Camaro’s Comeback with the Z/28
The dream car of every 1970s teenage boy is making a comeback! Chevrolet has unveiled the 2014 Camaro Z/28, which is faster and lighter than a standard Camaro and designed to hit the racetrack. The 2014 model will be the first Z/28 sold in over a decade by Chevy. The Z/28, which debuted in 1967 and was last sold in 2002, has been reengineered for 2014. At 3,800 pounds, it’s about 100 pounds lighter than a standard Camaro. Designed for the racetrack, the new Corvette features a powerful V-8 engine and bigger brakes. As a trade-off, however, it omits a few standard comforts, coming with manual transmission only, a one-speaker radio and slightly stiffer seats. There’s also less sound insulation, and air conditioning is optional.
On the other hand, it’s a much more aerodynamic vehicle than the standard Camaro, and the suspension can handle bumpy roads surprisingly well. The brake rotors are also made of carbon and ceramics, instead of heavier steel, providing more flexibility and comfort for the driver. Chevrolet’s engineers made sure to freshen up the Camaro’s profile for 2014, reshaping the front and rear to make it more modern and athletic-looking.
Under the hood
The 2014 Camaro Z/28’s 7-liter (427-cubic-inch) V-8 engine puts out more than 500 horsepower, and is said to have excellent zero to 100 km/h time. A six-speed manual transmission with close gear range gives the driver precise control over the engine’s speed and range. This is a car that harkens back to the glory days of Chevrolet and will be fast and very fun to drive. It’s sure to be a popular conversation topic amongst professionals with automotive training in Toronto.
On the outside, Chevrolet has improved aerodynamics by adding fender flares over the wheels, which reduces wind drag, as well as a rear spoiler and extended panels at the bottom of the doors. Inside, there’s a new matte-metallic finish on the trim. The flat-bottomed steering wheel and standard Recaro seats are more supportive for the race track. In order to save weight, the front seats don’t have power adjustments.
Wider turning range
The tires on the 2014 Camaro Z/28 are robust and massive summer-only tires ideal for lateral motions, like corner entry and exit. The lightweight carbon rotors, paired with fixed, monoblock calipers, are capable of impressive stopping power and heat toleration, which is ideal for track use. Compared to similar-sized two-piece steel rotors, the lightweight and large carbon calipers also save about 22 pounds, a remarkable feat of engineering, and something professionals with automotive careers in Toronto are sure to appreciate.
The new Camaro is one of the first production cars to feature race-proven spool-valve dampers. The spool-valve damper allows 4-way adjustment to precisely tune settings for high-speed and low-speed wheel motions. The wider tuning range dramatically increases the Camaro Z/28’s reaction time without significantly impacting ride quality.
Students of mechanic courses in Toronto, how do you feel about the new Camaro?
