2022 CHEVROLET CAMARO DROPS 1LE V6, 1LE TURBO PERFORMANCE PACKAGES

Apparently there just weren’t enough hand-raisers for the Chevrolet Camaro V6 1LE or Turbo 1LE. General Motors recently published the dealer fleet order guide for the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro, and we’re disgruntled to report that the 1LE package is nowhere to be found for variants equipped with either the LGX V6 or LTG turbo-four. In other words, the 1LE package will revert back to being only available on the Camaro SS with its 455 horsepower LT1 V8 engine, and the Camaro ZL1, with its 650 horsepower LT4 supercharged V8 engine.

The 1LE package at one point was nearly every Camaro Coupe trim level in some fashion, from the near-base 1LT all the way to the big dog ZL1. The package made the six-speed manual transmission mandatory on the Camaro Turbo or Camaro V6, while the SS and ZL1 now offer both the stick and ten-speed automatic with the package. The V6 1LE package debuted in 2017, while the Camaro turbo 1LE followed for the 2019 model year.

Every variant of the Chevrolet Camaro 1LE is easily identified by a matte black hood, and a unique wheel design. But these little details aren’t what make the track package special. Below highlights some of the distinct features that both the 1LE turbo and 1LE V6 Camaro muscle cars offered:

– FE3 suspension from the Camaro SS featuring larger diameter front and rear stabilizer bars, specifically tuned dampers, stiffer rear cradle bushings and cross-axis ball joints in the rear tow links that enhance lateral stiffness
– Asymmetrical Goodyear Eagle F1 summer-only tires, measuring P245/40R20 in the front and P275/35R20 in the rear
– 2.0L LTG turbo inline-four engine with 275 hp (205 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm)
– Mechanical Limited-slip differential with 3.27 ratio
– Camaro SS fuel system for higher-load cornering capability
– Dual-mode exhaust (V6 only)
– Auxiliary engine coolant (V6 only)
– Four-piston Brembo brake package with low-metallic performance pads
– Nearly 50/50 weight balance
– Driver Mode Selector with Sport Mode and new Track Mode; Competition Mode (within Sport and Track Modes) includes performance instrument readouts, launch control, shift lights and more
– Standard sueded flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob
– Available Recaro seats
– Available Performance Data Recorder (PDR)

When the 1LE package on the the Camaro Turbo first came out in 2018, yours truly was able to sample it on the freshly built Ridge Motorsports Park in rural Washington state. However, all things considered, we were left wondering who it was for. Compared to other performance vehicles in its price range (Hyundai Veloster N, Subaru Impreza WRX, Volkswagen Golf GTi), which are hot hatches and sedans, the Camaro turbo 1LE and Camaro V6 1LE don’t offer up enough practicality to its owners, who are likely operating on a one-car budget, and standing on their toes for a $4,500 performance package.

At minimum, the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE starts at $30,995 with destination, while the Camaro V6 1LE asks  $32,590 with destination. The 455 hp Camaro LT1 can be had for just $2,405 more, while the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro SS price starts at $38,495. The Camaro SS 1LE starts at $45,495 with destination.

Several examples of the fifth-gen Camaro SS 1LE with an LS3 V8 can be found on various car shopping sites floating around the $30,000 mark, which could have further choked the appeal of the Turbo and V6 1LE packages.

The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro configurator is not yet live, but look for this news to be confirmed when it does.

Designed to conquer the local road course and autocross events, the Chevrolet Camaro 1LE package was developed in 1988 to make the muscle car more competitive in the SSCA Showroom Stock road racing series, and officially debuted in 1989. Four examples were reportedly built in 1988; with 111 built in 1989. The 1LE package was also featured on the fourth-gen Camaro through the 1999 model year, and returned to the fifth-gen Camaro in 2013.

The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro otherwise sees minimal changes. There’s not even a 55th Anniversary Edition happening.