CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 RETURNS TO US FOR 2014

US pricing for the Camaro Z/28 has been listed at US$75,000, excluding on road costs. Already well-equipped out of the box, only one option will be available: a US$1,150 package that adds air con and a total of six audio speakers (the standard Z/28 package includes one speaker).

"The Camaro Z/28 is an uncompromising performer that's bred for the track - and every one of its unique components supports the goal of faster lap times," said Mark Reuss, President, General Motors North America and former head of GM-H here in Australia.

"It takes the Z/28 back to its racing roots and adds to the strong lineup of Chevrolet performance cars, including a revamped Camaro SS and supercharged ZL1, as well as the SS sedan, Corvette Stingray convertible and 2015 Corvette Z06, which we'll introduce at the North American International Auto Show."

Exterior Styling
The Z/28's unique exterior is designed like a race car to produce downforce that presses the tyres against the track for greater grip - up to 1.08 g in cornering acceleration - and faster lap times.

The aerodynamically-optimised design helped the new Z/28 log a lap on Germany's legendary Nurburgring road course four seconds faster than the Camaro ZL1, as well as beating published times for the Porsche 911 Carrera S and Lamborghini's Murcielago LP-640.

The new Z/28 will be available in five exterior colours - Red Hot, Black, Silver Ice Metallic, Ashen Grey Metallic and Summit White.

Engine & Transmission
Power comes from the 7.0L LS7 engine, with dry-sump oiling, rated at an SAE-certified 376kW (505hp) and 652 Nm of torque (481 lb/ft). The engine will be built by hand at the new Performance Build Centre within GM's Bowling Green assembly plant in Kentucky.

A close-ratio six-speed manual is the only transmission offered, with power distributed to the rear wheels via a Torsen limited-slip diff. A helical gear set, rather than traditional clutch packs, is used for optimal traction. The LSD works in unison with Chevrolet's proprietary Performance Traction Management system, allowing drivers to adjust the level of throttle and braking intervention to match their capability and driving environment.

Suspension
The Camaro Z/28 is also one of the first production cars fitted with race-proven, spool-valve dampers, which allow four-way damping control, enabling engineers to precisely tune both bump and rebound settings for high-speed and low-speed wheel motions. The wider tuning range also allows dramatically greater damper stiffness without a significant change in ride quality. Additional chassis changes include stiffer spring and bushing rates for improved cornering response.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
Lightweight, 19-inch forged aluminium wheels and Pirelli PZero Trofeo R tyres reduce unsprung weight by 49.6 pounds (22.5 kilograms) per car compared to the 20-inch wheels standard on Camaro SS and ZL1. The Camaro is the first production car to receive the 305/30ZR19 Pirellis, which are believed to be the widest front tyre on any production car.

To fully exploit their grip, the Z/28 features Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix™ rotors and fixed, monobloc calipers. The 394 x 36 mm front rotors are paired with six-piston calipers, while the 390 x 32 mm rear rotors are paired four-piston calipers. Compared to similar-size, two-piece steel rotors, the lightweight carbon discs save 12.5 kg.

The combination of tyre grip and braking power enable the Camaro Z/28 to achieve at least 1.5g in deceleration. With standard front brake cooling ducts, the Z/28 is also capable of continuous track use.

Interior details
Inside, the Camaro Z/28 features distinctive, matte-metallic trim in a finish called 'Octane', a flat-bottom steering wheel and Recaro seats with microfibre inserts. The seats feature aggressive bolsters for high-performance driving, as well as seat cutouts inspired by the five-point harnesses found on racing seats. To save weight, both front seats incorporate manual adjustment.

Rear seats have also been modified for weight reduction. Four kilograms were saved by eliminating the seat-back pass-through, as well as using high-density foam in place of the rigid structure of the seat back and steel mesh of the seat bottom.

Additional weight savings include:
- Elimination of the tyre-inflator kit, except for US states where it's required by law
- Reduced use of interior sound deadener,
- Removal of boot carpet
- A smaller, lighter battery
- Thinner rear-window glass - 3.2 mm vs. the standard 3.5 mm
- Elimination of high-intensity discharge, or HID, headlamps and fog lights
- No air conditioning, except as part of the single option package.

The Camaro Z/28 will be available to order in the US in late January with the first cars delivered to customers in the spring. The first Camaro Z/28, VIN 0001, will be auctioned at the Barrett Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. on January 18. Got to www.barrett-jackson.com for more details.

Australian availability of the 2014-spec Camaro Z/28 is unlikely, except through individual order or specialty small-volume import businesses. But that may change when Holden's local manufacturing operations in 2017, the Camaro, including the Z/28 if it's still around, may be a part of GM-H's future offerings.