Arguably one of the most iconic American muscle cars of the 1980s, a digital artist jlord8 reimagines the IROC-Z to present-day standards.
In the ever-stagnant world of automotive car design, automakers tend to stick close to the industry standards related to the latest design cues.
The cars of today look nothing like they did as recently as 10 years ago. But when you age alongside the designs, the evolution is slow enough to the point where various minor changes over the years have led us to the bubbly, yet sharp-edged motifs we currently are witnessing.
Arguably, no designs are more stagnant than those currently inhabiting American Domestic Market. However, with the amount of volume sold from brands like Ford and Dodge, it’s hard to argue the need for an update.
But then there is Chevrolet and the all-but-forgotten Camaro. Once the hottest seller in the early ’10s, the sports car has since fallen off, as they struggle to sell half of what the Mustang and Challenger produce. Fortunately for the Camaro, digital artist known as jlord8 in the social media sphere understands blending a marque’s history with its latest example often is a recipe for perfection.
In this case, he presents the Chevrolet Camaro IROC-ZL1.
Updated March 2023: With the excitement of @jlord8’s Chevrolet Camaro IROC-ZL1 concept, many fans wonder if a new IROC-Z Camaro will ever return. Read on to find out if there will be a new IROC Camaro and the fate of the Camaro model line after 2024.
Remembering A Legend: The IROC-Z
Originally introduced in 1985, the IROC-Z was an option package based on Chevy’s joint venture with the International Race of Champions — the motorsports equivalent to an all-star game. This also seems to be the inspiration for jlord8. He takes the best from the IROC and the ZL1 and blends them into a unique and interesting modern-day classic car.
Keeping the third-generation’s complex, yet iconic hatchback glass, sloping front end, and five-spoke wheels, the IROC-ZL1 manages to modernize the third-generations dated looks without appearing disingenuine.
Adding The Camaro ZL1’s Engine
Much like the IROC-Z during its day in the sun, the Camaro ZL1 is a track-inspired sports car with all the bells and whistles to make your next day at the circuit a successful one.
Doing away with virtually any trace of the current ZL1 — minus the front-end splitter and two-tone paint job — the real intriguing bit about this render is the idea that underneath the carbon fiber hood sits Chevy’s massive supercharged LT4 V8.
Powering the high-output ZL1 and Corvette Z06, the 6.2-liter engine doles out 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque and would take the IROC’s humble power figures from around 215 Horsepower (in 1990) and triple it. This makes the Camaro render not only a modern-day take on a classic design but one capable of rivaling the best sports cars on the market today.
Do They Still Make IROC-Z?
The IROC-Z model arrived during the third-generation Camaro run from 1982-1992. This particular package was available as a trim level on Z28 Camaro models from 1985-1990.
Although the IROC-Z has not been available in an official form since 1990, the fifth-generation Camaro has a special Z28 model with the 7.0-liter engine from the C6 Corvette Z06. This Z28 model ran from 2014-2015 as the fifth-gen Camaro ended production.
Will The IROC Ever Come Back?
The return of the IROC Camaro is highly unlikely. This is because the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro is the last year of production for the iconic muscle car, making any special edition IROC-Z, Z28, or other potential trims just a pipe dream.
There are rumors of a new Camaro SUV arriving in the near future similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but Chevrolet has not confirmed this as of yet. Let’s just hope they don’t call it a Chevrolet Camaro IROC-E.
