GM's new 10 speed. Guarantee's a fun ride.

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Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that it goes in a 640HP Camaro.

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The 2017 Camaro ZL1 is poised to challenge the most advanced sports coupes in the world in any measure – with unprecedented levels of technology, refinement, track capability and straight-line acceleration.

“The Camaro ZL1 is designed to excel at everything,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president of Global Product Development. “It’s a 2+2 coupe offering incredible performance – acceleration, handling and braking – with the highest levels of technology and perfect chassis damping, making it suitable for everyday driving. It will compare well to any sports coupe, at any price and in any setting.”

Acceleration for the ZL1 is delivered with a new supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine estimated at 640 hp (477 kW), and either a six-speed manual transmission with active rev matching or an all-new 10-speed automatic. Handling capability starts with the lightweight, stiffer structure of the all-new sixth-Gen Camaro, married with Magnetic Ride suspension and an electronic limited-slip differential. Standard technologies include Driver Mode Selector, dual-mode exhaust and advanced connectivity features.

The Camaro ZL1 goes on sale late this year.

Designed for Performance

Functionality defines the Camaro ZL1’s form, with the exterior shaped during more than 100 hours of wind-tunnel testing and on-track validation to improve aerodynamics and cooling for track use. Accordingly, its exterior elements all play a part in managing airflow over, under and through the ZL1.

“The design supports the Camaro ZL1’s exceptional performance and does so with compelling style,” said John Mack, Camaro exterior design manager. “From every angle, the elements coalesce to give the car a purposeful, super aggressive attitude.”

The lower grille opening, for example, offers greater airflow compared to the Camaro SS, and the upper grille incorporates a new version of the “flow-tie” open bowtie insignia. There’s also a new hood, with a carbon fiber insert and heat extractor that pulls hot air from the engine compartment. Additional changes include a larger front splitter, unique rockers, a wing-style rear spoiler and wider front fenders – all tuned to improve aerodynamics for greater high-speed stability.

Inside, there are standard Recaro front seats, along with a sueded flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob. Chevrolet’s Performance Data Recorder is available.

Fast with finesse

A cohesive suite of performance technologies tailors ZL1’s performance for street and track. Features include an updated Magnetic Ride suspension, Performance Traction Management, electronic limited-slip differential, Custom Launch Control and Driver Mode Selector. It also has a stronger power-to-weight ratio than its predecessor, weighing 200 pounds less, while offering approximately 60 more horsepower and 80 more pound-feet of torque.

The result is a one-of-a-kind driving experience.

“Driving the Camaro ZL1 is best described as ‘fast with finesse,’” said Reuss. “It is beautifully balanced, with perfect damping and isolation for optimal performance and driver confidence in virtually any situation – from the Pacific Coast Highway to Willow Springs to Pomona.”

Additional chassis features include:
•Unique 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with 285/30ZR20 front and 305/30ZR20 rear tires
•Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires with a compound and construction developed exclusively for the Camaro to offer exceptional grip on the track
•Brembo brakes with six-piston monobloc front calipers – featuring the ZL1 logo – and massive, 15.35-inch (390 mm) two-piece front rotors.

Supercharged performance and new 10-speed automatic

Underhood, the ZL1 features a supercharged LT4 6.2L V-8 Small Block engine, with intake and exhaust systems tailored for Camaro. It is rated at an estimated 640 horsepower (477 kW) and 640 lb-ft of torque (868 Nm).

The LT4 is backed by a standard six-speed manual transmission or all-new, available paddle-shift 10-speed automatic. The 10-speed automatic has 7.39 overall ratio for smaller steps between gears. It enables the LT4 engine to remain at optimal rpm levels during acceleration, particularly when exiting corners, for quicker laps and lightning-quick responses on both up- and down-shifts.

This is the first Chevrolet application of the new quick-shift 10-speed, with unique calibrations and hardware developed exclusively for the ZL1. By the end of 2018, GM will introduce the new 10-speed automatic in eight vehicle models.

Finally – and unlike some competitors – there’s no need to purchase an optional package to make the ZL1 track ready. Track capability comes standard, with features including an impressive 11 heat exchangers for optimal powertrain cooling.
 
Holy cow, a 7.39 overall ratio?!

BTW, this spec sheet basically reads as "we're trying to outdo the Shelby GT350".
 
To my ear the 10spd seems like its a waste of gears with that beast of an engine. A 3 speed would probably be fine!
Maybe they'll let Honda borrow it for another S2000? That's the kind of motor that could use it.
Crazy fast car though, its amazing what kind of performance comes in a street car these days.
 
What, you mean it did NOT come with a CVT, a tranny that was supposed to save the world from annihilation?
shocked2.gif
 
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I know the Z/28 is the track-focused model, but is the ZL-1 going to be able to power that power down? The Z06 already struggles to do so.

Also curious why they didn't do a 7-speed manual.
 
Can't have the Camaro eclipsing the Corvette now, can we?

Putting the power down is no problem with an electronic LSD and GM's exemplary stability suite with switchable thresholds of intervention.

