demands a premium of $22,205 above the 1SS package, totaling $56,255 for the Camaro ZL1.

   The Camaro ZL1 doesn’t offer the best bang for your buck, but it wasn’t made for that purpose. It was made to offer the most horsepower in a Camaro, while still being able to put the power down. The ZL1 made for good track car and a for very composed road car. But, Chevrolet also has a long history for the Camaro as the ultimate track day machine, the Z/28. 

   This is a large number, so there’s no easy way around it, the 2014 Camaro Z/28 starts at a whopping $75,000. For that amount of money, one would expect to get a whole lot of go fast parts. That assumption would be correct. The Z/28 comes with an LS7 engine that produces 505 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque. Don’t for a second think that the Camaro Z/28 is all grunt. The beast comes with a limited-slip differential, a high downforce body kit, Brembo carbon brakes, RECARO seats, and race-proven suspension.

    Chevrolet’s major selling point for the Z/28 is the 7:37 lap time of the Nurburgring. This was four seconds faster than time set by the ZL1. Yes, both of these times are very impressive. But does four seconds justify the extra $18,745 over the Camaro ZL1? The majority of automakers test at the Nurburgring, but their lap times are futile. When purchasing vehicles, specifically track or sporty vehicles, interested buyers do not make purchases based off lap times at the Nurburgring. The Z/28 may be faster than a Lamborghini Murcielago around the Nurburgring, but what U.S. owner would ship their Z/28 to Germany to test that lap time?

   The Z/28 was built to be a hardcore track machine and it does an amazing job at it. But for the asking price of $75,000, there are a lot of track cars out there that provide the same visceral sensations. If an individual wanted a track day only car with no price range in mind, then the Z/28 is perfect. However, if an individual wanted a car to get them to the track, race competitively, then safely get them home. What’s wrong with the ZL1?
   
    With the extra money you save by buying the Camaro ZL1, you could upgrade various parts to improve racing ability. The ZL1 offers navigation, heated front seats, and even air condition, which is an expensive option for the Z/28. Making it a no brainer for a usable road car. Want an outstanding track car that offers comfort off the track? Don’t look at the new Camaro Z/28, but its older, more powerful brother, the Camaro ZL1.