The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Has Come Agonisingly Close To 200mph

Despite hitting 202mph in official speed tests in Germany, the ZL1's wind-corrected and averaged top speed falls just short of the magic number
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Has Come Agonisingly Close To 200mph

Speed freaks this way, please. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has just hit an averaged top speed of 198mph, smashing through 200mph with the benefit of a tail-wind.

The Americans tested the fastest Camaro at the Automotive Testing Papenburg proving ground in Germany, hitting 202.3mph in one direction on the 7.6-mile loop and 193.3mph the other way, producing the 198mph official wind-corrected average.

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Has Come Agonisingly Close To 200mph

Then, after changing the camber settings from standard to zero degrees and pumping the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tyres up to their maximum, the ZL1 hit a tasty average of ‘over 200mph’, but it won’t be counted since the spec was altered from showroom-fresh.

Papenburg’s 49.7-degree banking allows cars like the Camaro to run flat-out around its 1.3-mile turns. Which is nice. The oval’s 2.5-miles straights then let the driver keep the hammer down and eke out those last few notches on the speedometer.

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Has Come Agonisingly Close To 200mph

As per the rules of engagement with speed records like this, the only non-factory features were extra safety kit and datalogging gear.

The 10-speed automatic gearbox is one of the key reasons behind the feat, says Chevrolet. As well as lifting the top speed versus a six-speed manual, it lets the ZL1 hit 60mph in 3.5 seconds and post a standing quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds.

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Has Come Agonisingly Close To 200mph

Elsewhere, there’s trick magnetorheological suspension, Brembo brakes that can haul the car up from 60mph in just 107 feet and, of course, a 650bhp V8 at the front. The price? A very reasonable $63,435 (£51,000) in the US, or $65,830 (£53,000) for the automatic.

Sounds like a cheap way to buy a brand new bucket of 200mph. If you change the camber settings, anyway…

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Comments

SBN089

E60 M5 goes over 200 with just 507 hp. The Camaro needs 10 Gears and 650 hp for “nearly” 200 mph, not that big of an achievement if you ask me.

02/21/2017 - 18:35 |
6 | 12
ModernChaos

In reply to by SBN089

It’s all about gearing priority. If the camaro was designed for top speed off the bat, it’d be over 200mph, but it’s geared to get the best acceleration and have the most usable power in every gear (hence 10 gears). I don’t think chevy designed this car strictly for top speed.

02/21/2017 - 20:56 |
8 | 0
V-Tech and EcoBoost kicked in yo

In reply to by SBN089

The M5 will easily be destroyed on a track by the Camaro.

The ZL1 is designed for race duty, and most race cars never see more han 150 unless it’s on a big track. Those 10 gears means it’s always in power.

02/21/2017 - 22:08 |
6 | 0
Ray Sloan

In reply to by SBN089

There are better places on the net to falate the m5

02/22/2017 - 14:58 |
0 | 0
SBN089

The E60 M5 is geared pretty narrow, plus the Camaro has plenty of revs left when goin near 200, that’s not the issue

02/21/2017 - 21:07 |
0 | 2
Earl Lomibao

Doesnt matter if it almost got there
Losing is losing

02/21/2017 - 22:33 |
0 | 2
suchdoge

Why give the autoan advantage because it’s more $$, Manual should be equal in every way…

02/22/2017 - 13:04 |
0 | 0
AE08

Faster then the fastest chevy cam.

02/26/2017 - 13:45 |
0 | 0
InjunS2K

Took ya long enough Chevy

08/09/2017 - 22:33 |
2 | 0