My FH5 Log: A tribute to Camaro Six

The sixth-generation Camaro is presumably going to be the last Camaro Chevrolet they'll ever make and although the Camaro name will live on after the end of the sixth generation's lifespan, it won't be the same as the muscle car Chevrolet fanatics remembered. 

While the rest of America's busy with their grills and fireworks outside, it's time for me to have a little tribute to the Camaro Six, in ZL1 form, here on Forza Horizon 5.

Ah yes, the sixth-generation Camaro. When it was launched in 2015, it follows the same muscular recipe as its previous model, the one made famous in the Transformers movies as the Autobot Bumblebee. Unlike the previous model, the sixth-generation Camaro departs from the previous model's Zeta platform in favor of General Motors' newly developed Alpha platform, resulting in over 200lb of weight loss compared to the previous model.

A year later, the ZL1 arrived as the flagship variant of the sixth-generation Camaro. It was powered by the same supercharged 6.2L V8 engine from the C7 Corvette Z06, producing 650HP of power and the same amount of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic gearbox. It even comes with Magnetic Ride Control suspension and a standard electronic Limited-Slip Differential.

The ZL1 1LE features the same performance levels as the normal ZL1 but it features aerodynamics inspired by the GT4 racing machine, race-tuned suspension, exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only tires with lightweight forged aluminum wheels, Multimatic DSSV, adjustable front dampers with camber plates, and three-way adjustable rear stabilizer bar, among many others. 

Although it weighs 27kg less than the normal ZL1, the 1LE still packs luxurious features like dual-zone climate control, BOSE audio, and heated/ventilated front seats, and steering wheel.

The ZL1 and its hardcore 1LE equivalent are peak Camaro to the core and by showcasing its legendary world-proven performance, it has been known for fighting around the world from NASCAR to Supercars, even Le Mans recently! This is what made the Camaro a muscle car that can tackle the globe with its racing pedigree Chevrolet worked so hard for and now, here we are, a moment of silence to bid farewell to the Camaro in its absolute final form.

Final form? This isn't even its final form?! By Chevrolet estimates, the ZL1 really is the final form of the sixth-generation Camaro...or perhaps the ZL1 1LE? Anyway, let's bring this debate into motion by tackling the two ZL1s on a one-lap time attack at the Tierra Prospera, determining which one is the true final form of the sixth-generation Camaro. Roll the tape.

And now the results...

ZL1 - 1m13.423s

ZL1 1LE - 1m11.872s

Guess the world's right after all. The ZL1 1LE really is the sixth-generation Camaro's final form. A fitting end.

From NASCAR, Le Mans, Supercars, IMSA, and any other racing disciplines it tackled, the sixth-generation Camaro is a world-proven muscle car in its own right, and as the times come to erase it, rest assured that its everlasting legacy will live on for generations to come.

Like most dramas, there was a BONUS at the end of the episode, and with that, the ZL1 1LE went to the Badlands to showcase its worth as the last Camaro the world's going to see before its demise but before that...

Part stock car, part Grand Sport-class racer, all Emo-licious. Wait, what? Emo-licious? Sounds like Emo has joined the party, huh? Anyway, with the ZL1 1LE has gotten a little E-M-O-T-I-O-N, probably because I should have done with this back in Horizon UK a long time ago when it was featured, our friend Emo wants to take on all comers gathering around the jungle for a friendly race.

My Emo-licious ZL1 1LE's ready for prime time, however, the drizzle appears, meaning this summer-only tires equipped on it won't do any good. In other words, it's not very effective... Don't worry, like Little Miss Emo, the ZL1 1LE is cocky, explosive, and always aggressive in every way, meaning she won't stop until she wins. Such spirit. Anyway, let's get going, girl! For the Camaro's grand finale!

Cocky, explosive, and always aggressive, this is what a sixth-gen Camaro on steroids feels like and in the end, it proved its worth. Guess her Suki-Suki Sensor worked wonders. Fist bump!

Like I said before, the sixth-generation Camaro is a world-proven muscle car in its own right, and as the times come to erase it, rest assured that its everlasting legacy will live on for generations to come.

