“This test caps an impressive list of performance stats for the Camaro ZL1, which was designed to excel at everything,” says Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “It’s the most capable — and fastest — Camaro ever.”
Chevy used stock rubber — Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires — set to 44 psi, which is the recommended setting for extended high-speed driving. Other than the mandatory safety equipment and data-logging equipment, the car was stock.
Top speed was averaged by driving the ZL1 in both directions on the track. The 650-hp Camaro hit 202.3 mph in one direction and 193.3 mph in the other direction. There was compensation for wind speed.
The track, which has a 49.7-degree banking on the top lane, allowed test drivers to run the ZL1 flat-out without lifting off the throttle in the turns. There are 2.5-mile straights and 1.3-mile turns on the track.
Chevy took things one step further after getting the ZL1’s stock top speed.
“After testing the car in standard settings, which produced the 198-mph average, we set the front and rear camber adjustments to 0 degrees and the tire pressures to the maximum allowable sidewall pressure, and we saw the ZL1 average over 200 mph,” says Oppenheiser.
Considering the Camaro’s other impressive performance numbers (0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds at 127 mph, 1.02g max cornering and 60-0 mph braking in 107 feet), and a starting price of $62,135, a top speed kissing 200 mph doesn’t surprise us in the least.