There Could be a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 with LT5 Power

Last year when we saw video of a 6th gen Camaro ZL1 lapping the Nurburgring followed by video of a more aggressively designed 6th gen Camaro crashing at the Nurburgring, we all figured that we watched the next Camaro Z/28 crash. When the new Camaro ZL1 1LE was introduced with aero bits which look a great deal like the car that crashed at the Nurburgring, we then figured that the car which many of us expected to be the next Z/28 was actually the ZL1 1LE.

Some people insisted that the arrival of the 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE meant that we wouldn’t get a new Z/28, but I believe that there could still be another premium performance Camaro on the way – and plenty of people from around the automotive world agree. Some of those people believe that the Camaro Z/28 will arrive for the 2019 model year and when it does, it will be powered by one of two new high performance engines.

Possible Z/28 Features
Back in December, information from the General Motors service computer system revealed that there should be a new LT5 on the way for the Chevrolet Corvette. That information was vague, of course, but it indicated that this new LT5 would be an all-aluminum, naturally aspirated, dual overhead cam 6.2L V8. It seems very feasible that an engine with these specifications could make upwards of 550 horsepower, which seems like a reasonable number for the Camaro Z/28.

Now, I am sure that some of you are considering the power numbers of the Camaro ZL1 and thinking that with that model offering 650 horsepower, how will the new Camaro Z/28 “only” have 550hp? Well, that is just a general number which seems possible with an engine of that size, but the company could certainly squeeze out a little more power. At the same time, if the Camaro Z/28 had a naturally aspirated engine with 550hp and 550lb-ft of torque, it would have considerably more horsepower and torque than the current Shelby GT350R Mustang.

While this engine wouldn’t pack as much power as the supercharged LT4 in the ZL1, this DOHC, all-aluminum V8 would weigh less than the LT4 – which could be a critical issue for the new Camaro Z/28.

Weight reduction would likely be one of the key focuses of the 2019 Camaro Z/28, just like the 5th generation version. Unlike the well-appointed ZL1, the 6th gen Camaro Z/28 will likely have a barebones sound system, as minimal of a heating and AC system as possible, no sound deadener and perhaps they will keep the rear seat out, too.

It makes sense – a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 with a lightweight LT5 DOHC V8 packing somewhere in the area of 550hp and 550tq, a track-purposed suspension setup, an even higher performance braking system than what is offered on the ZL1 and an interior which only has what you really need for track time – maybe with a passenger seat. As was the case with the 5th generation Camaro ZL1 and Z/28, this speculation would lead to a Z/28 which is slightly less power, but slightly better performing than the ZL1 by means of less weight and more track-ready components.

Unfortunately, with no word from GM on the existence of a new Camaro Z/28, there is no telling how long it will be before we get some real information on the next high performance GM muscle car.