[Quinten_33]

The Corvette isn't going Mid-engine to beat Ferraris, and the Gen 6 Camaro has a lot of years left on the market. Chevy has to release at least one more Camaro model before the next generation to keep up sales and competitiveness. It has to slot in between the SS 1LE and ZL1 or above the ZL1 1LE, and it has to fit the Camaro image. What does that leave? A naturally aspirated, super-lightweight, track ready Z/28 is the most logical answer. They could take a ZL1 1LE, strip out all of the comforts/electronics to make it light and cheap, and toss in a 427 or cammed LT1 to fill the $55,000 range. They could also do the same but use lighter materials as well, and maybe a better engine, and sell it as the top-of-the-line Camaro. Al said that there was more left in the tank, and we all know that there can't be a new Camaro model for three or four consecutive model years. The Corvette team is going mid-engine to give the Camaro more space, and that opens the door for the Camaro to push the limits of its layout.

[Wheel Team 6]

I anticipated these revelations early last year. With that being said I ordered an SS and I'm building it the way I want it to be. By the time a z/28 arrives it will be out of the realm of my possibilities. By then I'll have my car done. If they make it I'll smile and wonder what if I waited but in the meantime I was tired of waiting. GM seems to have axed the zr1 & z/28 for the time being. I tend to believe if it comes it will be in 2019 along the same timeframe as the zr1.

GM does weird stuff. The 4th gen z28 wasn't anything special and to get a special zl1 you had to be ultra lucky and wealthy. Now we're all watching gen6 Camaros come with 1le options for the 4 banger and v6 as with the v8 and now they released a zl1 with only a manual trans in the beginning with the a10 delayed now a 1lezl1 which seems to have taken the place of the Z/28 kinda like the zo6/zo7 took the place of the zr1. I for one would love to see a 7 litre lt5 making 550-600 na hp in a super light gen 6 with full cc brakes and true z/28 heritage. I think a lot of people want to see that. We'll have to see what the future holds.

[ron scubadiver]

I think it's a fair bet no Z/28 in 2017 or 2018.

[Mark114]

Still seems like a Z/28 is a possibility for 2018. Start with the ZL1 1LE and replace the LT4 with the new LT5. Maybe some of the same tricks as last Z/28 to reduce weight. The question is if there is enough market for another iteration.

[Lafourche1]

Originally Posted by Mark114

Still seems like a Z/28 is a possibility for 2018. Start with the ZL1 1LE and replace the LT4 with the new LT5. Maybe some of the same tricks as last Z/28 to reduce weight. The question is if there is enough market for another iteration.

Too narrow a difference. I think the ZL1 1LE signaled the end of the Z28 for the near future. Who knows in 4 or 5 years.

[detltu]

I think we will get one, but it will be toward the tail end of the 6th gen.

[Tim Adams]

The Corvette is going mid-engine to beat Ferrari and Porsche and Ford. With Corvette it is all about winning Le Mans.

[WhyUMad1LE]

1LE borrows from the model above in this generation. ZL1 1LE previews the Z/28 chassis.

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by Mark114

Still seems like a Z/28 is a possibility for 2018. Start with the ZL1 1LE and replace the LT4 with the new LT5. Maybe some of the same tricks as last Z/28 to reduce weight. The question is if there is enough market for another iteration.

I think the question then becomes where does it fit and at what price range?

If you go buy last gen the Z/28 was top tier in terms of performance.

Even if it is lighter, would a Z/28 with less power be able to out run the ZL1 1LE?

Or does it slot in between the SS 1LE and the ZL1? but is there room for say 55-60K Camaro before the ZL1?

[NemesisC5]

Chevy is building a Mid Engine car however it will not replace the front engine Corvette. The huge Bowling Green expansion is adding a line and tooling for a Mid Engine halo car priced well above the average Corvette owner income bracket similar to what Ford has done with the GT (although likely not that expensive). Speculation....the new car will be named the "Zora" and will not associate with any past RPO codes or monikers like ZR1, ZO6, etc... Far too many loyal customers in the Corvette demographic to change the car completely and raise price. There is far less risk less building a Mid Engine Halo Car cutting no corners and selling to those that have the extra disposable income to add one to their garage next to the GT3 RS, Huracan, Gallardo, 458, etc...

The upcoming Corvette C8 will likely again be front engine pushrod V8 with enhanced aero, cooling, handling, lighter weight, etc...

My $0.02 FWIW

[cmancha003]

Originally Posted by WhyUMad1LE

1LE borrows from the model above in this generation. ZL1 1LE previews the Z/28 chassis.

That is what it looks like. If they were to reduce weight (not strip), and add to the ss platform, it should be really good. Would need to either add power or make it "wide body" like the zl1 to justify the price difference slotted between zl1 and ss.

[Supercup]

Originally Posted by shaffe

I think the question then becomes where does it fit and at what price range?

If you go buy last gen the Z/28 was top tier in terms of performance.

Even if it is lighter, would a Z/28 with less power be able to out run the ZL1 1LE?

Or does it slot in between the SS 1LE and the ZL1? but is there room for say 55-60K Camaro before the ZL1?

These are great questions: Here is my take - assuming a new 550hp+ NA motor is developed and GM is using it as a marketing tool for the Camaro brand.

1. Price range - Z/28 will be top priced Camaro which will limit total sales - just like Gen 5, but at end of life cycle GM won't care if using it as a marketing tool to build the brand.

2. Z will not outrun a ZL1 in a straight line, but will bury it on a road course lap after lap - so if you define outrun as lap times, it will - if you define it as straight line street performance - it will not.

Z/28 will be at end of Gen 6 run - will be a "limited" run car like it was in 2014/15 - will appeal to a small crowd of track junkies only, so they won't sell that many as most will look at ZL1 for less and say it costs too much and ZL1 is better street car.

But the car magazines will love it and rave about it and GM will get a ton of press and show they can beat the now aging GT350R. The buyers will be the true track guys who will pay the premium and the guys who got to have the latest and greatest and have the resources to stroke a check to have it.

Which begs the question is selling 1,801 Z/28's (Gen 5 production) enough to get major marking bang for the buck that builds the Camaro brand result in enough Camaro's sales across the line because of it? Bean counters (all due respect to you accountants) will say no way, Motorsport department will say absolutely - so it will be up to the suits to decide! Hope they vote in our favor.

[NemesisC5]

Unless we see an NA version of track focused Corvette the odds are against a Z28. Although the new LT1/535 crate motor was not designed to pass emissions testing I'm fairly confident GM's engineers could produce an emissions compliant version with 550+ HP. The crate LT1/535 has a unique block casting, CNC'd cylinder heads, oiling system, etc.. but the majority of components are from the parts bin. If you've never read the story behind the LS7 I suggest you'll find it a good read if you run across it. If I knew where to find it again I would post the link.

Found the story, the link takes you to page 3 where the story begins to focus on "where to start" and up through the life of the LS7 including valve guide issues...

Ruthtless Pursuit of Power

[Dubchitts]

I kinda feel like their going to milk the 1le thing. My guess is the z/28 won't be the most badass....the z/28 1le will be. Just my guess