HSV slams down Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Holden Special Vehicles has confirmed the supercharged Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – and finally a manual transmission -- will be part of the upgraded MY19 Camaro coupe line-up it begins ‘remanufacturing’ within days.

The move will bring to the next level a grudge match that began last September, when HSV became the first right-hand drive converter to offer the Camaro (in MY18 2SS Coupe auto-only guise) with full-volume compliance in Australia and New Zealand, where Ford’s first global Mustang has been the most popular sports car since 2016.

Now, however, the MY19 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 brings about 480kW to the table from its supercharged 6.2-litre LT4 V8, which might not out-power Ford’s upcoming supercharged limited-edition Mustang (circa-500kW) or even Premcar’s newly launched Falcon ‘Holy Grail’ (483kW).

But with a whopping 860Nm of torque available (exact outputs are yet to be certified for Australia), it should out-muscle both blown Blue Oval rivals.

All that performance doesn’t come cheap though, with the MY19 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 priced from $159,990 (including luxury car tax but not on-road costs) and the 10-speed automatic version adding another $2200.

Only 300 ZL1s will be available – the same number as the final homegrown HSV ever produced, the limited-edition GTSR W1, which cost $10K more at $169,990 and delivered ‘just’ 474kW and 815Nm.

Yes, the other big news for HSV’s MY19 Camaro line-up is the introduction of a manual transmission for the first time, not just for the ZL1 but the regular Camaro 2SS. It’s a six-speed manual with active rev-matching and launch control.

The bad news is that base pricing goes up by $1000, from $85,990 for the MY18 2SS auto (550 of which were produced, about 80 per cent of which remain unsold), to $86,990 plus ORCs for the MY19 2SS manual.

As with the ZL1, the 2SS scores GM’s latest 10-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission -- up from eight-speed and now with Custom Launch Control, Line-Lock burn-out mode and lift-foot gear hold technology.

The auto brings the price to $89,190 plus ORCs and is expected to account for two-thirds of the 1000 MY19 Camaros that HSV plans to convert.

MY19 Camaro 2SS auto production at HSV’s Clayton facility in outer Melbourne commences in early March, followed by the ZL1 auto in April, the 2SS manual in May and the ZL1 manual in June.

Beyond the manual gearbox, design changes for the MY19 2SS include new front-end styling including a revised front fascia with blacked-out grille, reshaped dual-element LED headlights, functional extractor-style bonnet, ‘flow-tie’ open bow-tie grille emblem, new rear fascia, LED tail-lights and new five-spoke 20-inch silver alloy wheels.

Inside, there’s a next-generation Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with 8.0-inch touch-screen, Rear Camera Mirror, Head-up Display and Forward Collision Alert (but not auto-braking or AEB).

There are no changes to the 2SS coupe’s 339kW/617Nm 6.2-litre Gen V LT1 V8, which incorporates direct injection, variable valve timing and active fuel management.

The ZL1, on the other hand, not only packs at least 140kW more power and 240Nm more torque, but adds Magnetic Ride Control dampers, an electronic limited-slip differential, Brembo performance brakes with six-piston monobloc front callipers and 390mm two-piece front rotors, bi-modal performance exhaust and 20-inch 10 split-spoke forged alloys in Dark Graphite.

Key technology and equipment features carry over from the 2SS, but the ZL1 is differentiated by HID headlights, bigger upper and lower grille openings, more aggressive front splitter and rocker mouldings, unique bonnet with carbon-fibre composite hood air extractor, and wing-style rear spoiler, all of which are claimed to reduce lift and increase downforce.

Inside the ZL1, there are Recaro performance front seats with Jet Black leather appointments, red accents and sueded micro-fibre inserts, a sueded flat-bottom sports profile steering wheel and gear shifter, and sport alloy pedals.

“HSV has a history steeped in high-performance and the upgrades to the 2SS model, and the introduction of the ZL1 – the most powerful performance Camaro available in the world -- really sing to HSV’s heritage,” said HSV managing director Tim Jackson.

“We’re confident the GM faithful, and performance enthusiasts generally, will be delighted with our latest move.”

How much is the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro?
SS manual -- $86,990
SS auto -- $89,190
ZL1 manual -- $159,990
ZL1 auto -- $162,190
Metallic paint (Crush/Garnet Red Tintcoat) -- $850
* Prices exclude on-road costs