What is the Fastest Camaro?
The Chevrolet Camaro has spanned six generations. There were definitely some big hits and misses over the years, but which version is the fastest Camaro of all?
Written by Kerry Gibson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
So far, the
Chevrolet
Camaro has evolved through six generations. There have been so many variations of the model, aside from a halt in production from 2002 to 2008. The car may have been off to a slow start, but one version will be crowned the fastest Camaro.Chevrolet released its first pony car in 1967. It was General Motors’ response to the success of other car brands in this segment, like the
Ford Mustang
. The two models have been rivals ever since, but current testing is conclusive: The Camaro is quicker than the Mustang.The Camaro’s early years
Originally slated to be called the Panther, Chevrolet ended up switching the name to Camaro. This was to keep in step with its other models at the time, the Chevelle, Corvette, and Caprice.
AutoWise
reports that the car was originally based on its economy model, the Chevrolet Nova. It would grow to become the carmaker’s fastest vehicle.The very first model had seven different engine options. These included inline six-cylinder and V8 motors. None of these would produce the fastest Camaro, but they got closer in 1969 with the release of the ZL1. At the time, it had an impressive 5.3-second run from 0 to 60 mph.
Improvements continued over the years, except for a few duds. The 1975 Camaro, 1977 and 1982 Z28 models, 1985 Berlinetta, and 1994 V6 were all bark but no bite. They were loud and slow, leaving Camaro enthusiasts and critics wanting more.
A journey to the fastest Camaro
As expected, vehicle speeds have progressed with the rapid growth of technology. The fastest Camaro hit its stride in the fourth generation.
The Camaro SS traveled from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. It shared a 5.7-liter LS1 Pushrod V8 engine with the Pontiac Firebird. The car paired 325 hp with improved downforce, exhaust, intake, and suspension.
After the Camaro’s hiatus in the 2000s, the fifth generation was introduced in 2010. Every year that followed would see a new iteration of the fastest Camaro, according to
Motor1
. The 2015 Camaro Z28 had a 7.0-liter V8 with 505 hp. It would do 0 to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. Perhaps the most exclusive Camaro was the 2014 Callaway SC652 with only 10 units ever produced. Outfit with a supercharger, this $100,000 car had 652 hp.
In 2016, Chevrolet was selling some budget-friendly models that didn’t compromise on speed. The Camaro 2.0T was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. The Camaro RS of the same year had a responsive 3.6-liter V6 with 335 hp.
The fastest Camaro
The reigning champion of the Camaro lineup is the ZL1. The original pony car, turned muscle car, turned supercar, now has a top speed of 200 mph. It’s equipped with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces 650 hp. From 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, the ZL1 remains the fastest Camaro.
This car has magnetic ride control, 20-inch aluminum wheels, Bembo brakes, and an electronic limited slip differential. It was engineered with aerodynamic features like an auxiliary transmission cover and stanchion spoiler to minimize lift. The fastest Camaro was built with front-to-back balancing for high-speed stability.
Chevrolet
reports that the Camaro ZL1 will still manage 193 mph going the opposite direction on the German test track. The car corners so well that throttle adjustment is not necessary while turning. It’s available with a six-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmission. Pricing starts around $63,000 for this model, which makes going fast, affordable.Insurance is also made affordable with
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