The 650 HP Camaro ZL1 1LE Camaro has got to be the fastest and safest track ready car under $100K. Even in Track Mode, the steering angle censor still neuters all the power on corner exit. This is a good thing for all the "Heavy Footed" HPDE level drivers and Instructors sitting right-seat. Considering the speeds and power of this car, to crash this car, the driver has to drive it straight into a wall. Or do something so bizarre that the computer punishes you with an airbag in your face.
The Good:
- Amazing corner entry front grip
- Amazing mid corner grip and posture
- Amazing straightway speeds and stability
- Traction Control, Stability Control, and ABS consistently points you in the right direction at amazing speeds.
The Bad:
- Corner Exit power was very frustrating. I was unable to power-rotate the car using the 650 TQ around the tight corners. The computer limited the torque until the steering wheel was straight for about 2 seconds. You can hear on the video when I exited a corner (I have my foot to floor) how the engine note changes about 2 seconds after opening up the steering wheel. No Fuzzy Logic in the computer algorithm here - power is like an off/on switch. This is a good and safe thing for a NOVICE and Intermediate Driver and even some Advanced Drivers. I tried fooling the computer by "sawing" the steering wheel mid-corner to corner-exit - did not work. The engineers must of figured out that is what a driver might do and delays the power seconds after a constant straight steering angle.
- Stock brakes/pads were adequate and consistent. The brakes felt over boosted initially and started off soft then firmed up over the braking distance. A very weird feeling at first when slowing down from 140 mph to 45 mph. With a passenger in the car, I was not confident that the computer was going to be consistent every lap.
- Although a large car, the interior felt claustrophobic. After existing the car, I was unable to put my helmet in the seat through the window. Looking at the front windshield, I think I would be unable to exit the car there either in an emergency with a helmet on.