Thanks for the memories, Chevrolet Camaro. You made us proud.

Forza Motorsport 7: Night out with a 'Maro at Daytona

Last weekend's Daytona is a blast and fans like us get to see the Camaro stock car in action. It's too bad some of the Camaros got caught in the wreckage while some couldn't make it to top where Fusion and Camry stock cars rule the Daytona 500 like grease lightning but thanks to the driver of the #3, history has been made once again and I had a lot of fun watching Chevrolet's newest stock car in action and in fact, I had a chance to drive the one that inspired it round the Daytona track.



Well, not a stock car as such but it's close as the one NASCAR Chevy drivers car get. This is the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and it's based on the sixth-generation Camaro. If you need a little refresher, just listen; The ZL1 returns on the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro as the most powerful of the range while promising to put priorities to hardcore drivers first before everything else with its track-honed dynamics apart from its ferocious speed.

It comes with the same supercharged 6.2L V8 engine from the Corvette C7 Z06, producing 650HP of power and same amount for torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic gearbox. It is capable of reaching a top speed of 202.3mph, faster than the Corvette C7 Z06's 198mph but slower than the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat's 204mph top speed. Performance aside, the Camaro ZL1 comes with Magnetic Ride Control suspension and standard electronic Limited-Slip Differential. As a high-performance muscle car that balances power and dynamics on the road and on the track, the new ZL1 is all business or so they say.

Customers can opt for the hardcore 1LE package which features the same performance as the normal ZL1 but with racing-based suspension and aero technologies, as well as exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only tires. That said, it is capable of lapping the Nurburgring in 7:16.04, faster than the Shelby GT350R.



I know driving the ZL1 on an oval track at Daytona is fun but it's a bit too short for the ladies and gentlemen so instead, I'm savoring the moment at the Sports Car Circuit layout of Daytona just to give a taste of what it feels like to be at home. You might think that just because it's a muscle car, it can only do drag racing, which is sucks if you're facing the likes of a Challenger Hellcat or its powerful Demon equivalent, but no. The ZL1 can get round corners in the way I can't describe it. It may not be as fast as the Hellcat or a Demon but it can outshine them in the corners because of its Nurburgring-honed dynamics, which is upsetting if you're Captain Slow. It maybe Nurburgring-honed but it is a twitchy car and it takes some concentration to get through corners with accuracy, timing, and a bit of luck.



Like I said, it sucks at straights in case of a shootout against the most powerful and fastest Challenger ever made but it's good on corners just like its big brother, the Corvette Z06. Although not on the same level as its Corvette brother, the Camaro ZL1 is all about balancing performance and dynamics in unpredictable patterns. So, now that I had my little pep talk with the ZL1, how about I save the last dance for this ride? Let's dance.





That was the best night the Camaro ZL1 ever had. As long as there are drivers like you are around, this hyper Camaro will be more than happy to face challenges ahead. Who knows, when it comes back to Daytona sometime, it wants to enjoy the competition against the opposition as long as it won't fall victim to the big one. Here's for the ZL1 stock car in future NASCAR races this year.

Forza Horizon 3: A New ZL1!

One of the star highlights of Forza Horizon 3's new Duracell Car Pack, available now, is the brand-new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The flagship variant of the new, sixth-generation Camaro whose supercharged V8 engine makes it the king of Camaros and I got the chance to see what's what.



So, let's talk about the brand-new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 first and since this is the flagship variant of the latest-generation Chevrolet Camaro, some special treatments have to be done to ensure that this new model puts its priorities first like the fat man wanted to put America first before everything. Ahem...So, how about those Republicans? Hold on, did I say something?



The new model sports the same supercharged 6.2L V8 engine from the latest Corvette Z06 producing 650HP of power and the same amount of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The new ZL1 featured in this game is powered by a 6-speed manual gearbox because the producers are not fans of cars with double-digit gearboxes, well save it for the latest Ford F-150 Raptor per se. Anyway, while this is the most powerful Camaro ever made, dynamics are still one of the ZL1's priorities especially when it comes with the Magnetic Ride Control suspension and standard electronic Limited-Slip Differential. As a high-performance muscle car that balances power and dynamics on the road and on the track, the new ZL1 is all business or so they say. Little did you know that the top speed of the new ZL1 is 202.3mph, faster than the Corvette C7 Z06's 198mph but slower than the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat's 204mph top speed.



