Chevy is giving the people what they want: A Camaro ZL1 1LE with an automatic
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chevy is gearing up to do battle with the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, by adding a few gears to its hardcore Camaro ZL1 1LE.
Up until now, the most track-focused iteration of the 650 horsepower Camaro ZL1 was only available with a six-speed manual transmission, but a 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission will be offered for 2019.
It’s a $1,595 add-on to the $7,500 1LE package, which includes an adjustable suspension with active dampers, wider wheels and tires, stronger Brembo brakes and a big wing and redesigned front end designed to increase downforce at high speeds. The final price is $73,790 and, as a bonus, the car weighs 50 pounds less than a standard ZL1 thanks to some lighter parts and thinner rear window glass.
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Chevy says about 80 percent of all Camaro buyers go for an automatic, so the change alone should broaden the ZL1 1LE’s appeal, but the self-shifting cars are also over a half-second quicker than the manual-equipped versions around GM’s 2.9-mile test track, thanks to the extra gear ratios on tap and quicker gear changes.
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While the current Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 follows the manual-only route, the 700-plus hp GT500 unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show will only come with a seven-speed automatic transmission of the dual-clutch type when it goes on sale this fall, about six months after the 2019 ZL1 1LE starts hitting showrooms in late February.
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