2017 Chevrolet Camaro Review: Driving Three Camaros With Performance Upgrades

When the all-new sixth-gen Chevrolet Camaro debuted last year, the car impressed us enough that we named it our 2016 Motor Trend Car of the Year, and the 2017 Camaro SS 1LE placed a respectable fourth out of 12 cars in our 2016 Best Driver’s Car competition. Although priced under many cars it beat, that Camaro’s $45,700 price tag (with optional PDR) is still a little rich for many muscle car enthusiasts. So Chevy also offers a more affordable 1LE package for the V-6 powered Camaro and many parts can be bought a la carte for those who can’t quite afford all those bits up front.

Chevrolet invited us to Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch to sample stock Camaros back-to-back with cars featuring the full list of Chevrolet Performance parts in turbo-four, V-6, and V-8 forms. Keep reading for track driving impressions on 2017 Camaros with Chevrolet Performance parts.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS with eight-speed auto

First, we hopped into an automatic-transmission 455-hp 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS fitted with a set of accessory wheels wrapped in stock rubber. Although the stock Camaro SS is a competent handler, the Camaro SS with the same transmission and available Chevrolet Performance bits takes the muscle car’s performance to the next level.

Performance parts include an air intake, exhaust ($1,195), six-piston Brembo front brake kit with larger rotors ($3,000), suspension lowering kit (0.75-inch drop) with new springs and matching dampers ($1,500), suspension handling kit with larger stabilizer bars and stiffer suspension links, and V-8 strut tower brace ($195).

With a lower center of gravity and reduced body roll, the modified Camaro SS exhibited sharper handling with noticeably less tire squeal in the corners, all without sacrificing ride quality. More confidence and better braking allowed us to carry more speed through the corners and attain higher speeds along the straights.

Although the Chevrolet Performance bits improve on track performance, not all of the 1LE equipment is offered through the dealer including the four-piston rear brakes, eLSD, upgraded cooling package (engine, transmission, differential), and short-throw shifter. Of note, the 1LE package is only available with the six-speed manual where the Chevrolet Performance parts are available with either transmission. Also the performance air intake is only legal in 37 states.

Chevrolet Performance offers cosmetic upgrades. Our SS tester was fitted with staggered 20-inch wheels and Chevrolet Performance center caps, red rally stripe decal package, ground effects, lower SS grille with red inserts, black fuel door with carbon fiber insert, blade spoiler kit, dark taillights, and black bowtie badges. Interior upgrades include SS logo floor mats, black suede armrest with red stitching, black suede knee pads, sport pedal kit, interior lighting kit. There is also a red LT1 V-8 engine cover.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT with 3.6-liter V-6 and six-speed manual

Like the stock SS, the 335-hp 2017 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT with the RS package and 3.6-liter V-6 and six-speed manual rode on a set of 20-inch accessory wheels with stock tires. Although down 120 hp over the SS, the 3.6-liter engine pulls hard on the track and spends most of its time in third gear. Although it’s not as crisp on track as the stock Camaro SS, the V-6 powered car is still fairly capable and was predictable on each lap. The pedal placement allows for good heel-toe downshifts.

Next up was the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT with the 3.6-liter V-6. In addition to the RS package, factory options include the Heavy Duty Cooling & Brake package. Performance enhancing bits include a performance air intake (concept), performance exhaust ($1,095), four-piston Brembo front brake kit ($2,000), suspension lowering kit ($1,500), suspension handling kit (concept), and short-throw shifter (concept).

Like the modified SS, the Camaro V-6 with Chevrolet Performance upgrades is more confident in the corners with flatter handling. Though without the SS model’s full FE3 suspension kit, the V-6 with Chevrolet Performance bits doesn’t feel quite as complete as the stock SS car – that’s where the Camaro V-6 1LE comes in. Although there are no power claims for the air intake or exhaust pieces, the freer-flowing intake and reduced back pressure give a more responsive feel. The exhaust even makes the V-6 engine sound more aggressive.

Cosmetic upgrades include a red V-6 engine cover, 20-inch accessory wheels and center caps with stock tires, body side decal, ground effects, silver upper and lower grille insert for LT, black fuel door with carbon fiber insert, blade spoiler, dark taillights, and black bowtie emblems. Inside, the Camaro 2LT features logo floor mats, logo armrest, sport pedal kit, gloss black door trim, and red knee pads.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT with 2.0-liter turbo-four and six-speed manual

The stock 275-hp 2017 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT with the RS package and 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 and six-speed manual (read the Camaro vs. Mustang turbo-four comparison HERE) rode on a set of 20-inch forged wheels with stock tires. Don’t let its power rating fool you—with the lightest front end and the same suspension as the stock V-6 car, the turbo 2.0-liter is fun to toss around the track.

Without a 1LE package for Camaro models equipped with the turbo 2.0-liter, Chevrolet Performance offers several upgrades. The base car gets some of the familiar upgrades, including a performance exhaust ($1,595), suspension lowering kit ($1,500), suspension handling kit (concept), and short-throw shifter (concept). Curiously, the modified car we drove had the same six-piston Brembo front brake kit ($3,000) as the SS and not the four-piston Brembo kit on the V-6 car. Other performance bits include a wicker-bill spoiler ($395) and a set of front Recaro seats.

The suspension changes really wake the base car up, and although we don’t expect a Camaro 1LE on the turbo-four model, the base car with the Chevrolet Performance bits would make a great autocross car—just look at the Camaro AutoX concept from the 2016 SEMA auto show.

Other cosmetic pieces include a red engine cover, 20-inch forged wheels and center caps wrapped in stock tires, Chevrolet Performance decal, black front fascia extension, red upper and lower grille inserts, black fuel door with exposed carbon fiber insert, blade spoiler, dark taillights, rear blackout decal, and black bowtie emblems. Inside there are logo floor mats, black suede armrests with gray stitching, sport pedal kit, red door trim, and black suede knee pads.

Although none of the air intake and exhaust upgrades come with any power gain ratings, they do make all three engines feel more responsive and add a more authoritative tone. Even though the 1LE is only available on six- and eight-Camaro coupes with the manual transmission, Chevrolet Performance parts are available to maximize performance and enjoyment for all three engines including the 2.0-liter turbo-four with the eight-speed auto and convertible models.

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