We now have two kinds of the latest-generation Camaro today but by the time the next installment of the Forza franchise comes, it's clear that the base Camaro SS gets booted out in favor of the more powerful ZL1 and while this is only a hunch, those who are unhappy with too much power the ZL1 possess should switch back to the normal Camaro SS but those who are looking for more challenge should look no further because, for some, they've been wanting to try the new ZL1 by the moment it came out in the market since last year. Sure it may be as potent as its big brother, the Corvette Z06, but it can't stand up to its level because of the challenging dynamics it possesses like most muscle cars do. With practice, you can really show anyone who's in charge of this Festival and pretty soon, this could be your favorite Camaro you can play with all day.

Speaking of which, time to do something special with this new ZL1...





As you can see, I've been rejoined by this familiar design I put on the base Camaro several moments ago. It's a Hibiki Ganaha theme that I made and now, I made it again for the new ZL1 with some minor improvements. Also, it's been specced out to 1LE specifications. The great thing is that the ZL1 1LE comes with a lighter weight and a six-speed manual gearbox so I tried to make sure it acts like one to get the most out of the ZL1. And now, I took it for a little outing against other Camaro drivers everywhere. Time to get the cameras rolling in...



It's almost enough to enjoy driving the new Camaro ZL1 but in case you want to go subliminal, feel free to choose a normal Camaro instead. Either way, it's great to have the latest Camaro joining the Horizon madness with us and with this new ZL1, it's all about the added challenge for those who think a normal Camaro is too easy for them.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible vs. 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible

2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible

This is the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible, which on this spec costs 59,545 US Dollars...

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible

...and this is the new Mustang GT500 Convertible, which in all intentional purposes cost 59,200 US Dollars.

For those who love some speed, power, and a lot of grunt, the GT500 is a better bet because this is now hailed as America's Most Powerful Production Car or better yet, the world's most powerful V8 car, beating out the former V8 king, the Corvette ZR1. On this Convertible version, you'll get the same experiences from the coupe version but with the roof down to enjoy the open air. The GT500 is America's new speed king, meaning that on the straights, the GT500 rules but unlike the GT500 because it relies on such prehistoric suspension even though it was tweaked by SVT, the Camaro ZL1 is much more track-focused thanks to its standard Magnetic Ride Control, standard Performance Traction Management, and standard track-capable equipment such as a rear-differential cooler, brake cooling ducts, and an engine and transmission cooler.

If they were softdrinks, they'll be Coke or Pepsi. If they were girls, they'll be Medaka or Rias....

There's more with these two cars; they're both Americans, they're both muscles, and they're both have roofs made of cloth rather than metal. If you put these two on a drag race, rest assured that thanks to its supercharged 5.8-liter V8 aluminum-block engine produces 662 horsepower and 631 lb.-ft. of torque, the GT500 trounces the ZL1 and its all-aluminum 580HP 6.2L supercharged engine. Even if you switch drivers and do the race again, the results remain the same. It's like Bumblebee being fragged by Eleanor.

Truth be told, the GT500 Convertible is quicker than the ZL1 convertible on a straight line but when placed on racetracks, the results are highly different. Thanks to its SVT-tuned suspension and an additional Track Package that costs them more, the handling feels much more dynamic than the old model. So dynamic, you may found out that this muscle's highly challenging if you're not paying attention. It takes a lot of skill and time to master the GT500's dynamic handling and if you do, you'll find it even more rewarding.

