More Z28 Spy Photos: LSA Engine Confirmed
Camaro5 did it again and got their hands on some very very incredible photos of the Z28. This time, too, they got more than your standard spy photos. The most recent set of images show the engine of the new Z28 proto-type, as well as a better look at the hood on it. There's even a bit of the read end, where it looks like some sort of modified Camaro body kit will be installed. The images look great, and show the LSA engine in all of its glory.
The LSA, is, of course, a complete and total beast. Manufactured for the CTS-V originally, the LSA is a supercharged 6.2L engine which puts out 556 HP and 551 LB-Torque. The Camaro isn't guaranteed to have the same HP and Torque numbers as the CTS-V, but they'll be similar, so that's exciting. Those sorts of numbers should make the Z28 well above its Mustang and Challenger counter-parts so far as performance is concerned. It will definitely be the best looking of the group, too.
The 6.2L Supercharged LSA 556HP Monster
A Spy of the Potential Camaro Z28 Hood from Beneath - Notice Double Heat Extractor Rows
The Camo Wrap Around the Bumper Suggests Greater Changes will Occur in That Area
Notice the Gorgeous Blue Color on this Tester. This is the first image we've seen of a Z28 not in Red. The Blue is a gorgeous medium tone, and looks great on the Camaro. Imagine that with white stripes!
Camaro Z28 Spied Again: This time in Skimpier Camoflage
The Z28 Prototypes are apparently everywhere! Another one was spied this past week, and Camaro 5 was able to get a hold of the photos. The images look awesome, as the camo on the Z28 in these images reveals a little more car than we've seen from the Z28 before. In these images the active hood scoops are very obvious. It appears that the Z28 hood will have one large front air inlet scoop and four smaller ones behind that. We imagine these are there to keep air flowing over the Supercharged engine so it runs at peak performance. In these images more of the front grilles is visible than before, and they look mean. One of the bigger changes visible in these images is the front lip spoiler. It appears to be an all carbon-fiber front air dam, which extends pretty aggressively far outwards from the bumper. I imagine the large, aggressive, styling is purposefully done for an increased net downforce. The last obviously visible change are the 20-inch 5-spoke wheels. The gunmetal black on them is gorgeous, and the Goodyear Eagles wrapping them are premiere tires. Behind the wheels, the brakes appear to be identical to those used on the CTS-V. I'm curious as to the head-light design, because they've been very purposeful about covering them up thus far. It appears they're arranged differently behind that screen, but ultimately how, I don't know. I imagine they're probably HIDs, which would be a very nice touch. Hopefully we'll see more revealed about this Camaro Z28 build as time continues, and I can not wait to see the first ones hit dealerships.
Eric Berry Camaro and More Z28 Test Photos
The first bit of news concerns the twin-supercharged 1200 HP Camaro that Eric Berry, the new Kansas City safety out of Tennessee, had built for himself. When originally selected by the Chiefs, Berry was ushered to a press conference. There he was asked what he wanted to do. His response was, very coolly, "I really just want to get the 2010 Camaro. I love Chevy." Now, I imagine Eric was probably paid a little something to say this, but he later rang true on this promise. Eric recently received his own custom, $139,000 Camaro, to add him to the growing list of celebrities driving around in America's favorite muscle car. And now, you too can have an Eric Berry Camaro for just $139,000. At his newly created website, www.eb29.com, Eric Berry goes in to great detail about what it took to create his custom Camaro from start to finish, and the process is pretty impressive. At the end of the Camaro page, he is asked why he loves Camaros, and writes:
"On the field, I like for my game to speak for itself. I think Camaros and I share similar qualities...they are fast, powerful, stylish and tough without trying too hard. That's my style. I've always loved Camaros and I'm excited to be a part of this project with National Speed, Inc. I'm especially proud that proceeds from the sale of the NZ-1200EB will benefit my foundation so that kids can have safe places to play and compete. Check back for progress on the NZ1200-EB, I'm excited to show you the finished product."
So see, you can put some $$ in Eric's pockets and help the kids at the same time! In all honesty, Eric's Camaro is pretty awesome and worth a look.
Moving past that, a Camaro5 Forum member recently found himself the beneficiary of a "right place, right time" situation when, driving through the streets of Coronado, he came across a pack of Camaro test mules. Leading the pack were two Z28 mules with camo hoods that appear to be hiding some sort of massive hood cowl. The vehicles look great (as is to be expected) and definitely do a good job of showing off how great the Camaro can look. I just can't wait until the Z28 is out and available to the public.
