Chevrolet has a new creation that’s sure to appease the Gods of Speed and Power: the all-new Camaro GT4.R This bad boy was developed by Pratt & Miller Engineering, the same group that helped the CTSCC Camaro race car smoke down the track. Of course, Chevrolet was there to provide some input as well since it’s their model. This GT4.R is based on the 2017 Camaro ZL1 road car. Thanks to the racing success of the fifth generation Camaro, GT4.R production got a head start. How? Because, the ZL1 is obviously a winning formula. Consider this: the Camaro GS and Z/28.R won 55 races between 2010 and 2016, returning two Manufacturers’ championships and five driving titles in major North American competitions. Chevrolet could take the experiences from those drivers and the data they got from the track, and use it to help build the GT4.R
That’s exactly what they did, and this thing is a monster.
Built To Global GT4 Regulations
The Camaro GT4.R is, quite obviously, a racing Camaro. Therefore, it’s been built to global GT4 regulations, which means the GT4.R is eligible in IMSA’s Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (GS category) and the Pirelli World Challenge (GTS class). These are two of the biggest GT racing championships in North America, so Chevrolet is going to be able to compete in the big leagues with this model.
Notable Features
The GT4.R is built off of the Camaro ZL1 road car platform, proven to be a successful foundation.
The engine on the GT4.R is a race-tuned, dry-sump 6.2-liter LT1 V8 small-block engine. This engine was developed and validated by Chevrolet Racing, and is able to deliver its power through a six-speed Xtrac sequential transmission with pneumatic paddle shift and adjustable traction control. That transmission is also race proven, which means the body and heart of the GT4.R has already had experience on the track. Giving it a huge advantage not just from its efficiency of design, but also over the competition.
There are a few other notable, unique features that the GT4.R gets brag about, such as:
-Xtrac racing limited slip-differential
-Two-way adjustable Ohlins Racing coil-over dampers
-Adjustable ABs features Brembo brakes with six-piston aluminum monoblock front calipers
For the GT4.R model, Chevrolet also looked to the Camaro in order to develop a more aerodynamic front splitter, front dive planes, and a rear wing. This helps the GT4.R cut through the air better, getting better fuel-efficiency (for what it’s worth) and more importantly, more speed.
When Will We See It On The Track?
Blackdog Racing is expected to be the first to race the car at the PWC season opener in March. Stevenson Motorsports, which won the CTSCC title in 2015 with the last Camaro, announced it will race the GT4.R at the Circuit of the Americas in May.
We’ll see it on the track soon enough. In the meantime, you can check out a short clip of the GT4.R screaming down the track posted on the Team Chevy Facebook page, along with YouTube. It sounds beautiful, and it certainly flies…
(LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=His4SsbhlQ4)