On the ZL1 though, it's still a "Dynamic and Dangerous" muscle car but because of its sophisticated computer wizardry or probably thanks to its standard Magnetic Ride Control or Performance Traction Management, the ZL1 tries to tame its dynamism a little bit further. Despite the ZL1's power output less than the GT500's, I can brake later than the GT500, I can turn harder than the GT500, and that's it. The ZL1's a track-focused muscle car with some added dynamism on it. Let's remember, the coupe version of the ZL1 lapped the Nurburgring at 7:41.27, quicker than the Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SV or even the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

On the subject of muscle car convertibles though, thanks to some strengthening needs, both of these cars are heavier than their hardtop coupe equivalents. A trivia though that with no roof, it all ends up with the engine on the front connected to its steering and suspension goodies by just a floor, just like two volumes of encyclopedias and a piece of paper. It's too wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff if you know what I mean.

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible

The 2013 GT500 Convertible though, I believe that this is much better than the old GT500 Convertible. I'm just saying because there are so many stuff to do better than this includes...late night television, working at a fast-food restaurant, or go on a strike with your officemates. Stuff like that. Even though with major improvements, the convertible GT500 is a lot heavier than the hardtop equivalents and it spoils a lot.

2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible

The hardtop ZL1 is one of the best Chevrolets I've experienced a few months ago but with the convertible ZL1, this is even better. With no roof, you can clearly hear the sound of the 6.2L supercharged engine even better. It sounds like there was a dirty brawl between Nina Williams and Miki Hoshii. That sounds better than this but with such noise, it's hard to notice it and you can't even feel the ZL1 convertible's extra weight. On the race track, both are good but for everyday use, I think the ZL1 is the better bet because on bumpy roads, the ZL1's suspension counterattacks the vibration more than the GT500's.

For a real treat on those convertible muscle cars, get a girl who spend her money on hair rebonding and do some experimenting. Unless your girl had used Rejoice shampoo, your muscle car convertible may end up turning her into a mohawk. Worse, you'll arrive in a black eye...

And that concludes my impressions to the ZL1 and GT500 cabrios. Naming a winner on these two is not that all fun and games because sadly though...well, sorry Mr. JCR Clarkson Esq. for saying your lines...THEY BOTH LOSE.

Photo: General Motors, Ford Motor Company

Perfecting the ZL1 on FM4

Barely Street Legal

Here it is. It's called the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and unlike any other Camaros I've ever driven on the game, it looks different than the standard Camaro and it has the same supercharged 6.2L engine that I'd expect on the Corvette ZR1 but this produces about 580HP of power and 754Nm of torque. It even has the Magnetic Ride Control suspension that I'd expect on the Corvette, Performance Traction Management, Brembo brakes, and loads of extras that the standard Camaro doesn't have. Tell you what, this is the kind of Camaro we like because it maybe the evil twin of Bumblebee but with all that Corvette ZR1 know-how in the body of the Camaro made the ZL1 barely street legal and track-ready muscle car. I'd reckon that it will take on the world's finest in its A-class performance index. Let's find out with a quarter mile drag race between the ZL1 and the finest selection of sportscars from around the world...

The ZL1 got what it deserve because not only it trounced the world's A-class cars on the game but also it humiliates it. The V8-powered Audi R8 may have to think twice about facing against the ZL1. Anyway, if you think that's amazing, hear this; the ZL1 lapped round the Nurburgring in 7:41.27, making it faster than the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.







Now, when the engineers from Chevrolet asked about the ZL1's Nurburgring progress, they even told that they even playing Forza to analyze the Nordschleife's layout, using the virtual as a preparation before lapping the ZL1 round world's most dreadful racetrack of all time that is the Nurburgring. After spending several tests at the Green Hell, what we observed that this known to be the most advanced Camaro ever made. I mean hey, the Chevrolet engineers did mentioned Forza during the testing process but why?

Doesn't matter though that when you compare the ZL1 to its bigger brother, the Corvette ZR1, you'll never realize that how many lessons did this Camaro inherit from the Vette. It's like a noob trying to learn the basics from the vet before setting off to an online deathmatch. It's about as bonkers as....Donna Noble and it's as wild as a wild stallion being chased by a exploding star, kinda scary indeed. He he he.....

ZL1 tries to relax...

