How Fast Is A Camaro? What To Know About Its Top Speed
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Over six generations, the Chevrolet Camaro has made a significant mark in the world of muscle cars, creating its unique legacy amidst stiff competition. While the Ford Mustang often steals the limelight and the Dodge Challenger is known for its sheer power, the Camaro captures hearts with its distinctive charm, especially notable on the racing circuit.
The latest Camaro model could be pivotal, hinting at a possible shift to electric power and marking the end of its classic gasoline era. But let’s not rush into the future just yet. Instead, let’s take a moment to applaud the Camaro’s remarkable journey, celebrating its speed and performance as a beloved V8 powerhouse.
Just how fast is a Camaro? Today, we’ll review several Camaro iterations, determining their top speeds and relevant specs to give you a general idea of their speed. Let’s get to it.
How Fast Do Camaros Go?
How fast is a Camaro? Below are some noteworthy Camaro models and their respective top speeds.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Top Speed: 193 mph)
Let’s start this roundup with the “King of Camaros.” The sixth-gen 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is a true powerhouse in the muscle car world, boasting exceptional performance numbers that make it the fastest-production Camaro to date. It features a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine with an impressive 650 horses and 650 lb-ft of torque, enabling the Camaro ZL1 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 193 mph.
Not just about straight-line speed, the ZL1 is equipped with advanced suspension, high-performance Brembo brakes, and aero-optimized spoilers, ensuring it’s as agile on twisty tracks as it is quick on the straights.
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2010 Chevrolet Camaro SLP Performance ZL575 Special Edition (Top Speed: 190 mph)
In 2010, the Chevrolet Camaro lineup was jazzed up by the introduction of the SLP Performance ZL575 Special Edition, a real treat for muscle car enthusiasts. This beast came with a six-speed manual transmission and was powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that pumped out an impressive 575 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than the standard Camaro SS.
Thanks to these enhancements, the ZL575 could zip from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. While its top speed was typically limited to 158 mph, opting for Brembo brakes would bump that up to 190 mph, placing the ZL575 among the fastest Camaros to hit the road.
2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS (Top Speed: 165 mph)
The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS introduced an impressive innovation with its 10-speed automatic transmission, a feature more commonly associated with high-performance bicycles than muscle cars. This model was powered by a 6.2-liter LT1 V-8 engine, delivering 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, ensuring it had plenty of muscle to back up its aggressive styling. The 2019 Camaro SS could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk 4.1 seconds and complete a quarter mile in 12.4 seconds at a speed of 115.8 mph. Not just quick off the line, the Camaro SS also has a top speed of 165 mph.
2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 (Top Speed: 172 mph)
In 2014, the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 made a triumphant return, boasting a collaboration with Corvette Racing to produce a robust 7.0-liter V8 LS7 engine. This engine delivered a solid 500 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, ensuring that the Z/28 was not just a name but a statement of performance.
The vehicle was paired exclusively with a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission, channeling power efficiently through a sophisticated limited-slip differential. Chevrolet reduced the weight by using thinner glass and a lighter battery while simplifying the lighting components for an added performance boost. The Z/28’s redline stood at 7,100 rpm, and it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in four seconds and boasted a top speed of 172 mph.
HOW LONG DO CHEVY CAMAROS LAST?
If you’re interested in this vehicle, it’s helpful to look at what you’ll get from the car and ask the question - how long do Chevy Camaros last?
1998 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE (Top Speed: 160 mph)
The 1998 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE was a highlight of the fourth-generation Camaro line, bringing some serious upgrades with the WU8 option pack. This package boosted the car with better tires, a more potent exhaust system, and several improvements to its handling and performance.
At its heart was a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 engine, shared with the Corvette and Pontiac Firebird, officially listed to deliver between 310 and 320 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque. However, it’s rumored to have actually offered the same 350 horsepower as the Corvette. Despite some saying it felt too similar to the Firebird, the Camaro stood out on its own. Impressively, it could zoom from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 160 mph.
2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Top Speed: 184 mph)
The 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 marked a memorable finale for the fifth-generation high-performance models, representing the GM Zeta platform’s engineering pinnacle. This Camaro was equipped with a robust 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing a hefty 580 horsepower and 556 lb-ft of torque, all directed to the rear wheels via either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
This powerhouse enabled the ZL1 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, complete a quarter-mile dash in 12.4 seconds, and achieve a maximum speed of 184 mph. In addition to its sheer speed, the ZL1 featured an advanced adaptive suspension system, Performance Traction Management for optimal control, and reliable Brembo brakes.
THE CHEVY CAMARO YEARS TO AVOID
We put the spotlight on the worst Chevy Camaro years to avoid due to poor reliability and a high number of complaints.
The Exorcist Camaro ZL1 by Hennessey Performance (Top Speed: 217 mph)
How fast is a Camaro? Apparently, it’s insanely fast when tuned. As such, including a tuned car may be cheating for this list, but we can’t help ourselves. Hennessey Performance transformed the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 into something even more extraordinary: The Exorcist.
Hennessey’s upgrade to the Camaro ZL1 involves swapping the original 1.7-liter supercharger for a 2.9-liter one, enhancing it with a bigger intercooler, advanced induction system, ported cylinder heads, a new camshaft, and an improved exhaust. These changes elevate the V8 engine’s output to 1,000 horsepower and 966 lb-ft of torque. Aptly named for its formidable performance, The Exorcist can sprint from 0-60 mph in 2.1 seconds, complete a quarter mile in 9.57 seconds at 147 mph, and hit a mind-blowing top speed of 217 mph.
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