Chevrolet Outclassed By Hennessey With Proper Camaro Goodbye

Fans will cry, but GM doesn't appear to believe there are too many of those left, or at least not enough to justify investing in a new Camaro generation. Sales have been slowly dwindling in the past 2-3 years, albeit, oddly enough, 2023 sales have already surpassed those for the entirety of 2022.

The Camaro nameplate first went on sale exactly 56 years and two weeks ago, designed from the beginning to take on the highly successful Ford Mustang, the original pony car.

That said, it hasn't been available for the entirety of those 56 years, as Chevrolet kept the name dormant between the fourth and fifth generation, when sales had, again, become insignificant, especially compared to the Ford Mustang.

Semi-Awkward Official Send-off

The press release announcing the end of Camaro production mentioned, "While we are not announcing an immediate successor today, rest assured, this is not the end of Camaro's story." That statement will mean little for the 25k people who bought one in the U.S. so far this year. Still, at least Chevrolet is celebrating the model's demise with a super special edition, right?

Well, yes and no, depending on who you ask. Chevrolet will offer a final special Collector's Edition on North America's LT/RS, LT1, SS, and ZL1 Camaro trims. What does the edition bring, you ask?

In short, the LT/RS, LT1, and SS trims are adorned with a so-called Panther Black Metallic Tintcoat paint, Satin Black racing stripes, and a choice between 20-inch Satin Black wheels or the optional Polished Forged Wheels.

The potent ZL1 Collector's Edition sports a Panther Black Matte exterior, marking the first introduction of a matte paint option for Camaro from the factory, with the model being limited to 350 units.

In a unifying touch, all Camaro Collector's Editions sport unique front fender script badging with clever integration of a panther into the "R" and a panther emblem on the steering wheel badge. There are also some special floor mats with a laser-etched aluminum Collector's Edition logo and a black interior trim.

Oh, last but definitely not least, each client also receives a welcome kit containing two posters commemorating the Camaro generations and the Collector's Edition, while owners of the ZL1 Collector's Edition are in for an exclusive treat. Each gets a bespoke Canfield Sport 45mm watch crafted by Shinola, specially designed to commemorate the Collector's Edition. Each watch is uniquely inscribed with a serial number corresponding to the number on the vehicle's steering wheel badge.

For those wondering why there are so many 'panther' references, it's because of the original code name for the program that became the Camaro in the mid-1960s. It's also a tongue-in-cheek joke about a feline that eats Mustangs, an obvious reference to the Ford Mustang, which created and dominated the Pony car market GM was entering with the Camaro.

Sadly, that reference has seldom worked, another proof being that the Mustang name is being carried on by the seventh generation while the Camaro is getting the plug pulled for the second time in its history.

There were rumors of Chevrolet also making a special edition Camaro Z/28, one of the most famous trims of the model. Unfortunately, GM has been tight-lipped on the subject so much that nobody believes the rumors anymore, and fans need to just be happy with the cool paint schemes and fancy badges from the Collector's Edition. But is it enough?

A Proper Unofficial Hommage

Yesterday, the Texan house of speed known as Hennessey took everyone by storm by revealing the 1,000-HP Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 'Exorcist Final Edition.'

Limited to a production run of 57 cars as a reference to the Camaro's 57-year lifespan (including the 8 years it didn't exist), the Exorcist Final Edition is powered by a thoroughly modified 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 1,000 horsepower and a monstrous 966 lb-ft (1,310 Nm) of torque.

If you're not good at math, that's a 54 percent increase in horsepower and a 49 percent boost in torque compared to the already powerful Camaro ZL1 from the factory, which comes with 'only" 650 HP and 650 lb-ft (881 Nm) of torque.

Hennessey replaced the supercharger with a larger one to achieve these mind-bending numbers, ported the cylinder heads for optimizing the airflow, and installed custom camshafts.

Additionally, the intake valves, exhaust valves, valve springs, retainers, lifters, and pushrods have all been upgraded to reinforce the engine's internal structure and ensure durability under the heightened performance.

Efficient cooling is vital for maintaining optimal engine performance when so much power is being harnessed. Hence, an oversized heat exchanger was integrated to dissipate heat more effectively. Long-tube stainless steel headers and high-flow catalytic converters were also fitted, allowing the engine to breathe more freely and sound like the end of the world in the process.

All that extra power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via a ten-speed automatic. Still, with the right tires and conditions, the Exorcist 'Final Edition' can apparently make the 0-60 mph (97 kph) sprint in just 2.1 seconds. To put things into perspective, Hennessey's own Venom F5 hypercar is slower from 0 to 60 mph. Just as impressive are the 9.57 second quarter mile time or the 217 mph (349 kph) top speed.

For those thinking that the 'Exorcist' name sounds familiar on a muscled-out Camaro, it's because this is not the first time that Hennessey has played with one.

The model is actually building on the already formidable foundation set by the original Camaro Exorcist, which was introduced in 2017 with a clear intention to 'exorcize' the then-new Dodge Demon.

Each engine receives a special 'Final Edition X of 57' serial-numbered engine bay plaque, symbolizing the 57 years since the legendary Camaro debuted in style. 'Final Edition' graphics showcasing the Exorcist name adorn the exterior, completing the package.

Keep in mind that, despite being an aftermarket model, Hennessey's Exorcist 'Final Edition' upgrade includes the company's comprehensive 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty.

As the Dodge Demon and the Challenger it's based on is also exiting stage left, it's only fitting that there won't be a need for another Exorcist any time soon. In other words, get them while they're hot! And few things are hotter than 1,000 horsepower from a supercharged muscle car screaming into the sunset, are they? Especially compared to a bunch of stickers and badges.