2014 Chevy Camaro Z/28 Prepares for Take-off

There was a lot of discussion about downforce when the 2014 Chevy Camaro Z/28 was first revealed, but even though aerodynamics help the car develop 440 lbs. more of it, at 155 mph, than the already revved-up Camaro ZL1, let's face facts: There are going to be times when the occasional Z/28 briefly takes flight on a particularly ripply racetrack. In such situations, a less-advanced traction-management system would sense the wheels losing their grip on the ground, then decrease torque to help the car regain its footing—and decreased power means increased lap times.

Of course, drivers of the 2014 Chevy Camaro Z/28 won't have to worry about such mundane problems if they go airborne, thanks to what the brand calls "flying car logic" that's baked into the car's Performance Traction Management system.

As explained by Bill Wise, Camaro Z/28 vehicle performance engineer: “PTM uses torque, lateral acceleration and rear-axle wheel slip to define the amount of traction control required, but when the car clears a rise on the track, it normally wants to decrease torque to increase traction. The unique logic in the system uses the ride-height sensors to determine the reduction in force on the tires that’s unique to track driving and allows the car to continue with uninterrupted momentum and, ultimately, a better lap time.”

The technology has been proven in real-world conditions, too, deploying as the 2014 Chevy Camaro Z/28 set its top Nürburgring time of 7:37.4. As Chevrolet is fond of reminding folks, that's four seconds faster than the 2014 Chevy Camaro ZL1 and also quicker then the lowest published times for the Porsche 911 Carrera S and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.

Also helping the 2014 Chevy Camaro Z/28 live up to its billing as the most track-capable production Camaro ever:

• A 7.0-liter V8 engine that delivers 505 hp and 481 lb.-ft. of torque to a six-speed manual transmission
• Brembo’s Carbon Ceramic Matrix brake rotors, with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers
• Sophisticated suspension components, like “Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve” dampers and beefy stabilizer bars
• 19-inch staggered-width Pirelli PZero Trofeo R tires
• 300 fewer pounds of curb weight than a ZL1

The 2014 Chevy Camaro is expected to arrive in dealerships later this year with an MSRP that starts at $75,000 (including destination).