Like its competitors, the Mustang and Challenger, the Chevrolet Camaro has gotten faster and more powerful with each generation. But as much as we'd have wanted to see it remain in production, GM had to discontinue it with the final model year being 2024. But hey, at least it isn't going electric/hybrid like the Challenger. One thing that discontinuing cars does is make them more desirable, and given that not many ZL1s were made, it won't be long before they become hotcakes in the car scene. Even rarer is the Hennessey Camaro ZL1, of which Hennessey made a handful. And if you know what Hennessey does to cars, we bet you'd buy the Hennessy over the standard ZL1. Is the difference between the two that much though? Read on to find out.
Cars have names, but not every day do you hear of a car called the Exorcist. That should tell you more than you need to know in so many ways. That's the name Hennessey gave to their Camaro ZL1 after giving it their Exorcist upgrade kit, similar to most of their offerings. It includes a new high-flow supercharger and supporting modes such as ported cylinder heads, custom camshaft, and more, resulting in 1,000 horsepower and 966 lb.ft at the rear wheels. That's enough for a 0-60 mph time of 2.1 seconds, which is a mind-boggling pace if you're unacquainted with such performance and a top speed of 217 mph. Should you decide to check how fast it is on a dragstrip, it'll do the quarter mile in 9.57 seconds, crossing the line at 147 mph, which makes it one of Hennessey's fastest cars. It earns the name, doesn't it.
Hennessey rarely touches the interior, so their Chevrolet Camaro ZL1's cabin remains as it came out from factory. This means you get a slightly retro yet modern interior that most muscle cars have, with an analog instrument cluster, reasonably sized display and tactile controls being the major highlights. Plus, it's nice to see a manual transmission shifter in this day and age where cars don't even have shifters. All they have is rotary controllers and knobs. Space is decent for a coupe, even for the second row, which, if you ask any Camaro owner, they can't remember the last time the second row got used. It serves better as storage space or, even better, as room for a cage installation with the seats deleted. The trunk is adequately spacious as well.
You can get the Hennessey Exorcist in several colors depending on the standard ZL1's original spec, but anyone would agree it looks best in black. The paint blends in with its performance capabilities so well, yet it remains pleasingly subtle. Hennessey keeps exterior modifications minimal, adding only a few badges unless you opt for the optional "Exorcist" script on the rear quarter panel, accented by a white stripe running from the rear fender to the front wheel well. The factory offerings were great, but the Exorcist upgrade kit didn't include wheel or tire upgrades, which we'd have loved to see. But we know if you talk to John Hennessey nicely, he won't resist giving you a nice set of Hennessey wheels, which look way better than the factory 20-inch wheels.
The Hennessey Performance Chevrolet Camaro isn't all about power, thanks to Hennessey retaining most of Chevy's tech. Inside, you get an 8.0-inch infotainment display that might not be the largest or the best looking, but it's relatively easy to use. It incorporates Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, vehicle functions control, and more. The instrument cluster might not be digital, but it's complemented by a clear head-up display. But that's not all. Chevy also gave the ZL1 a Bose stereo and wireless phone charging, among a fair share of other features that were optional on lower-spec models. The driver assist and safety features suite is pretty comprehensive as well, with the essentials such as ABS and stability control in addition to blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and more.
A sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 typically costs between $50,000 and just under $100,000, depending on the model year and specifications. Opting for Hennessey's Exorcist package will add $55,000, which is reasonable considering the upgrades it includes. If you're purchasing one directly from Hennessey, you'll need to factor in the car's MSRP plus the cost of the upgrades, especially if it's a brand-new ZL1 or a recent model with very low mileage. If you'd rather buy one straight, we've got you covered. Check out our Chevrolet listings, which have several Camaros for sale, and we guarantee you'll find something that matches your taste, even if it's not a Hennessey Exorcist.
While opinions may vary, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the best-handling muscle car. It had the perfect recipe with only one flaw: it didn't have as much power as some of its peers. Well, that wasn't until Hennessey got their hands on it. However, there's one question. Is the Hennessey Exorcist fast enough to catch a Demon? Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today.
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