In Vietnam, American muscle cars remain popular among car enthusiasts due to their unique design, impressive performance, and affordability compared to other options in the same price range. The Ford Mustang is the most popular choice, but some other models, like the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro, have also been imported through private importers, although they are less mainstream.
This article features the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as an example. Currently, there is only one Camaro ZL1 variant available in Vietnam, which belongs to the 5th generation (produced between 2010-2015 and arrived in Vietnam in 2014). The ZL1 name signifies an all-aluminum engine used in the 1969 Camaro ZL1, with only 69 units produced worldwide.
Originally, this Camaro ZL1 was painted in a striking red color. After changing hands, the car was repainted in yellow and currently features a glossy black color, giving it a more menacing and mysterious appearance.
The front of the car showcases a simple and characteristic design of American sports cars. The front bumper has a large air intake with fog lights on either side. The grille is equally simple, with the Chevrolet logo painted in black for uniformity. The circular headlights are not overly impressive.
The hood of the Camaro ZL1 is special as it is made of aluminum, with two prominent creases and air vents to enhance cooling for the supercharged engine underneath. It is also adorned with the ZL1 badge, signifying this high-performance version.
The “feet” of the car are equipped with 20-inch dual-spoke V-shaped black matte finish wheels, both at the front and rear. To ensure smooth operation and safety for users, the American automaker collaborated with Brembo to develop a dedicated braking system for this version. It includes 370mm front discs with 6-piston calipers and 365mm rear discs with 4-piston calipers.
The rear end of the car is entirely covered in a mysterious black color, with blacked-out taillights matching the exterior paint. There is a small spoiler above to break the monotony of the car’s design. Compared to the current generation, this design is more squared but not overly prominent due to its simplicity.
The exhaust system of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has been upgraded to a new type produced by Borla, a brand favored by many muscle car enthusiasts, providing powerful and exhilarating sound. If you’re not used to it, sitting in the car for a long time can be tiring.
The car originally featured a 6.2-liter supercharged LSA engine. This engine generates 580 horsepower and 754 Nm of torque, combined with rear-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic transmission. As a result, the car can accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 296 km/h.
However, not satisfied with this level of performance, the previous owner of the car opted for a tuning package from the American tuning brand – West Bend Dyno Tuning LLC, which added an additional 170 horsepower to the car. With 750 horsepower, this unique Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Vietnam is even more powerful than the Lamborghini Aventador SV (740 horsepower).
The car was previously owned by some tycoons in Saigon before being sold to an enthusiast in Hanoi. The current value of the car is unknown, but 9 years ago, this Camaro ZL1 had a price tag of no less than 7 billion VND (approximately $300,000). This price attracts those who dare to be different because, under the current tax calculation method, the price of the car can be on par with some supercar models.
Tien Dung
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