4 Passenger "Corvette"

[YFCvii]

GM .. what the ... !
Calgary Auto Show March 15-19 2017 has a Z06 and a ZL1 side-by-side.
People were lining up to sit in them ... I must concur that this Camaro ZL1 appears to have definitely "learned" a lot from the Corvette (to say it nicely).
So much so ... that it may be considered to be a GM 4-passenger Corvette.
I guess we Corvette Owners could maybe take it as a compliment ... maybe not!
Word from the GM Rep was only 50 Camaro ZL1 will be available in Canada this year ...
with an MSRP that creeps into our 1LT and 2LT price range ...
so here's a few pictures that I took for y'all to enjoy ...
Oh ... that's a beautiful white Z06 in the background too eh

 

[Rruuff Day]

Ouch? " .....that it may be considered to be a GM 4-passenger Corvette.".... .. Sorry SN-II .... It may sport the same motor but it will never be in the same class... JMO...

 

[Jeremiad]

No need to be offended when it is the Corvette that everyone aspires to compare to.

I have jokingly referred to my TBSS as an SUVette, and a 4-door Vette simply because of the engine and power, (although it does also boast Corvette rotors and calipers). It's just an empty statement that is meant to impress, and the new Camaros do impress. With independent suspension and LT4 power, the new Camaros (and Mustangs) have power and handling to rival C6s, and will stomp on a C5.

Hell, I bought a 98 Trans-Am because I couldn't quite afford the Corvette that I wanted, and I do not regret it. Poor man's Corvette maybe, but still a TON of fun. With a few minor modifications, it was fast enough to keep up with a C5.

Now, I wouldn't buy a new Camaro just because it has a back seat (in fact, one of the biggest reasons I bought my Corvette is because it only has two seats), but I can understand the appeal. Just the same as the appeal of a CTSV Sport Wagon!

 

[YFCvii]

Ouch? " .....that it may be considered to be a GM 4-passenger Corvette.".... .. Sorry SN-II .... It may sport the same motor but it will never be in the same class... JMO...

I whole heartedly agree with your reply Rruuff Day. Please don't get SN-III (me) wrong ... as I can't take ownership for originating the "4-passenger Corvette" statement as I either heard or read about it. I definitely can say that I am leery of supporting the concept. As with many, I have been weaned from the ownership of a Camaro. I loved my '84 Z28 as it was an excellent fit for me in my younger years. My sights were on a Corvette and my wallet afforded the Z28. Really needed a truck cliché was ever so true too .
I initially loathed the "poor man's Corvette" regard but grew up quickly to know that much of it was envy for the one who was driving a Z28 (with an apple and an orange sarcasm)

Not even 12 months has passed since I finally reached the Plateau of Corvette Ownership and along comes this GM beauty. If anyone chooses to check one out, I am pretty sure it will be easy to discover that this particular model of the Camaro has definitely "learned" a lot from its Idol. It's debatable when said that "there is no better compliment than to be copied" but darn it ... at the very least, "the Corvette" should have been rightfully reflected in the Bibliography of the 2017 Camaro ZL1 Owners' Manual.

 

[Rruuff Day]

Hmmmmm.... appears there are a few opinions out there..Can't say I am surprised... nor disappointed.... Good.... .. And maybe I should have stayed up late SN-III ( ) and elaborated somewhat more... The Camaro totally impresses me... I have never owned one but back many years ago when cars had wood spoke wheels, I did own several muscle cars and at that time, my aspirations for owning a Corvette never existed...but only because I could never see a financial position in my future to afford a sports car. And with that, the Corvette, (and this is totally JMO), is a 'sports car'... GM has made improvements over the years that are leading the Corvette into a class nearing the exotics. I have not driven the 2017 Camaro but I have driven both the 5th Gen SS and the 6th gen in a 2016 ZL1... No doubt.... they are an impressive car.... an impressive 'muscle car'... They have come a long way and it's easy to see, that what GM has learned developing the Corvette, they are applying to varying degrees whilst engineering the Camaro... and good on them and good on the Camaro, and good on the people out there that want a 4 seater... place for a child seat..four sets of golf clubs.. want to tow a trailer to the campground.... and most importantly, want a car that looks good, goes like HeII, and makes people turn their heads when they hear one coming.... But they are a vastly improved Camaro.....Not a Corvette.... and again... JMO.... yeeeehawwww!

