Almost immediately after the unveiling of the striking 2018 1LE ZL1 Camaro, enthusiasts started having a meltdown over the realization that we haven’t been ‘spying’ the Z/28 test mule this whole time. GM had pulled a fast one on us, and the camo-clad Camaro we’ve seen parading around the Nürburgring, and other places, was really the 1LE this whole time. So what does this mean for the Z/28’s future? Don’t panic, nothing has really changed, but we do have some new information to pass along — and it’s good news!
According to Car and Driver, major changes are on the way for the 6th-gen Camaro Z/28. Intel at General Motors has revealed that they are working on a 5.5L V8 engine that will produce 700 horsepower without the help of a supercharger/turbocharger. This engine could possibly fall under the LT6 designation when it appears in the Z/28.
The new engine family is likely to be a dual overhead cam design, with four-valve combustion chambers, direct (possibly in combination with port) fuel injection, a flat-plane crank, and titanium connecting rods. This engine family has already been talked about for the Corvette — the new C7 ZR1 is rumored to be getting a naturally-aspirated 6.2L DOHC V8, dubbed the LT5. This OHC line will eventually power all Camaros, Corvettes, and the sportier Cadillac models.
When will we actually see the Camaro Z/28? Since GM just unveiled the ZL1 1LE as a 2018 model, it might be a while until we see the Z/28 — safe bet is that it will come out as a 2019 model, sometime next year. Then again, GM could surprise us and just drop it into the line for 2018, it’s really anyone’s guess at this point. Given the unexpected 1LE ZL1 drop, it’s smart to stay on your toes when it comes to the Z/28.
Elizabeth is a hardcore horsepower enthusiast with unmatched intensity for making things faster and louder. She wakes up for power and performance and only sleeps to charge up for the next project that’s heading to the track. From autocross to drag racing, Elizabeth is there with you, so stay tuned for her unique perspective on horsepower news, builds, tech info, and installs — with her, it’ll never be boring!
