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I have to admit that I was slightly dreading my road test with the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Don’t get me wrong here, I was excited to find myself behind the wheel of this 580 horsepower beast, but I had some concerns about my ability to control all that power. How would the ZL1 behave on the road? Was it a car that was well suited for the everyday use, or should I wait until the roads are cleared before venturing out of my driveway?
Review Overview
Interior - Style - 90%
Interior - Space - 95%
On the road - Comfort - 65%
On the road - Enjoyment - 75%
On the road - Performance - 65%
Fuel Economy - 85%
Winter - 90%
81%
Overall
The goal of the road test is to assess the abilities of the Camaro ZL1 for the everyday drive. And although the track is its natural habitat, most owners of this steroid-induced Camaro will rarely drive it on a race track. It’s a simple reality that applies to all high performance cars that are often bought to impress.
So here we are in our vibrant yellow 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible. If the colour of the car was not quite “did you see it?!” enough, there is this incredible beast-of-an-engine roar to be experienced the moment you turn the key in the ignition. The 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine wakes up with a real head-turner of a grunt.
At this point, it’s a beautiful sunny day. Why not take down the top? To do this, you must firmly grasp the latch in front of the mirror to unlock the roof. After that, it’s an automatic 20-second wait. Once the top is down, you’ll realize that the ZL1 is a noisy car, even when stopped at a red light. The sound is actually not unpleasant, especially if you’re a fan of classic muscle cars.
Before venturing off into the traffic, I wanted to get accustomed to this beast, and so I moseyed around the streets leading towards one of the major highways in the city. My first observation? My concerns were unsupported. The accelerator is easily adjustable and the car showed a beautiful agility when driving at a low speed. With the top down, visibility is perfect all around the car. Be careful when exiting a driveway, however, because the ZL1 is incrediby low.
My second observation? Don’t be embarassed if you’re driving a Camaro ZL1, especially if your convertible is yellow. Here we are waiting at a traffic light when the young man to our right snapped a photo of the car with his phone. A slight smile, thumbs up, and here we go again.
The acceleration of the Camaro ZL1 pedal seems to be designed for three levels . When applying a retained amount of pressure, the low speed cast offs are possible without the shriek. They’re smooth and reassuringly linear. The moment you apply a bit of pressure, you can hear the engine activating, and all of a sudden the driver is pushed forward from the pressure much like when in a genuine sports car. However, the ZL1 is more than just that.
It’s also 580 horsepower delivered to the rear wheels . Therefore, it’s expected to exceed most authentic sports cars, that is if you shove your foot against the gas pedal and pin it to the floor. Be warned, however, because the Camaro will bare its teeth.
At this point, the rear wheels are struggling to hold onto the pavement, and so threaten to stall at any time, even when in a straight line. The driver pushes the car forward with such force that both hands must firmly grip the wheel with an undivided attention.
The Camaro ZL1 will crush most other cars on the road from one traffic light to the next. It’s also not something to be done with arrogance. All that power should be respected, with the ability to hold back when necessary.
Once you’re out of the urban jungle, it’s time to see how the Camaro ZL1 is able to navigate around a winding road. Again, this will depend on your skills as a driver, and especially your judgement. The Performance Traction Management system (PTM) offers five driving modes ranging from the safest to the more extreme. These five modes modify the parameters of the stability and traction control to determine their level of involvement. It’s also possible to modify the handling and suspension parameters to obtain a sportier or more comfortable ride.
When the Camaro ZL1 is at the first level of PTM, the active safety systems are more sensitive and prevent inexperienced drivers from ending up in the hospital. However, know that it’s still possible for the rear axle to lift even at level 1. As the levels rise, it becomes ever so important to understand the basics of high quality driving. If you lack the level of experience required, it’s best to leave the PTM at 1.
If you’re a seasoned driver, be aware that the ZL1 is able to compete with the most exotic cars in terms of handling and stability when driving at high speeds in the curves. The Camaro ZL1 is a fairly heavy car. This weight has the effect of somewhat interfering with the agility of the car when on a circuit.
We were surprised to note that the Camaro ZL1 is a fairly comfortable car for the everyday drive, thanks specifically to the magnetic suspension. Of course, you will feel more of the bumps and potholes when in a Camaro SS or V6, but it’s not a car to make you wince everyday.
Conclusion
If you’re buying a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible, its to strut it about with the intention of being noticed/ looking good. Those who want raw performance from the car will opt for the coupe. The good news is that the ZL1 Convertible is a car that is well-suited for everyday use.
The suspension is firm but tolerable, and the engine is noisy, but the sound is nice, and the car is spacious enough in front to accommodate drivers of a large size. However, the trunk is tiny, the rear seats are useless, and visibility is horrible when the top is up. Also, keep in mind the power available to you under your right foot. It’s not quite the car you’ll allow your son to take out on a Friday night.
2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible gallery
