Camaro ZL1 1LE
the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is the fastest Camaro to ever lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
The words “Camaro”, “Nurburgring” and “fastest track time” don’t seem like they go together, but when it comes to the Chevy fastback’s particularly spicy track trim, the 1LE package…. Well, they do. In fact, the Camaro set a new record at the Nurburgring, posting a track of that’s 13.56 seconds ahead of the standard ZL1 – and more importantly, its 7:16.04 lap makes it faster than the Germans’ own Porsche 911 GT2 RS, or the Japanese’s GTR. That’s impressive for American muscle.
Yes, the 1LE is quite cool by numbers and apexes alone, but how? The 1LE doesn’t make any more power than its parent, the ZL1. Its 6.2L supercharged V8 sports 650 horses and 650 torques – normally, that’d be too much to handle in the corners for any front-engine, rear-wheel car. But it isn’t. What sets the 1LE apart from its track competitors hides under the chassis: The 1LE gets treated to an extreme diet, shaving off a few hundred pounds to grace the scales at just 3,837 pounds.
Chevy ditched every single accouterment and creature comfort possible, including its daytime running lights. That opens up more airflow to the 1LE’s 11 – yes, eleven – heat exchangers. This keeps the intake air as cold as possible, allowing for more oxygen during compression, and thus more power.
Under the wheels, one will find F1 suspension components, including Multimatic DSSV dampers directly mounted to the body for the most rigidity possible. Controlling those dampers and the suspension up front and in the rear is MagneRide – yes, the American Camaro also gets an adaptive suspension, the same stuff found on every current F1 car.
Normally with cars that are stripped down and hyped up like this, the driver gets nothing on the inside – a purely utilitarian interior, if you will. But the 1LE stays cool as a practical driver’s car, too. You’re still getting comfortable seats that adjust, and you get to keep your air conditioning. The cabin is decked out in some very nice leather with red double-stitching, while the dash and hidden panels get the carbon fiber treatment to save weight.
The 1LE’s impressive track times and F1 technology make it an easy addition to our Top U.S. Sports Cars of all time.
