Muscle News
HSV announces manual RHD Camaros and the ZL1 performance agship.
The availability of manual transmissions and the ZL1 high-performance model – that’s the big news from HSV’s 2019 Camaro model lineup announcement. With its supercharged 6.2-litre LT4 V8 delivering 480kW and around 860Nm (HSV is yet to con rm the nal torque gure), ZL1’s performance will be in the realm of HSV’s previous agship, the GTSR-W1.
It should also shape up nicely against Ford’s new limited-edition supercharged Mustang, or indeed even Premcar’s just-launched Falcon ‘Holy Grail’ 483kW upgrade.
The ZL1 model – which celebrates its 50th birthday this year – is the fastest, most powerful Camaro GM offers. Expect the Australian righthand drive version to reach 100km/h off the standing start in 3.5 seconds along the way to clocking the 400m in mid-11s.
All that performance comes at a hefty price – $159,990 for the six-speed manual version (plus on-road costs), with the 10-speed automatic version adding another $2200. To put it into perspective, however, that’s $10K less than HSV was asking for the limited-edition GTSR W1 (the nal home-grown Holden-based HSV produced), and that ‘only’ had 474kW and 815Nm. Just 300 ZL1s will be available – the same number as the GTSR W1.
The new 10-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission boasts Custom Launch Control and Line-Lock (which allows for the brakes to be applied to the front wheels – basically this is ‘burnout mode’). As was the case with the old eight-speeder, the auto version is quicker pointto-point than the manual. For those wanting the old school experience of a conventional manual, however, getting there a tenth or two slower will not matter in the slightest.
Then again, in the right hands the Tremec TR3160 six-speed manual ‘box, assisted by active rev-matching and launch control, is capable of showing the auto a clean pair of heels on the track. Racing driver Randy Pobst back-to-backed 10-speed auto and six-speed manual Camaros at Willow Springs Raceway in California recently and found the manual to be about three-tenths of a second quicker per lap.
The ZL1 model comes with Magnetic Ride Control dampers, electronic limited-slip diff, Brembo performance brakes with six-piston monobloc front callipers and huge 390mm twopiece front rotors, bi-modal exhaust and 20-inch 10 split-spoke forged alloy wheels ( nished in ‘Dark Graphite’).
Externally the ZL1 is distinguished from the 2SS by HID headlights, larger grille openings and front splitter, unique carbon- bre composite bonnet, and wing-style rear spoiler.
Inside, the ZL1 has Recaro front seats with black leather, red accents and sueded micro- bre inserts, a sueded at-bottom steering wheel and gear shift, and alloy pedals.
To expand its Camaro range in such dramatic fashion, with the inclusion of the ZL1 just months after it went on sale with its rst ‘remanufactured’ Camaros, is a bold move on the part of HSV.
“HSV has a history steeped in highperformance and the upgrades to the 2SS model,” HSV managing director Tim Jackson said, “and the introduction of the ZL1 – the most powerful performance Camaro available in the world — really sing to HSV’s heritage.
“We’re con dent the GM faithful, and performance enthusiasts generally, will be delighted with our latest move.”
HSV’s 2019MY 2SS Camaro model also comes with a manual transmission option as well as the 10-speed auto (replacing last year’s eight-speeder). Pricing starts at $86,990 for the 2SS with the six-speed manual; the 10-speed paddle-shift automatic version starts at $89,190 (plus on-road costs). HSV expects the auto 2SS to account for about two-thirds of the 1000 MY19 Camaros it plans to convert.
The manual gearbox option is the big news as far as the ‘regular’ 2SS Camaro is concerned, but
it’s not the only thing that’s new. The MY19 2SS has new front-end styling with a revised front fascia with blacked-out grille, reshaped dualelement LED headlights, functional extractorstyle bonnet, ‘ ow-tie’ open bow-tie grille emblem, new rear fascia, LED tail-lights and new vespoke 20-inch silver alloy wheels.
Inside, there’s the new Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with 8.0-inch touch-screen, rear camera mirror and head-up display. In includes forward collision alert, but not auto-braking.
The 6.2-litre Gen V LT1 V8 remains unchanged, delivering 339kW and 617Nm.
“With the extensive styling upgrades, the availability of two transmission options including the 10-speed paddle-shift auto, plus the addition of innovative new technologies like the rear camera mirror, we’re con dent our customers will recognise the tremendous value inherent in the MY19 2SS Camaro”, said Tim Jackson.
Manual Camaro buyers will have to wait some months, because while HSV’s production (or ‘remanufacture’) of the MY19 Camaros kicked off in March, the auto versions of both the 2SS and ZL1 are being done rst. The rst 2SS autos are being converted now, set to be followed later in April by the auto versions of the ZL1. Production of 2SS manual models starts in May, with the ZL1 manual following in June.