The car will likely be severely torque limited in the first few gears anyway. Heck, even my 14 Ram with the ZF 8speed doesn't fully open the throttle until 3rd gear...
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Can't have the Camaro eclipsing the Corvette now, can we?

Putting the power down is no problem with an electronic LSD and GM's exemplary stability suite with switchable thresholds of intervention.


Many of the Z06 reviews (most notably Randy Pobst for Motor Trend) have complained that it's very tricky to accelerate out of a corner without the car getting squirmy. Adjusting the aero via the Z07 package doesn't make a huge difference at lower speeds because there's insufficient airflow on the spoilers.

PTM will of course aid with this, but I think Randy was alluding to the point that the car is barely driveable on the track without computer help...sorta like the GT-R.
 
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
To my ear the 10spd seems like its a waste of gears with that beast of an engine. A 3 speed would probably be fine!
Maybe they'll let Honda borrow it for another S2000? That's the kind of motor that could use it.
Crazy fast car though, its amazing what kind of performance comes in a street car these days.

There is a rumor that Honda is working on he next S2000, but it is most likely it will have manual transmission only, no automatic of any kind.

As far as I know the manual transmission in the last S2000 (both AP1 and AP2) were very good, one of the best manual of any car from any manufacture. I hope they would improve it to handle higher power better and absolutely no auto trans of any kind.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
I know the Z/28 is the track-focused model, but is the ZL-1 going to be able to power that power down? The Z06 already struggles to do so.

Also curious why they didn't do a 7-speed manual.


I think the auto industry moguls somewhere decided that an actual, honest-to-goodness 5 or 6-speed with a clutch pedal and H-pattern shifter is archaic, and outdone by technology, so 2012 or so was the beginning of its decline.
 
I assume that rev matching is not double clutching...

I was hoping for a 10 speed manual, honestly, like a dual range diff with a really sporty setup and a really economical one. With dual ODs in a 5-speed (My saab had that and I really liked it), the ratio variations could make for some really good options.

Alas, in the world of 7 and 8 speed ATs, a 10 is interesting but not really exciting to me...
 
I respect the team that designed it, but I can't help feeling its a solution in need of a problem. The power band just isn't narrow enough to need at many cogs.
Equally impressive, but for opposing reasons, the new Koenigsegg doesn't have any gears! Just an electric motor where the gearbox should be.
Of all the ways of skinning this particular cat I still think a pneumatic sequential is the best option.
 
It surprises me that GM is putting the 10-speed in the ZL1 as the first production application. Seems like the Corvette always gets the new goodies first. Or they would get a bigger boost in CAFE if they put the 10-speed in trucks. All in good time, I suppose.
 
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Originally Posted By: dparm
Holy cow, a 7.39 overall ratio?!

BTW, this spec sheet basically reads as "we're trying to outdo the Shelby GT350 on the hairpins, and the Hellcat on the straights".


Fixed. :)

Seriously, though, its going to be AT LEAST as traction-limited as the 8-speed 'Cat, if not moreso. I can see it now- software tunes to allow 4th-gear starts for better 60-foot times. :p
 
Might as well just put a CVT in and call it a hard days work. Except that exhaust note would sound like the worlds longest posterior discharge.
 
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Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Fantastic performance, it is unfortunate that it still looks hideous
21.gif



I have yet to see one in real life. Many cars have looked bad IMO when in pictures but are much better in the "flesh".
 
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
It surprises me that GM is putting the 10-speed in the ZL1 as the first production application. Seems like the Corvette always gets the new goodies first. Or they would get a bigger boost in CAFE if they put the 10-speed in trucks. All in good time, I suppose.
I wonder if it won't fit the Corvette's rear transaxle setup.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Fantastic performance, it is unfortunate that it still looks hideous
21.gif



I have yet to see one in real life. Many cars have looked bad IMO when in pictures but are much better in the "flesh".


To my eye, the Camaro went the opposite way. It looks great in pictures, but the first time I saw one in the flesh was a real let-down. Its not BAD, and in some ways better than the previous one. But the rear view, especially, looks very cheap and plastic-ey. Overall it looks more like an economy car than a sporty or muscle car.

PLEASE, GM, make that rumored Buick version of the ATS platform, and for heaven's sake call it a GS, GN, or something reflecting the *sporty* side of Buick's heritage.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I assume that rev matching is not double clutching...

I was hoping for a 10 speed manual, honestly, like a dual range diff with a really sporty setup and a really economical one. With dual ODs in a 5-speed (My saab had that and I really liked it), the ratio variations could make for some really good options.

Alas, in the world of 7 and 8 speed ATs, a 10 is interesting but not really exciting to me...


The 9 speed used in the Cherokee is supposed to be one of the more troublesome ones in the industry now.
I felt 99% sure I was going to buy a V6 Cherokee until I actually test drove one. I told the salesman that it was lacking in pep, and he laughed at me and said it had to have more than the four banger in my RAV4. Told him that I had 270HP in that thing and the Jeep just did not measure up, and his jaw dropped open and he didn't know what to say.
 
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