There is another thing about this ZL1 because this car is way too dynamic to drive even though it has Magnetic Ride Control. Even though this comes with this cool suspension system, you have to be gentle with it, be kind to it, be nice with it, and don't respond to such brutal actions but even with such suggestions, you'll still end up challenged to regain its grip because like most American muscle cars, the dynamic driving feel makes it a challenging feat. If you're not careful, this car won't get round corners. This was made to be quicker on straight lines and that's it.

Dynamic and dangerous

If you live in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and other countries where right-hand drive cars are allowed, sad to say that don't expect this car to come because there is no right-hand drive muscle cars allowed, well HSV or FPV were Australia's muscles. Anyway, you can't have a muscle car if you live in  Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, India, Pakistan, or others. Don't be an idiot because we do mean it...No right-hand-drive American muscle cars and if that showed up, then you've smuggled it. Period.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Think of this machine as Bumblebee's evil twin because the all new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is positioned as the hardcore version of the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, a modern muscle car that was adorned by many thanks to its popularity as Transformers' Bumblebee. This car is a one-track mind, you can use it on the road or you can use it on the track and this ZL1 promises to be quite a thriller for petrolheads around North America.

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is powered by a Supercharged LSA 6.2L engine that produces about 580bhp of power and 556lb-ft of torque. What's more, it can be mated in two transmission types such as the 6-speed Hydra-Matic 6L90 Automatic Transmission and the Tremec 6-speed manual transmission with a revised short-throw shifter. The Hydra-Matic 6L90 Automatic Transmission comes with a TAPshift mode that reduces delay time and aggressive gear changes, making it smooth and silky as a pair of boxers. The 6-speed MT on the ZL1 comes with a revised short-throw shifter that provides smooth transfer on the engine's power and torque. Okay, when it comes to 0-60m time and flatout, the Camaro ZL1 6AT can go for about 3.9 seconds and 184mph while the Camaro ZL1 6MT can go for about 4.0 seconds and 180mph. By results, it seems that the TAPshift technology on the Hydra-Matic 6L90 transmission means that it can do better than the manual variant but it doesn't matter because it lapped the Nurburgring in 7:41.27, that's quicker than the Lamborghini Murcielago SV! What's the secret of the ZL1's success?

The ZL1's suspension comes with the Magnetic Ride Control, the same feature you've encountered from the Corvette and Australia's Holden HSV range, allowing drivers to change the suspension settings; Tour, Sport and Track, providing magnetorheological fluid for damping levels adjusted up to 1,000 times per second. What provides the handling is the Performance Traction Management that takes advantage of the MRC, Launch Control, Traction Control, and Active Handling systems. It was made for lower inertia and friction, creating a direct steering feel and great response. Also, it comes with a Brembo Brake System that provides stopping power that can get yourself out from the tights.

It may look like Bumblebee but this is the bee's evil twin because of its Mohawk hood air extractor, large lower grille openings, and lower splitter, providing aerodynamics for the ZL1. The interior looks the same as the original model but the steering wheel is derived from the Chevrolet Cruze but it has the words ZL1 on it. It even comes served with red stitching provide contrast on the once dark interior but I like that. Red and black is just a menacing combo on the inside. To enjoy the best in music and information, an available SiriusXM Satellite Radio comes served on the ZL1 and the all new Boston Acoustics Premium Nine-Speaker Sound System gives you a top quality audio experience. Imagine if The Stig listens to something nonsense while driving the ZL1 round the Top Gear Test Track...

Seven colors are available for the ZL1 such as Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Black, Victory Red, Rally Yellow, Inferno Orange Metallic, and Ashen Gray Metallic.

My comment:
I was getting a bit more interested on the ZL1 because it lapped the Nurburgring faster than the Lamborghini Murcielago SV but on such stats, it is hopeless to kick the bumper of the 2013 Shelby GT500. Who cares? This is the kind of Camaro that will leave you completely bonkers and this is somewhat the younger brother of the hardcore Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. With prices start at around $54,995 (or in Top Gear math, about 4.3 million Philippine Pesos), the Camaro ZL1 provides you with the 6.2L supercharged engine, Magnetic Ride Control, 6-speed manual, 20-inch rims, and that's it. This ZL1 is the perfect Camaro royalty for the enthusiasts.

Photo: General Motors