The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE may not offer anything new, but it is still just as capable and relevant as then it was launched in 2017. It’s refreshing in today’s world that Chevrolet didn’t try to fix something that isn’t broken.

Traditionally, the Camaro is considered to be a muscle car which mainly rivals the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger. The previous generation Camaro was considered more of a muscle car than anything else, but the current generation follows more of the sports car route than the tire shredding, only-good-in-a-straight-line performance car most are used to. Instead, Chevrolet’s engineers made the Camaro a BMW M4 competitor which is brilliant around a track. The ZL1 is the top specification of the Camaro built to make the Ford Mustang GT500 sweat and embarrass the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. The two main rivals may have more power and torque, but the ZL1 – especially fitted with the 1LE Package – is more of a driver’s car than any of those.

The Chevy Camaro ZL1 may be nearly 6 years old, but it is still one of the greatest sports cars on sale. Here are eight reasons why the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is an awesome car.

Related: Volume Up: This Hennessey Exorcist Camaro ZL1 Sounds Incredible

8 It Looks Awesome

Chevrolet Camaro-ZL1-1LE-(White)---Front
Chevrolet 
 

The Camaro has almost always looked great – apart from the fourth generation – and the current model is no different. The Camaro may be classified as a sports car these days, but it still has the muscular and brutish styling of its muscle car past.

Chevrolet Camaro-ZL1-1LE-(White)---Rear
Chevrolet 

The top-spec ZL1 model accentuates the Camaro’s styling with a massive grille at the front, a low-level trunk spoiler at the back and a shaker hood. The 1LE track package adds a larger splitter, spoiler and diffuser to make the Camaro look menacing – much more so than the Dodge Challenger.

7 The Powerplant Is Amazing

2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Exorcist engine bay
Hennessey Performance

The Camaro ZL1 is powered by the LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 650 hp and 650 lb.ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels only via either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Blue Camaro ZL1 1LE
Via: Street Speed 717

The ZL1 may have less power than its Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye and Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 rivals, but it is the fastest around a track for the most part and offers better driver involvement – frequently placing first in head-to-head tests.

6 The Handling is Better Than Any Other Muscle Car

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 grille
Via Chevrolet

The Camaro ZL1 already has some of the best handling in its class, but the 1LE package makes it even better. The ZL1 features, as standard, wider fenders and tires over the standard SS for improved grip and Chevrolet’s famous Magnetic Ride suspension.

Flickr

Thanks to the magnetorheological dampers – which are controlled by running an electric current through them to change the fluid viscosity multiple times per second – the Camaro ZL1 stays flat in the corners and mitigates oversteer during corner exits. The system is so good that it can turn the Camaro into either a grippy track car or a sideways, tire-shredding hooligan at the touch of a button. Almost like BMW M-Cars do.

5 The 1LE Package Adds Some Brilliant Stuff

Camaro ZL1 1LE Giveaway
Via: Street Speed 717

The 1LE package does not only add the front splitter, rear spoiler and satin black hood though. The front bumper gets some canards for added downforce, the aero parts get visible carbon-fiber weave, and the mirror caps are blacked out.

2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe
Via: Chevrolet

In terms of performance, the ZL1 1LE keeps the same power as the ZL1. What makes it better in every way are the slightly wider and lighter wheels and performance summer tires to provide the most grip. The suspension gets a complete revamp with faster-acting dampers, adjustable camber plates, rear stabilizer bars and better front spring seats for a more tightened feel.

4 The Interior Is Racecar Inspired

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Interior
Via: Chevrolet

The interior of the ZL1 is much the same as the standard SS, but gets some cosmetic extras. The ZL1 comes with the Recaro sports seats and red seatbelts as standard – both options on the SS. The 1LE adds a ZL1 1LE logo to the center storage hatch for cosmetic reasons.

2021-Chevrolet-Camaro-ZL1-interior
Via: Chevrolet

The seats get microfiber inserts to hold the occupants better during hard cornering and the steering wheel gets the same suede/microfiber material around the rim instead of perforated leather for better grip. Chevrolet cannot call the microfiber ‘Alcantara’ as they then have to pay the owners of the copyright, but it is basically the same material.

3 It Is Less Expensive Than Its Rivals

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
GM

The equivalent Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye starts at around $10,000 more and $15,000 more for the widebody version. The Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 is priced from about $80,000, but easily rises to over $100,000 with options.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE.jpg
Via YouTube

By contrast, the Camaro ZL1 starts from around $68,500 for the manual and $70,000 for the automatic. The 1LE package costs $7,500, bringing the total up to around $77,500 – or just below $80,000 if some other options are chosen. This is much less expensive for what is essentially the better car.

Related: The 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Is A Great Supercar Alternative

2 It Is A Good Car To Drive On Road

Chevrolet-Camaro-ZL1-1LEjpg
Via Flickr

While the ZL1 1LE is a fantastic track car which can go on all day chasing down lap times and embarrassing its rivals, it can also just cruise along and be a good car. Thanks to the magnetic dampers, the range of suspension stiffness extends much wider than most cars.

2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Perfect Track car
Via: YouTube

On the road, the Camaro is soft and compliant without feeling wafty and unsettled, but still able to carve up a mountain road without resulting in a burning wreckage at the bottom. The Camaro ZL1 doesn’t compromise on ride quality like many other track-focused cars, and it is still able to comfortably drive on the road.

1 It Can Be Upgraded To Ridiculous Levels

hennesseyperformance.com

Since the Camaro is an American sports/muscle car with a great, big American heart, there are a few companies which can upgrade your ZL1 and 1LE to ridiculous levels if the 650 hp and 650 lb.ft of torque is a bit low for your liking.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Burnout
Via: Flickr

One of the companies which offers this is Hennessey. They have not only given a Camaro ZL1 1,000 hp and renamed it the Exorcist, they have also given a ZL1 1LE 1,000 hp and renamed it Resurrection. It is, quite frankly ridiculous, but we are really glad it exists. It is stuff like these which makes the Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE one of the most awesome cars currently on sale.