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With the introduction of the fifth generation Camaro, SLP has picked up where they left off in 2002 (when the last fourth-gen cars were built) with their best and most powerful offering to date, the 2011 ZL585 Camaro. Based on a standard Chevrolet Camaro 1SS or 2SS, the SLP package can be ordered directly through any US and Canadian Chevrolet dealership with a full five-year, 160,000 km powertrain warranty. In fact, SLP offers a number of packages ranging from a ZL427 to the subject of this review, the ZL585, of which only 500 examples will be built and sold.

If you haven’t guessed already, the aforementioned numbers indicate the rated crank horsepower output from the modified 6.2-litre V8 engine. In ZL454/427 and ZL465 guise the 6.2L V8 remains naturally aspirated and benefits from SLP’s custom tune for the added engine output; there is no limit to how many of these cars will be produced.

The ZL454 (manual transmission)/427 (automatic transmission) package is offered at a MSRP of $5,495 and adds your choice of performance exhaust (Loud Mouth II or PowerFlo), a Blackwing cold-air induction system and a slew of exterior appearance upgrades including functional rear spoiler, exterior badges and 20-inch Red Line wheels. The ZL465 package lists for $7,995 and adds a 1.85 ratio rocker arm/spring package as well as the extra ponies. Also available are a wide range of performance and appearance accessories, all of which can be found on SLP’s web site and through your local Chevrolet dealer.

My tester, the ZL585, takes this already impressive engine to a new level. Similar to what GM’s own engineers do with the Corvette ZR1, SLP bolts on a high-output supercharger, literally boosting output by 159 hp and upping torque to approximately 590 lb.-ft. This package does not come cheap, though, adding $22,995 to your Camaro 1SS order.

Of course, you get more than just the power: you also get a head-turning exhaust sound, short-throw shifter, a functional rear spoiler, high performance hood with functional scoop, a front splitter, 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and exclusive ZL585 badges. My tester didn’t stop there, being further equipped with the optional six-piston Brembo GT brake calipers and two-piece cross-drilled 15-inch rotors, which allows SLP to raise the electronic top speed limiter from 250 km/h to 305 km/h. The brake package adds an extra $5,995 to the subtotal.

A slew of extras, including rally-style stripes, Katzkin leather and heritage-style badging transform the appearance of the stock SS dramatically. To complete the look and further enhance performance, an Eibach coil-over spring and shock package was added, as well as SLP adjustable sway bars both front and rear, and exclusive Red Line 20-inch wheels (nine inches wide fronts and 10-inch rears) wrapped in Michelin PS2 performance tires, bringing our tester’s grand total to $72,495.

But let’s put all the numbers aside for a moment: first impressions of the red beast are very positive. The lowered stance, the larger hood with functional scoop and front splitter give this Camaro a distinctive, aggressive look that turns heads. But that is not the real pleasure: that lies with the turn of the key. As the engine comes alive the LoudMouth exhaust produces the most pleasing exhaust note heard on a muscle car in years – you could sit and enjoy the rumble at idle for hours but then you realize that it probably sounds even better at full song. Oh boy, is that an understatement!

The first time you step on the gas in the ZL585 your life changes. Dreams of yesteryear, lumpy cams and cruising with the boys go through your head. Lift off the pedal a bit to catch your breath and it hits you again as the exhaust pops and gurgles as unburnt fuel vapours pass through the exhaust. As much as you are enjoying the moment, slowly exiting the parking lot, you cannot hold back your anticipation for that moment when you can let some power loose on the highway.

Surprisingly, you think to yourself, even on these battered Gatineau, Quebec streets, the ride is not overly harsh, but you don’t really care anyway, as you mash the go pedal to merge onto the highway and the speed warning illuminates on the dash to warn you of the impeding ticket – yet, you are still only in second gear!

Those are the realities of a vehicle with 585 horsepower. As you snap through first and into second gear, your inner child giggles with glee, then your guardian angel taps you on the shoulder and reminds you that children could be playing; a deer could jump out; a pile of leaves at the next corner could affect traction. Then your mind comes back to that exhaust rumble and you don’t care, because you can cruise down the strip at legal speeds in comfort and enjoy the music that is the ZL585.

Want to open her up and understand the limits? That is where facilities like Calabogie Motorsports Park (CMP) come into play. Just one hour northwest of Ottawa, this world-class road course facility is the perfect place to unleash the ZL585 and really understand what SLP has done to improve on GM’s fifth generation Camaro.

This same time last year we staged The Fall Muscle Car Challenge, pitting the 2010 Mustang GT, Chevrolet Camaro SS and Dodge Challenger R/T against each other at this very track. During this event we established a baseline for a stock Chevrolet Camaro SS to which the SLP ZL585 could be compared.

First impressions on the track were mostly favourable. Out of the pit lane and down the straight, power was obviously not lacking. The short-shifter offers up a hefty mechanical action from the six-speed transmission that also manages to feel clean and crisp. Initial steering impressions were positive as well; the SLP Camaro was quick to turn in and take a set into the corner. Unfortunately, it soon became evident that the mostly-stock GM interior was not up to the challenge. The seats themselves offer nearly no support for the task of track driving, it is unfortunate SLP doesn’t offer an upgraded seat with more aggressive side-bolsters and the retro steering wheel is still a major failure in my books, but I tried to put those issues aside while I held on tight!

The Camaro is also a very heavy platform, with the SLP version weighing in at approximately 3,850 lbs (1,746 kg), and even with performance shocks and springs the suspension works hard to keep the car from wallowing in quick transitions. This is something one must get used to. Does it turn? You bet it does! It just feels like it would rather not be doing it with so much urgency.

The six-piston Brembo brakes have solid pedal feel but do not inspire much confidence. Upon reflection and inspection of the numbers from our data logger, it seems the brakes worked extremely well but the weight of the vehicle simply overwhelms the tires during heavy braking.

This car really is all about the engine. Up “The Ridge” into corner 15 at CMP is where the torque and horsepower really pulled the ZL585 through with aplomb. Shorter gearing would turn this into a real track monster, as there’s a noticeable power drop-off when shifting from third to fourth at high speed, due to the long ratios. I was surprised that speeds of more than 200 km/h could be achieved easily in fourth gear; shorter gear ratios for first through fourth would improve on-track ability but perhaps would be a detriment on the street.

Subjective analysis aside, the numbers do not lie. Tested at the same track during a very similar day one year ago, the Camaro SS posted a 2:35.2 lap time, while the SLP ZL585 went around nearly six seconds faster, at 2:29.6.

But the real tell-tale numbers are the maximums: maximum braking G-forces recorded for the SS were 0.91G while the SLP offered up an impressive 1.08Gs. Down the longest straight at Calabogie, “Rocky Road,” the Camaro SS managed a maximum speed of 189.5 km/h while the ZL585 managed 201.3 km/h. Most impressive, though, was the maximum corner entry speed, where the Camaro SS was only capable of 143 km/h, while the ZL585 recorded a maximum corner entry speed of 173 km/h!


On the street, the ZL585 is mind blowing. There is no question that if you love muscle cars you will love every minute you spend piloting this Camaro. On the track it performs well and will certainly put a smile on your face, as long as you realize that cars with half the power, costing half as much but boasting better handling may pass you. But at the end of the day, you will be the one with the silly grin on your face as you pick up a burger and shake at the local drive-through window.

Coming soon from SLP are a modified V6-powered Camaro and a mind blowing ZL1 with an estimated 750 hp