As you very well know if the tagline "new Camaro..." sparked your interest, the 2013 Camaro ZL1 is ready to set the world on fire with next generation driving capabilities and chill-inducing speeds, cornering, and for lack of a more grandiose term, flat out performance and style.  But what of the younger siblings in the Camaro family, e.g. those not bearing a Z, S, or numbered variation thereon?

Enter the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE, a new trim that is by all accounts shaping up to be the next big thing for those either not willing to shell out the full asking price of the higher end, sporty models as mentioned or, in another set of heart pounding anxiety, unwilling to choose between the two high models.

The 1LE performance package is said to "combine the best elements of the SS and ZL1 to take road-racing performance to a whole new level" says Al Oppenheiser, the brain behind the Camaro models (source:  Chevrolet in the News).  Starting at under $40,000, the Camaro 1LE is going to be not only the most affordable entry into the full on muscle car world but also the most capable for the price point, again getting called the cross breed of its two super powered cousins.

So far, the feature set for the 2013 Camaro 1LE is as follows:

• A 6.2-liter V8 engine delivering over 425 horsepower and 420 foot-pounds of torque
• Monotube rear dampers to optimize body control and overall ride quality
• A larger front and rear stabilizer bars (larger by 28 mm and 27 mm, respectively)
• Higher-capacity rear-axle half shafts designed specifically for added performance and traction for the Camaro 1LE
• A strut tower brace for additional steering feel and response
• The Camaro ZL1's wheel bearings, tow links, rear shock mounts, a high capacity fuel pump, and Goodyear Eagle Supercar G:2 tires
• A Tremec six-speed manual transmission with a higher final-drive ratio than even that of the Camaro SS
• A standard air-to-liquid cooling system

In terms of sheer style, the Camaro 1LE doesn't disappoint there and, though I hate to repeat myself, it takes its cues from the big, bad Camaro ZL1:  a matte black hood, front splitter, rear spoiler, and black finished 10-spoke 20-inch alloys are but a few of the perks this $40K muscle car brings to the table.  In my short and biased opinion, that's a whole slew of features for the price of an average SUV.

Now Camaro fans, I must ask:  how excited are YOU for 2013?  Let us know in the comments below.  Until we have more news I'll leave you with this:  "with the 2013 model year, Camaro offers something for almost every driver, including:  the 323-horsepower, 30 mpg 2LS; the all-new 580 horsepower supercharged ZL1 convertible; the COPO Camaro for drag-racing; and the new 1LE for amateur track days" (source:  Chevrolet in the News).

Chris Dugan
Handy Chevrolet
St. Albans, VT  05478