NICK.BROOK@nullcluthaleader.co.nz
Tania Binnema may own the fastest road›legal car in New Zealand.
Her 2018 Chevrolet Camaro US ZL1 1LE packs a supercharged 6.3litre V8, developing 650 horsepower to a top speed of 193mph (310kmh).
With 650 foot›pounds of torque and a 0›60mph time of 3.2 seconds in its standard form, the ZL1 terrorises supercars, but the enhanced 1LE variant is literally ‘‘a factory ready race car’’.
‘‘Chevy calls the 1LE the ‘Track Pack’,’’ husband Roger Binnema said, taking a break from work at local business Balclutha Automotive.
‘‘The gearbox has a different ratio and the diff, coolant, brakes, suspension and other systems are built in with adjustments for racetrack performance. The wing at the back generates about 300kg of down pressure at race speeds.’’
Lightweight magnesium wheels and the switch to aluminium for components including suspension bring the Track Pack 1LE in at about 200kg lighter than a standard Camaro and selected, approved automotive outlets around the world offer a further range of guaranteed mechanical enhancements which can milk even higher performance, including up to 1000 horsepower.
‘‘We heard about it, looked into it and decided we wanted it,’’ Mrs Binnema said.
‘‘The manufacturer won’t sell new to non›US residents but we found a group in the North Island who were able to source this one, and ended up driving it home from Hamilton.’’
‘‘It had 1900km when we bought it and it’s got 6700 now so we’re not using it for a lot. We take it to Cromwell and for a few car runs but the size and low style means it comes with concerns about curbs, speed humps and parking›space as standard.’’
There are an estimated four ZL1 1LE’s in New Zealand and a secondhand, non Track Pack version with 13,455 miles is presently available on an international website for $US57,950.
‘‘In 2017 a car identical to this did a flying lap of the Nuremburg circuit and annihilated the Europeans,’’ Mr Binnema said.
