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Rumor: Official 2012 Camaro ZL1 HP Numbers Easily Exceed CTS-V

[1]Ever since the pre-production ZL1 Camaro was revealed [2], speculation has run rampant as to the final numbers for horsepower and torque for this monster Chevy. With an engine based on the Cadillac CTS-V’s supercharged LSA powerplant, the odds strongly favored advertised output in the same ballpark as the Caddy’s 556 ponies and 551 pound-feet. However, we’ve also heard rumors that GM intentionally turned down the wick on the LSA as utilized in the CTS-V to keep it from overshadowing the Corvette ZR1’s LS9, which is rated at 638 horsepower and 604 pound-feet.

[3]

While the LSA makes do with a smaller 1.9 liter supercharger (compared to the LS9’s 2.3 liter unit) and a 9.0:1 compression ratio instead of 9.1:1,  the higher hoodline on the CTS-V (and presumably the ZL1 as well) allows for a taller intercooler/intake manifold package, and more design freedom to optimize flow. The CTS-V’s LSA puts it in a class of its own among luxury performance cars, but the ZL1 will have to fight it out directly against Ford’s next Shelby GT500, which is rumored to have a 650 horsepower turbocharged powerplant [4].

[5]But enough teasing – We have just heard an unconfirmed but extremely credible rumor that the just-completed SAE testing for the ZL1’s powerplant puts the number “North of 570 horsepower,” and that an official figure is imminent. Stay tuned as we beat the bushes for confirmation and the actual results…