Camaro Z28 Artist Rendering
We've seen the spy photos of the Z28 thus far, and it looks pretty awesome. Using those, artist Jon Sibal put together a rendition of what the Z28's front end most likely looks like. You can make out some angles and details in the spy photos, and obviously Mr. Sibal used those same cues in the rendering he has put together. It's a good looking car that doesn't venture far from the standard Camaro styling, which is an absolute plus. Now, we just have the performance numbers to truly speculate on!
Transformers 3: Bumblebee Camaro
A lot of images and videos have been leaking from the Michael Bay filming of Transformers 3, but these here of the Camaro are some of the cooler ones. Great pictures and videos of the new Camaro, which supposedly shares a lot of traits with the new Z28. Worth a look, to see the Camaro, even though after the second Transformers film, there's not much about this movie that excites me. Here are some cool videos, check them out and I hope you enjoy!
Camaro Z28: It’s Real.
If you've read any articles of mine concerning the possibility of a Z28 before, you've noticed just how skeptical I have always been. Well, today, I drop that skepticism completely and trade it in for a nice set of unbridled optimism! The Camaro Z28 is very, very, real, and we now have spy shots of a tester to prove it.
Captured out in the wild running comparison tests with other Camaros and a Mustang GT 500, these images show a beautiful, supercharged, 6.2L, automatic transmission machine in full spy car camo. Even through the camo, the very large front intake screens are obvious. Couple that with the more aggressive front chin spoiler, rear diffuser, and quad-exit exhaust system (also the bad-ass black 5-spoke 20" wheels), and you have got a gorgeous looking vehicle there.
The knowledge that this is a Supercharged 6.2L V8 also leads to some speculation. We can safely assume that it's not an LS9, as that monster is reserved for the ZR1 and the ZR1 only. The LSA, with its 556BHP, seems very likely though, as that number puts it right in line with the 550HP Mustang GT500, against which it is being tested. It could of course be a new Supercharged LS3 or LS99, but it seems more likely, with the LSA on the books, they would use that powerhouse for the Camaro Z28. If they are, that's great news, as reviews for that engine are fantastic. With the wide-open quad exhaust on the Camaro as well, and some tuning, they've probably got a few extra Horsies out of the LSA past what the Cadillac version of it was pushing. All in all, this news is incredibly exciting, and leads itself to wonderful dreams and worthwhile speculation. So, what do you think?
Maybe this Z28 Thing is Real this time…
Well, according to the usually reliable MotorTrend, when interviewing the GM VP of Global Engineering he recently divulged that the Camaro Z28 would be a real thing. It seems that Karl Stracke is filling in the shoes of the old Bob Lutz and giving up GM's secrets to the media. Stracke's a pretty interesting character himself, as he drives a Corvette Grand Sport as his daily driver and rides a Harley, and is by no means afraid to speak his mind. He recently spoke out against the Cobalt, calling it "horrible" and questioning how it ever passed multiple departments and was considered a good idea.
Well, Stracke also spoke his mind in a number of other ways recently. He claimed that the Camaro Z28, and Next-Gen Camaro as well, would be utilizing the new GM Alpha-Platform. Having his confirmation of the definitive nature of the Z28's future is definitely a good thing for all of us Camaro fans, as anything less than that up to now could reasonably be considered ridiculous postulating from less than informed sources (I've been very very skeptical of all the various Z28 reports up to now, as they tend to be various forum members from one website or another claiming they know a guy who knows a guy who saw a tester, or something similar). Going beyond this, Stracke also talked about how Cadillac is gunning directly for BMW, saying that they don't want to settle for being anything less than the top-dog. He said that in reaching for this, they're making moves across the entirety of GM to improve their interior style and design, and to take cues from the Audi line of vehicles in that department. Stracke also stated that engineers were currently discussing a potential Hybrid Diesel or Rotary for the next-generation Chevy Volt.
All in all, pretty interesting information from an interesting character, and a seemingly solid admission of proof to the future of the Camaro and the Z28.
GM Reworking Camaro Interior for 2012
From Camaro5:
"A GM insider confirmed for us that the company is hard at work now on a substantially reworked interior for the Camaro that will appear for the 2012 model year. He couldn't/wouldn't list all of the changes, but did mention that most of the upgrading work will go into the dash and specifically that big expanse of blackness in front of the passenger.
Also new for the 2012 will be a little something called the Camaro Z28. Perhaps you've heard of it once (or a million times) before. Why wait until the 2012 model year? Our source says so it doesn't step on the toes to the convertible which will be the Camaro's "big news for 2011."
