MotorMouths

That the ZL1 is the best Camaro ever is perhaps not a huge surprise. That it’s a damned fine all-around GT car is a little more shocking. With the ZL1, General Motors has made the Camaro into a true GT car—daily driver, long-range missile, and track-day special all in one.

The ZL1 is the horsepower king of the pony cars. In some respects it’s a bargain, and when you consider its civility, quite an achievement. It’s remarkable for its mix of everyday civility and track capability.

Not much for cabin tech or fuel economy, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is more show car and weekend racer than everyday driver.

The Camaro ZL1 is a big heavy coupe and its in-your-face retro styling isn’t likely to connect with many Gen Y buyers. But what was once just another retro-styled muscle car aimed at pot-bellied men across America is now a fire-breathing supercar.

The ZL1 Convertible isn’t exactly cheap. But you get a hell of a car for the money. Are you willing to give up a bit of raw acceleration and handling quality to feel super cool in your convertible? If the answer is yes, then this car may be for you. That is, as long as you are a fan of its comic book looks, of course.

If you want the most outrageous, most fun Camaro, you really cannot go wrong with the ZL1. Were it not for the engine noise, the subcompact-sized back seat, and fuel consumption, I could see myself driving one of these every day.

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is yet another excellent performance car from General Motors. It’s very fast, very loud, very, very thrilling, and — unbelievably for a 580 hp car — you can actually use it as a daily driver.

The 2013 Camaro ZL1 convertible is a magic carpet for wealthy folks who have thick-enough skins to shed eco-villain barbs from neighbors. Except for some really cheap-looking plastic interior trim. Chevy’s gotta do something about that.

While we’ve always appreciated the style and, of course, the power of previous Camaros, the ZL1 is the first one that we actually want to drive. And for all it delivers, the asking price is a bargain.

If there was some sort of “performance index” of lap time per dollar of purchase price, I think I have the winner: Camaro ZL1. That’s pretty impressive for a car that lists at $58,000.

If you want a pony car from the 2012 model year, the Camaro ZL1 is the one to have. The ZL1 is one of those rare cars that manages to be the perfect on-track tool while still delivering a ride comfort that makes it a viable daily driver.

Call the ZL1 heavy, call it expensive, but don’t call it just a Camaro with a supercharger. I will say that for your money, nothing else with a back seat can approach the ZL1’s thundering performance.