The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is Ridiculously Priced at $75,000

Now, before all of the General Motors’ fanboys chime in with how the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is worth every cent of the $75,000 asking price – I want to be the first to state that the fact that the new Camaro Z/28 is the best performing GM muscle car of all time should make it one of the most expensive GM muscle cars of all time. General Motors is quick to point out that the new Z/28 was quicker around the famed Nürburgring than the Porsche 911 Carrera S and the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 but it should be noted that the Lamborghini in question made its best lap back in the 2007 model year so while the Camaro is quicker than a Lamborghini – it is quicker than a 7 year old Lamborghini. The Z/28 is also faster around the Ring than the 2008 Ferrari 430, the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the 2010 Nissan GTR and a very, very long list of other supercars from years past.

The problem as I see it is that the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is still the same basic Camaro that you can buy in base form for right around $24,000. That means that when compared to the base V6 Camaro, the 2014 Z/28 demands an upcharge of $51,000 for what amounts to a stripped out interior with race buckets, the LS7 V8 from the Corvette Z06, a race-ready adjustable suspension system, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, unique rims and tires and a body kit. Mind you, those components come together to make one of the best performing American cars of all time but according to General Motors, those features make the 2014 Z/28 more than $18,000 more than the current Camaro ZL1 which has its own high end braking and suspension system with a more powerful supercharged V8 engine. The 2012 Camaro ZL1 lapped the Nürburgring in 7:41.27 while the 2014 Camaro Z/28 made it around the track in 7:37.4 so buyers of the Z/28 are paying about $4,737 per second for the improved performance.

“The Camaro Z/28 is an uncompromising performer that’s bred for the track – and every one of its unique components supports the goal of faster lap times,” said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America. “It takes the Z/28 back to its racing roots and adds to the strong lineup of Chevrolet performance cars, including a revamped Camaro SS and supercharged ZL1, as well as the SS sedan, Corvette Stingray convertible and 2015 Corvette Z06, which we’ll introduce at the North American International Auto Show next week."

Again, I’m not looking to downplay the performance of the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. It is the quickest muscle car to ever lap the world’s most infamous road course and it is the fastest American car not named Viper or Corvette to tackle the Nürburgring. That simple fact makes the Z/28 truly incredible but at the end of the day, $75,000 seems like a massive price increase over the $57,000 2014 Camaro ZL1 that is less than four seconds slower on the world’s toughest track. A case can certainly be made that the most track capable Camaro ever should be the most expensive Camaro ever but I have a very hard time believing that $75,000 is a reasonable price for the new Z/28 – especially when it is going to fit into such a tight niche market of people who want the most track capable Camaro ever. Realistically, I expect to see more new Z/28s driven by old people at car shows than I do race tracks but maybe the racing world will prove me wrong and flock to this high dollar, street legal race car.

Needless to say, General Motors isn’t looking for much volume with the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 priced at more than double the price of the Camaro SS and more than three times the price of the base 2014 Camaro but for those hardcore GM fans who want to go racing in the fastest Camaro ever – the opportunity is there. Unfortunately, with a price that puts it well above the 2014 Corvette Stingray, the Z/28 is likely to be one of those legendary cars that we often talk about but never see on a public road. Those devout old school Camaro Z/28 owners who had hoped to park a 5th gen Z in their garage next to their classic Z might want to start checking in to cashing out their portfolio.

Oh, by the way, those hardcore racers who have to own the most track capable Camaro of all time can upgrade the 2014 Camaro Z/28 with air conditioning and a six speaker sound system (one speaker is standard) for just $1,150 for a total price of $76,150 including destination but not including tax, dealer fees, etc. And to think that some Camaro fans think that the V6 and SS models are too expensive?

But hey…it is still the quickest American muscle car to ever lap the Nürburgring…