 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SLP ZL585. Click image to enlarge |
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2011 Chevrolet Camaro SLP ZL585
Nineteen ninety-six was an interesting year: it was the year the first mammal, Dolly, was successfully cloned. The Spice Girls had the number one hit “Wannabe,” and the prime minister of Canada was Jean Chrétien. Thankfully, most of those tidbits have long since been forgotten. There is one historically relevant memory that has remained dear to the hearts of GM performance enthusiasts, and that is the establishment of SLP Performance Parts. It was 1996 when the New Jersey-based company launched as a tier-one supplier for the fourth generation Camaro and Firebird/Firehawk, with manufacturing based in LaSalle, Quebec.
 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SLP ZL585. Click image to enlarge |
With the introduction of the fifth generation Camaro, SLP has picked up where they left off in 2002 (when the last fourth-gen cars were built) with their best and most powerful offering to date, the 2011 ZL585 Camaro. Based on a standard Chevrolet Camaro 1SS or 2SS, the SLP package can be ordered directly through any US and Canadian Chevrolet dealership with a full five-year, 160,000 km powertrain warranty. In fact, SLP offers a number of packages ranging from a ZL427 to the subject of this review, the ZL585, of which only 500 examples will be built and sold.
If you haven’t guessed already, the aforementioned numbers indicate the rated crank horsepower output from the modified 6.2-litre V8 engine. In ZL454/427 and ZL465 guise the 6.2L V8 remains naturally aspirated and benefits from SLP’s custom tune for the added engine output; there is no limit to how many of these cars will be produced.
The ZL454 (manual transmission)/427 (automatic transmission) package is offered at a MSRP of $5,495 and adds your choice of performance exhaust (Loud Mouth II or PowerFlo), a Blackwing cold-air induction system and a slew of exterior appearance upgrades including functional rear spoiler, exterior badges and 20-inch Red Line wheels. The ZL465 package lists for $7,995 and adds a 1.85 ratio rocker arm/spring package as well as the extra ponies. Also available are a wide range of performance and appearance accessories, all of which can be found on SLP’s web site and through your local Chevrolet dealer.
  2011 Chevrolet Camaro SLP ZL585. Click image to enlarge |
My tester, the ZL585, takes this already impressive engine to a new level. Similar to what GM’s own engineers do with the Corvette ZR1, SLP bolts on a high-output supercharger, literally boosting output by 159 hp and upping torque to approximately 590 lb.-ft. This package does not come cheap, though, adding $22,995 to your Camaro 1SS order.
Of course, you get more than just the power: you also get a head-turning exhaust sound, short-throw shifter, a functional rear spoiler, high performance hood with functional scoop, a front splitter, 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and exclusive ZL585 badges. My tester didn’t stop there, being further equipped with the optional six-piston Brembo GT brake calipers and two-piece cross-drilled 15-inch rotors, which allows SLP to raise the electronic top speed limiter from 250 km/h to 305 km/h. The brake package adds an extra $5,995 to the subtotal.
A slew of extras, including rally-style stripes, Katzkin leather and heritage-style badging transform the appearance of the stock SS dramatically. To complete the look and further enhance performance, an Eibach coil-over spring and shock package was added, as well as SLP adjustable sway bars both front and rear, and exclusive Red Line 20-inch wheels (nine inches wide fronts and 10-inch rears) wrapped in Michelin PS2 performance tires, bringing our tester’s grand total to $72,495.
 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SLP ZL585. Click image to enlarge |
But let’s put all the numbers aside for a moment: first impressions of the red beast are very positive. The lowered stance, the larger hood with functional scoop and front splitter give this Camaro a distinctive, aggressive look that turns heads. But that is not the real pleasure: that lies with the turn of the key. As the engine comes alive the LoudMouth exhaust produces the most pleasing exhaust note heard on a muscle car in years – you could sit and enjoy the rumble at idle for hours but then you realize that it probably sounds even better at full song. Oh boy, is that an understatement!
The first time you step on the gas in the ZL585 your life changes. Dreams of yesteryear, lumpy cams and cruising with the boys go through your head. Lift off the pedal a bit to catch your breath and it hits you again as the exhaust pops and gurgles as unburnt fuel vapours pass through the exhaust. As much as you are enjoying the moment, slowly exiting the parking lot, you cannot hold back your anticipation for that moment when you can let some power loose on the highway.
Surprisingly, you think to yourself, even on these battered Gatineau, Quebec streets, the ride is not overly harsh, but you don’t really care anyway, as you mash the go pedal to merge onto the highway and the speed warning illuminates on the dash to warn you of the impeding ticket – yet, you are still only in second gear!