Well, I'd absolutely believe that the interior would be reworker for 2012, as with the HUD and other touches they've already started on this, and it is one of the few places that people have complaints with the vehicle at all. Where I get hung up though is with yet another promise from some unknown, unnamed source that we will have a Z28 at some point in time. We keep hearing this, and every single one makes me more and more skeptical. Until GM gives an official notice that they will definitely be making a Z28 and here's the release date, I won't hold my breath. I want to see one, very badly, GM so help me out with that!
More news on Z28 Potential
Maybe those pictures from a few weeks back were the real deal, I myself am still skeptical, but more rumours are flying in about the return of the Z28. According to one Camaro5 Forums member, a friend working in a GM driveshaft supply house had an order placed for a dozen Camaro driveshafts built for higher HP output. He calls them Z/28 driveshafts, but I imagine they have no official title yet and are in fact driveshafts designed for the Camaro body proportions and built withstand 500+ horsepower. That's normally how these machine housing orders come through. A new driveshaft, possibly to fit the LSA from the CTS-V? Maybe for a new iteration of a different engine model? Perchance a non-naturally aspirated LS3 with a higher output? Only time will tell, but for now we have a "friend of a friend" report towards the increased performance driveshaft for the Camaro.
Here's the actual post from the Camaro5 Forums:
Is this the Z28, or just another impostor?
Well, word has been going around the Camaro community the last couple of days that the official Z28 test car has been spotted. Everyone from Camaro5 to Camaro Forums to Insideline and GMInsideNews, but I wanted to hold off for any sign that it was more official. Thus far, it appears that everyone is basing their information off of the Camaro5 report, so I figured instead of just regurgitating their information, I'd try and do some further investigation to see if there exists any validity behind this statement.
Camaro5 reported that the test vehicle seen in their images sported the LSA 6.2L Supercharged V8, which would be consistent with what Chevrolet themselves were saying would be in the Z28... exactly one year ago. The stipulation was though, one year ago, that the Z28 would not begin any sort of production or testing run until Chevrolet and GM had their financial situation in a better place. Over the last year the Camaro itself has almost single-handedly saved Chevy, while GM has trimmed a lot of their unnecessary fat as a means of cutting their overhead. It seems logical then that in that year's time this vehicle went ahead in production, although maybe a little premature. We know, from what vehicle history has shown us, that vehicles need multiple months to begin their testing phases, and a few more afterwards for production. What that means is that the choice to move ahead with the Z28 would had to have been made maybe 3 or 4 months ago to be at a place where test mules are running today. GM's end of the year numbers would not have been calculated at that point, nor would the Camaro final year sales numbers, but it could be assumed that GM would have been the incredible rate at which the Camaro was selling and made this decision. I say that, based on this, it's entirely possible that the test mule seen was the Z28, but not ultimately probable.
To further complicate the probability as to whether or not the test mule spotted was, in fact, the Z28 is the simple matter that GM and Chevy have been very candid about the Camaro and what their doing with it as time has progressed. A year ago they said they wanted to make the Z28, and said that they wanted it to happen in the not too distant future. They were also candid about their financial situation. They were then candid about Camaro convertible production beginning, well before test mule shots of that were ever seen. When first starting the Camaro production run, the public was getting consistent updates as to what the Camaro itself would entail. They were not keeping secrets then. So, with all of the truthfulness they've offered up to the public concerning the Camaro in the past, why now go to a more secretive nature? I can't imagine any solid reasons. Maybe they want to continue to promote Camaro SS sales, and think that announcing a Z28 production run would cause those to slow while people wait for the Z28, but I can't see that happening logically. If anything, Z28 announcements would mean more publicity for their powerhouse seller sports coupe. Also, because of the Z28's obviously higher price tag, it seems that the majority of the potential Z28 buyers are in a different economic group or class than those driving or looking to drive SS Camaros today. I can't imagine how GM would benefit from keeping the Z28 private, as they say in business "No press is bad press", and the Z28 is nothing but press.
Here are some images of the vehicle that was spotted, maybe you can tell me what you think or how you feel about it. Does it seem reasonable to assume that this is the Z28? There's no Ram Air hood, which is typically indicative of the Z28. The styling just feels off, it doesn't seem that there's enough here to differentiate this Camaro from any other SS on the road (which isn't a bad thing, b/c the SS is a damn beautiful car).
If I were to put a probability on this, I'd say its maybe 40% likely that this is the Z28. The people providing the info seem genuine enough in their belief of it, but something just doesn't seem right. The sudden secretive nature of GM, the all too soon timing of a mule, and the lack of traditional Z28 styling all lead me to believe that we're (sadly) not seeing the Z28 yet. Here's to remaining optimistic towards the Camaro future though, and hoping that I'm wrong and this is the Z28 and the world will soon be graced with its presence.
Click thumbs for jump to large, hi-res images:
