The 2012 Camaro ZL1 Convertible was unveiled at the LA Auto Show with the same 580-horsepower LS9 V8 powerplant of the ZL1 Coupe, but with a stowable top. Team Chevrolet is happy to point out that this sledge-hammer-of-a-drop-top is the most powerful production Chevy ever produced in the brand’s 100-year history, but its open air nature doesn’t mean it’s a performance slacker.
General Motors engineers fitted the ZL1 Camaro with a tower-to-tower brace under the hood, an underbody tunnel brace, a transmission support brace and a front X brace and rear underbody V braces to give the ZL1 Convertible a more coupe-like ride. The result is less cowl and wheel shake than is expected of most convertibles. GM also added structural reinforcements to keep noise and vibration in check.
The ZL1 Convertible also features the same advanced suspension setup as the ZL1 Coupe: Magnetic Ride with damping levels that now adjust up to 1,000 times per second. The ZL1 Convertible can also travel from zero to 60 miles per hour in a scant 3.9 seconds, making it quick enough to keep the driver happy even when the top is up.
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