Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible goes official

Hot on the heels of the Camaro ZL1 coupe debut earlier this month, Chevrolet has now unveiled the drop-top version of the sports car.

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible features a colour-coded folding soft top that stows behind the rear seats. Like the coupe, the open-top Camaro ZL1 gets an aggressive makeover with new upper and lower grille opening, distinctive bonnet with carbon fibre insert and heat extractor, larger front splitter, wider front fender, unique rockers and rear spoiler.

Chevrolet claims the drop-top Camaro ZL1 will offer “comparable performance” to the coupe thanks to the Camaro’s rigid architecture, despite “few minor structural differences”.

Under the bonnet of the convertible is the same 6.2-litre supercharged LT4 V8 engine found in the coupe. The small-block V8 churns out 470kW and 868Nm of torque. It is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a new 10-speed automatic transmission with a 7.39 overall ratio – the first GM product to feature this transmission.

It also features a Custom Launch Control, performance traction management, an electronic limited-slip differential, Driver Mode Selector and dual-mode exhaust.

The car rolls on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tyres measuring 285/30ZR20 at the front and 305/30ZR20 at the rear. To rein in the power, the ZL1 is equipped with Brembo brakes with six-piston mono block front calipers and 390mm two-piece front rotors.

Inside, the Camaro ZL1 convertible is suitably decked out with Recaro front seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and gear shift knob,both of which is wrapped in suede.