Wow that is really interesting. It does make sense to me, however.
The ZL1 seemed like it was capable of replacing the old Z/28 at the same time as being the next generation of ZL1. But with a 1LE package (which is actually pretty serious), that cements it to me.
That said:
Why not just call this a Z/28? Chevy says that name is reserved for naturally aspirated cars, and wouldn’t rule out a true Z/28 variant in the future. For now though, consider this your Z/28 successor. Camaro chief engineer Al Oppenheiser said this model is “not your daily driver,” but it is “a little more of a daily driver than the Z/28 was.”
As far as the Z/28 goes, I guess we would be waiting for an LT7 to appear. Until then, some folks would probably say GM isn't directly answering the GT350R. But they totally are, in every way other than what the engine redline is.
Let's decompose the package:
- Tires. First cup tires from Goodyear. I mean Michelin isn't the only game in town but it is kind of weird that the Camaro group is so interested in Goodyear. I just consider them second rate, fairly or unfairly. And I don't mean that they won't provide performance, but I feel like Michelin tires tend to work better over their life and these may be biased to providing their optimal performance for a few hot laps to generate some big numbers. I could be wrong since these are brand new.
- 6-speed manual only
- DSSV shocks, ditching the MR. This is really interesting to me. And honestly, these shocks combined with the aero stuff solidifies this car as the legit successor to the gen 5 Z/28. The GT350R of course uses MR shocks to get it done.
- And now for some legit racing stuff:
Adjustable ride height, solid-mounted front struts, adjustable camber plates, a hard-mounted rear cradle, and an adjustable rear anti-roll bar.
- And aero that dips into the Corvette play book.
The ZL1 1LE gets a carbon fiber rear wing, air deflectors and dive planes, and a new front splitter
So what would a Z/28 do for us anyway? Be slower but with a higher redline? It would have to price below the ZL1 to make any sense at all. Maybe it would be the Grand Sport-equivalent in the Camaro lineup. Take a ZL1 1LE, remove the LT4 and put in a lower hp (but higher redline and N/A) LT7. I wonder if they will copy Ford on the carbon fiber wheels.
Anyway, with the ZL1 1LE package, I don't see room for charging more for an LT7 Z/28 because it won't be higher performance. If the Z/28 was going to pull that off with an LT7 (which, by the way, would have to end up somewhere between an LS7 and LT4 for output), it would have to have some serious weight loss, which will be expensive. I like that a full range Camaro lineup exists next to the Corvette, but turning the Camaro into a Corvette doesn't make any sense. Just get a Grand Sport at that point, seriously.
One more thought: If we believe GM is developing an LT7, do we really think it would be exclusive to the Camaro? I don't. It could go in an ATS-V+, and the Corvette.