 

[YFCvii]

Yup, sometimes up a bit late ... this business owner has a variable clock ... opinions definitely respected
... and mine can come as a self proclaimed hypocrite who appreciates a compliment of a few of the Cadillac aspects that are in his GMC Sierra
and undoubtedly as a proud owner of a brand new and true 2-seater pure sports car that is just growling to get out from hibernation!
... see you at the Dub and to Ponoka in a month and a bit ...

 

[Rruuff Day]

Yup, sometimes up a bit late ... this business owner has a variable clock ... opinions definitely respected
... and mine can come as a self proclaimed hypocrite who appreciates a compliment of a few of the Cadillac aspects that are in his GMC Sierra
and undoubtedly as a proud owner of a brand new and true 2-seater pure sports car that is just growling to get out from hibernation!
... see you at the Dub and to Ponoka in a month and a bit ...

ahhhhhh.... there now.... The self proclaimed hypocrite we also have in common.... All in fun SN.... all in fun...

 

[Dub]

I do like the Camaro ZL1, but after driving one, it felt to me like any other Camaro I have driven, with added power and growl. I just don't like the way the handle under fairly hard cornering, but as far as straight line performance, I was impressed.

 

[YFCvii]

I do like the Camaro ZL1, but after driving one, it felt to me like any other Camaro I have driven, with added power and growl. I just don't like the way the handle under fairly hard cornering, but as far as straight line performance, I was impressed.

Soooo Cooool ... you got to drive one !
(and I wondered why the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School had the instructors in non-ZL1 Camaros with us trying to keep up with them in our Corvettes)

 

[Dub]

My workmate has one, and he is a huge Camaro enthusiast. We traded cars at cruise night for a quick spin.

 

[YFCvii]

My workmate has one, and he is a huge Camaro enthusiast. We traded cars at cruise night for a quick spin.

Well your friend will definitely want to get at the ZL1-1LE that is suppose to come out for 2018. Rick Hendrick paid $250k in auction for VIN#0001 and it is suppose to be the quickest GM will have produced ... but the handling is likely going to be the question. We will see ... as I am still waiting also for the word on the building of the new mid engine Corvette (the factory closes for three months this summer I hear) and will likely now be a 2019 model released mid-2018. Good times ahead ... still really super cool you got to drive the ZL1. Cheers!

 

[Nelson84]

What is with the non functioning hood scoop? That has ricer written all over it.

Why do they always have to put the air box in the front corner? I think it looks like a Japanese setup. Lame. The looks are getting to be old on that body style. Not my thing.

 

[tyho]

I saw a new stripped down Camaro at the dealers last year, $80,000, straight from GM. It had the large carbon rotors and was basically a race car in street car clothing. I was told it had over 600 hp and is about as quick as the Z06. Some guy who collects car bought it. It looked quick, with the aero package, large wheels and suede interior.

 

[Riley P]

What is with the non functioning hood scoop? That has ricer written all over it.

Why do they always have to put the air box in the front corner? I think it looks like a Japanese setup. Lame. The looks are getting to be old on that body style. Not my thing.

The hood scoop is functional, but it's not a scoop for putting air into the engine, it's designed to pull hot, high pressure air out of the engine compartment to aid in cooling and help keep the front end planted.

From the reviews I have seen, the ZL1 is damn impressive. Which is great! Go GM and team Camaro. I hope it threatens the Corvette to force out guys into making the Corvette even better!