Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca! - Head 2 Head Episode 3
On this episode of Head 2 Head, Chevrolet's new 2012 Camaro ZL1 faces off against the reigning champion of the pony cars, Ford's 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition Mustang. Pro race driver Randy Pobst hot laps both cars around Inde Motorsports Ranch in Willcox, AZ to find out which modern muscle car reigns supreme.
Read the full story here: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1203_2012_chevrolet_Camaro_zl1_vs_2012_ford_Mustang_boss_302_laguna_seca/
Head 2 Head appears every other Wednesday on the new Motor Trend channel. http://www.youtube.com/motortrend
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2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with Launch Control
While attending a press preview of the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Virginia International Raceway, Vehix's Contributing Editor, Thom Blackett, grabbed this short clip demonstrating the car's launch control feature.
The idea is to maximize off-the-line grip, something that can go up in smoke with a 580-horsepower muscle car. To activate the system, tap the traction control button (located forward of the gear shift) twice. At that point, plant the throttle and the engine rpm will be limited to about 4,000 (varies slightly depending on weather conditions). Drop the clutch, and you're off.
Even under wet conditions, the 580-hp ZL1 was able to hook up and get moving, rather than sit and spin the rear rubber. And, thanks to a driver who had a little trouble activating the launch control system, we get to hear the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 sing at nearly full throttle.
2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Track Test Drive & Muscle Car Video Review
http://www.autobytel.com/chevrolet/Camaro/2012/zl1-coupe/ Autobytel Road Test Editor T.J. Keon recently had the chance to test drive the all new 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 on the street as well as on the track at Virginia International Raceway. The Camaro ZL1 sports a supercharged V-8 engine that makes 580 horsepower. Base price for the ZL1 is $54,095.
On the road the Camaro ZL1 feels firm and planted, but the ride is not rough or harsh. In fact the 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 could make for a great daily driver. The Alcantara lined seats and steering wheel feel great and are usually reserved for high end luxury cars. But make no mistake; the ZL1 was designed to kick-butt!
One of the things that make the ZL1 special is the optional 20-inch lightweight track wheel. These black 10-spoke rims are made from forged aluminum for strength. The rims are wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Generation 2 tires sized P285/35ZR20 up front and P305/35ZR20 out back. A huge Brembo Brake package sits behind these sinister rims. Suspension chores are handled by the Magnetic Ride Control System. The shocks are filled with a magnetorheological fluid and the dampening levels are computer controlled and adjusted up to 1000 per second. This makes for a comfortable ride on the road and a more than capable ride on the track.
The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is powered by a Supercharged Corvette engine dubbed the LSA. The 6.2 liter V-8 engine packs an Eaton Supercharger on top. Power output is 580 horsepower and 556 lb-ft. of torque. The Supercharger provides plenty of torque at any RPM level so that the power is there whenever you want it! You can choose between a Hydra-Matic 6-Speed Automatic Transmission w/TAPSHIFT or Tremec 6-speed manual transmission.
The Camaro ZL1 can run from 0-60 MPH in 4.0 seconds and can eclipse the ΒΌ mile in 12.0 seconds. Top speed for the ZL1 is 180 MPH. Fuel economy is 14 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway if you are wondering. On the road the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 pulls hard from any RPM thanks to the flat torque curve provided by the Supercharger. Practically every part on the Camaro ZL1 was designed to aid this Muscle Car in going fast. At just $54,095 the ZL1 can't be beat when you are talking high performance for the money. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 sports the amount of technology and horsepower you would expect to find on a car costing 4 times at much.
Check out the Exclusive Camaro ZL1 Walk Around with GM's Performance Design Director
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH5P7fjt7BI
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2012 Camaro ZL1 As Fast As Porsche or Lamborghini? Afraid So.
All of the naysayers out there that think American cars are junk, think again. This stock Camaro ZL1 turned times at the Nordschleife last week that were right there with Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari, all for 60,000 USD. Even Jeremy Clarkson has a Corvette ZR1, after he laughed at...then drove it.
Camaro Scosche Dash Kit Review
A quick overview of my install of the new Scosche Dash Kit for the 2010 - 2012 Camaro. I replaced my Metra kit with this and overall, I like it better so I'll be keeping it.
The Good:
* The install was MUCH easier than the Metra kit - basically plug and play (just follow the directions - not many wires to splice and there isn't another box you need to tuck under there.
* Most importantly: the kit looks better than the Metra in my opinion, a little more like how a stock setup should have been for a 2010 Camaro (that old radio is UGLY and the metra was plain)
* The touch screen controls work nice (although there's a little glare) and the steering wheel controls work like stock
* Most of the car settings are supported and controlled within the touch screen (that's a separate unit for the Metra kit).
The Bad:
* The two pieces of the unit (face and bottom piece) are glued together and not all that well. It separated on me just a little.
* Getting the head unit to fit right was a chore - had to screw the kit back in an out a few times and bend the brackets a bit to make it fit right. Even then, the gap at the top is a little more obvious than it should be.
* The directions could have included some actual diagrams on how to get the center console / dash apart (instead of just text descriptions with part #s).
* The speaker that produces the door chimes, blinkers, and back-up sensors is mounted somewhere inside the kit and sounds a little cheap
* Doesn't come with Onstar support built in (probably to keep the cost down). As I write this, it's not available yet but should be shortly (CAMOSM is the model # I believe).
Overall: 3.5 stars out of 5
Camaro ZL1 with Engine Pics
The 100% Canadian Made Camaro ZL1 takes a bow at the 2012 Canadian International Autoshow
ZL1 Engine with Strut Tower Brace
MuscleCar Tuner Showdown: HPE650/SuperSnake/SpeedfactorySRT8
We've compared nearly every combination of modern American muscle cars on the market. Now it's time for the ultimate showdown - Hennessey's Camaro HPE650 vs Shelby's GT500 Super Snake vs Speedfactory's Challenger SRT8. We head to the Dyno, the test track and the racetrack to determine which of these tuned pony cars reigns supreme.
Read the story here: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0912_hennessey_Camaro_speedfactory_challenger_shelby_gt500_comparison/index.html
