Chevrolet Reveals 2014 Camaro Z/28.R Race Car
Chevrolet’s new track-focused Camaro Z/28 has now produced a racing version, dubbed the Camaro Z/28.R. The Z/28.R will make its competition debut this weekend in the GS class of the IMSA Continental Tires SportsCar Challenge – one of the lead-up events for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
The Z/28.R will share the engine, axle, and aero components with the standard Z/28 road car, which goes on sale this spring for $75,000. Much like the Corvette Z06 and the C7.R, the Z/28 and Z/28.R were developed side by side, creating an abundance of similarities between the two vehicles. That shared engine is GM’s acclaimed 7.0-liter LS7 V8, making 505 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The axle used in both the Z/28 and Z/28.R is a helical-gear limited-slip differential, and the rear spoiler, hood vents, side sills, wheel arch extensions and belly pan are also common between both cars.
The Camaro Z/28.R will be campaigned by Stevenson Motorsports and CKS Autosport, and will go up against race cars based on the likes of the Aston Martin Vantage, Ford Mustang, Nissan 370Z and Porsche 911.
Chevrolet’s motorsport director Mark Kent had this to say of the similarities between the two: "The Z/28.R is as close to a production-spec race car as you’ll find." If these pictures are any indication, we have no reason to doubt him. Check out the press release below for more details.
Camaro Z/28.R Sends Historic Name Back to the Track
New era begins at Daytona with IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge
2014-01-21
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 returns to its racing roots this week when the all-new Camaro Z/28.R race car debuts in a 2.5-hour endurance race ahead of the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona. It will be one of the most production-based competitors on the track, sharing aero, engine and even axle components with the new 2014 Camaro Z/28.
Stevenson Motorsports and CKS Autosport will campaign Z/28.R race cars in the GS class of the IMSA Continental Tires SportsCar Challenge. The Daytona race begins at 1:45 p.m. EST, on Friday, Jan. 24, kicking off the 12-race 2014 season.
"The original Camaro Z/28 was designed for racing and became an iconic performance car through its hard-fought victories," said Mark Kent, director of racing for Chevrolet. "A new chapter in racing begins this week, as the new Camaro Z/28 makes its competition debut in one of the most hotly contested series in motorsports."
Developed alongside its production counterpart, the Z/28.R incorporates the same performance elements that make the 2014 Camaro Z/28 the most track-capable Camaro ever. To enhance grip, for example, the Z/28.R’s body shares the same downforce-generating aero package as the production model, including:
– Front splitter
– Rear spoiler with wickerbill
– Hood extractor vent
– Rockers, wheel-house extensions and front tire deflectors
– Belly pan.
The Z/28.R is also powered by the same LS7 7.0L V-8 engine as the production Z/28 and employs the unique, helical-gear limited-slip rear differential found on the production model. It is standard in the Z/28, helping the driver put down more power to the pavement when exiting corners.
"Apart from series-mandated equipment and the specialized suspension components needed for endurance racing, the Z/28.R is as close to a production-spec race car as you’ll find," said Kent.
Advancing the Z/28 legacy
As Stevenson Motorsports and CKS Autosport kick off a full season of racing in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge with their new Camaro Z/28.R race cars, they’ll advance the legacy of Camaro endurance racing that dates to the original Z/28’s 1967 introduction, when it was developed for the Trans-Am series. More recently, the Camaro GS.R won six races from 2011 to 2013 in the Continental SportsCar Series Grand Sport class, helping Chevrolet achieve a runner-up finish in the GS championship last season.
"The new Camaro Z/28.R is a significant advancement from the GS.R that won multiple races in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge the last three years," said Lisa Talarico, Chevrolet program manager for the Continental Tire series. "We expect the new engine package, suspension components and aerodynamic improvements to help our teams to further successes in the 2014 GS class. The GS class is full of great competitors, and we believe the performance level of the new Z/28.R will provide us the opportunity to contend for a championship."
The 2014 Camaro Z/28 goes on sale this spring.
EDITORS: High-resolution images of Corvette Racing are available on the Team Chevy media site for editorial use only.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
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