The Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE now gets a ten-speed gearbox

If you live your life one half second at a time, prepare for some excellent news: the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE now comes with a ten-speed automatic gearbox. Before, it, um, didn't.

We’re told that with this fast-shifting new gearbox fitted, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE laps GM’s 2.9-mile Milford Road course “more than one half second” faster than a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE with the – until now – standard fit six-speed manual.

Chevy hasn't detailed how many 'one half seconds' the new ten-speed equipped ZL1 1LE takes to go from 0-60mph, but the six-speeder does it in seven 'one half seconds'. That’s 3.5 seconds, just so we’re clear.

Why give a track-honed manual car an auto-shifter? Because this new ‘box “is optimised for speed”. Much work has been done to make it feel racier – calibrations, traction management and so forth – and indeed, Chevy reckons on a longer course like That One In Germany, you’ll be able to shave several 'one half seconds' off a lap time compared to a manual gearbox ZL1 1LE. Sweet.

In any case, it’s a good excuse to remind yourself how cool the ZL1 1LE looks. Here it is - though with a six-speeder - moments after a 'WATCH THIS' may have been uttered.

Once again, for those at the back.

Now go read TG’s first drive of the track-honed muscle car, here.