Autoweek ZL1 Auto vs Manual Results - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

stlrammer · 12-05-2012, 09:53 PM

Not trying to upset my auto friends but found this as an interesting read.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012...n=awdailydrive

DrkPhx · 12-05-2012, 11:52 PM

Not a bad review, but he definitely missed the lever to flip the seats forward.

Quote:

Also, is there a button or lever to flip the seat up? To put a gallon of milk in the back, I had to electrically move the seat forward a foot and a half. Maybe I missed it.

Jeff65SS · 12-06-2012, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrkPhx

Not a bad review, but he definitely missed the lever to flip the seats forward.

Is there one? Because I have missed it too. I realize that there is a lever to fold the seat back forward, but I think the article is referring to a lever to flip the entire seat forward, allowing for access to the rear seats without having to power the seat position forward. It drives me crazy that I have to move the seat forward to get anything in the back.

sportyb24 · 12-06-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff65SS

Is there one? Because I have missed it too. I realize that there is a lever to fold the seat back forward, but I think the article is referring to a lever to flip the entire seat forward, allowing for access to the rear seats without having to power the seat position forward. It drives me crazy that I have to move the seat forward to get anything in the back.

On the back of your seat there is a lever.. It's not on the side it's actually on the back mid seat..

THR ZL1 #1 · 12-06-2012, 08:29 AM

But the lever only tips the seat back forward . . it does not make the seat move forward to make getting in the back seat even easier.

Deke736 · 12-06-2012, 08:51 AM

Nice read, I hadn't seen that article before! I agree about the trunk opening, but it wasn't going to deter me from buying the car. I do wish there was an easy seat release (and yes, know where my tilt lever is).

OP, thanks for posting.

trewyn15 · 12-06-2012, 09:12 AM

Pretty good read!

I don't think i'd end up getting an Automatic Camaro in general, takes away 90% of the fun

Taser Deployed · 12-06-2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trewyn15

Pretty good read!

I don't think i'd end up getting an Automatic Camaro in general, takes away 90% of the fun

If that's the case I'm loving the other 10%

Good read.

SGOS252382 · 12-06-2012, 09:53 AM

In a recent magazine the M5 out ran the ZL1 in testing. Why? Manual (ZL1) vs. Auto (M5).
580hp, 4120 lb Camaro ZL1
560 hp, 4300 lb M5

The M5 had less hp and more weight, yet it out ran the ZL1 and trapped several MPH faster down the 1/4 mile.

Why? The M5s (7 speed auto clutch) shifted faster along with better gearing (more gears).

Yes, manuals may be more fun (for some). But the facts are when a cars are equipped with modern sophisticated automatics, they're faster.

2012 ZL1#1658 · 12-06-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

In a recent magazine the M5 out ran the ZL1 in testing. Why? Manual (ZL1) vs. Auto (M5).
580hp, 4120 lb Camaro ZL1
560 hp, 4300 lb M5

The M5 had less hp and more weight, yet it out ran the ZL1 and trapped several MPH faster down the 1/4 mile.

Why? The M5s (7 speed auto clutch) shifted faster along with better gearing (more gears).

Yes, manuals may be more fun (for some). But the facts are when a cars are equipped with modern sophisticated automatics, they're faster.

This was a big selling point for me when I bought my automatic ZL1. The automatic goes slightly faster than a manual by 3 or 4 mph plus the quarter mile time is a tenth of a second faster.

If I want to use the manual function I have the option to use the paddle shifters.

DRKS1D3 · 12-06-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

In a recent magazine the M5 out ran the ZL1 in testing. Why? Manual (ZL1) vs. Auto (M5).
580hp, 4120 lb Camaro ZL1
560 hp, 4300 lb M5

The M5 had less hp and more weight, yet it out ran the ZL1 and trapped several MPH faster down the 1/4 mile.

Why? The M5s (7 speed auto clutch) shifted faster along with better gearing (more gears).

Yes, manuals may be more fun (for some). But the facts are when a cars are equipped with modern sophisticated automatics, they're faster.

Agreed 100%; however, I actually want to know the percentage of people that bought their car with the intent of running it down the quarter every weekend.

I love my manual and wouldn't have it any other way, then again if I was a diehard drag guy, I'd have bought an auto.

Good write up!

SlingShot · 12-06-2012, 11:19 AM

Standard trans is over rated, I dig the hell out of the auto in ZL1 ...

Bruno B. · 12-06-2012, 12:21 PM

Why does the auto have to pay a second gas guzzler tax?

Isn't the fuel economy the same for both trans.?

SlingShot · 12-06-2012, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruno B.

Why does the auto have to pay a second gas guzzler tax?

Isn't the fuel economy the same for both trans.?

No, manual is better by something like one level ...

12-06-2012, 08:29 AM	#5
THR ZL1 #1 Perma Grinning Drives: 2012 Tom Henry Racing ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Schaumburg, IL Posts: 452	But the lever only tips the seat back forward . . it does not make the seat move forward to make getting in the back seat even easier. __________________ Our Garage: 2018 Traverse High Country, 2017 Tom Henry Racing ZL1 Convertible, 2016 Silverado High Country HD, 2014 Camaro SS Convertible, 2012 Tom Henry Racing ZL1, 2002 Berger SS Phase II, 2001 Camaro SS Convertible, 1997 Hendrick Motorsports 30th Anniversary LT4 SS, 1992 Camaro RS Z03 25th . . .

12-06-2012, 08:51 AM	#6
Deke736 COTW 12/3/12 Drives: 2012 Ashen Gray ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glen Carbon, IL Posts: 3,279	Nice read, I hadn't seen that article before! I agree about the trunk opening, but it wasn't going to deter me from buying the car. I do wish there was an easy seat release (and yes, know where my tilt lever is). OP, thanks for posting. __________________

12-06-2012, 09:12 AM	#7
trewyn15 Drives: 2004 Monte Carlo LS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 2,414	Pretty good read! I don't think i'd end up getting an Automatic Camaro in general, takes away 90% of the fun __________________ 2004 Monte Carlo LS - 1966 AMC Rambler Rebel Classic - 2000 Trans Am WS6

12-06-2012, 11:19 AM	#12
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	Standard trans is over rated, I dig the hell out of the auto in ZL1 ... __________________

12-05-2012, 09:53 PM	#1
stlrammer Drives: 2017 1SS Blue Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Saint Peters, MO USA Posts: 2,063 View My Garage	Autoweek ZL1 Auto vs Manual Results Not trying to upset my auto friends but found this as an interesting read. http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012...n=awdailydrive __________________

12-06-2012, 09:53 AM	#9
SGOS252382 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: S.W. Florida Posts: 6,294	In a recent magazine the M5 out ran the ZL1 in testing. Why? Manual (ZL1) vs. Auto (M5). 580hp, 4120 lb Camaro ZL1 560 hp, 4300 lb M5 The M5 had less hp and more weight, yet it out ran the ZL1 and trapped several MPH faster down the 1/4 mile. Why? The M5s (7 speed auto clutch) shifted faster along with better gearing (more gears). Yes, manuals may be more fun (for some). But the facts are when a cars are equipped with modern sophisticated automatics, they're faster.

12-06-2012, 12:21 PM	#13
Bruno B. Drives: 2011 BMW 335Is Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Boston/Cape Cod Posts: 1	Why does the auto have to pay a second gas guzzler tax? Isn't the fuel economy the same for both trans.?