Camaro fans have reason to celebrate this year. Not only is Chevy planning a big birthday bash for the nameplate's 50th anniversary, but the brand is launching the most powerful production Camaro ever: the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Now, GM has dropped a number of details on the ZL1, along with the high-performance 1LE package, including pricing and performance estimates.

The Camaro ZL1 coupe will start at $62,135, including destination, while the ZL1 convertible will retail for $69,135. The new fixed-roof model starts $4,485 higher than the 2015 Camaro ZL1 coupe. However, the new ZL1 does pump out 650 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V-8, or 70 hp and 84 lb-ft more than the supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V-8 in the previous model. The 2017 ZL1 comes standard with a six-speed manual, but has the option of a new 10-speed automatic transmission that was co-developed with Ford. Meanwhile, the 1LE package will cost $4,500 for Camaro V-6 LT coupes and $6,500 for the V-8 1SS coupe. LT models receive the Camaro SS' FE3 suspension while 1LE SS models get the ZL1's FE4 Magnetic Ride suspension and electronic limited-slip differential.

© Provided by MotorTrend 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 homepage

In addition to pricing, GM revealed its performance estimates for the ZL1 and 1LE. When equipped with the available 10-speed automatic, the ZL1 will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and finish the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds at 127 mph. In our testing, a previous-generation ZL1 hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Just as the standard sixth-gen Camaro lost weight switching to the Alpha platform, the ZL1 slims down by 220 pounds compared to the previous model.

Camaros equipped with the 1LE package don't improve much acceleration-wise, with 0-60 mph estimated at 5.2 seconds for V-6 models and 4.2 seconds with the V-8. Handling, however, does improve. GM estimates the LT 1LE is capable of 0.97 g, while the SS 1LE can pull 1.02 g. The SS 1LE can stop from 60 mph in 107 feet, matching the ZL1's braking performance. The LT 1LE needs a little more room at 112 feet, according to GM.

The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the 1LE performance package arrive later this year.

Source: GM

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