Skip to main content

The race-ready Camaro GT4.R lobs a new salvo of horsepower into the pony car war

After 50 years, the Ford Mustang versus Chevrolet Camaro rivalry is still going strong.

Chevy has a new racing version of its Camaro called the GT4.R. As the name suggests, it’s built to international GT4 class rules, so it can race in a variety of series in the United States and Europe against a variety of cars. One of those cars will be the GT4 version of the Mustang Ford unveiled last year. So does the Camaro GT4.R have what it takes to compete with its eternal rival?

Recommended Videos

To create this race car, Chevy basically combined two road-going versions of the Camaro. The body is based on the recently unveiled ZL1 1LE, arguably the most hardcore version of the Camaro available to people who don’t have a racing license. Working off that base, substantial modifications were made, including a change in engine.

The stock ZL1 1LE has Chevy’s LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V8, which produces 650 horsepower. But GT4 class rules prohibit the supercharged engine, so the Camaro GT4.r uses the naturally-aspirated LT1 6.2-liter V8 from the Camaro SS, tuned to about 420 hp. The GT4.R uses a six-speed sequential transmission, along with an Xtrac limited-slip differential at the back.

The job of turning a Camaro into a race car belongs to Pratt & Miller, the shop that builds Chevy’s Corvette race cars. In addition to the drivetrain swap, major changes are made to the suspension, including the installation of Ohlins two-way adjustable dampers. The stock electric power steering is also replaced with an old school hydraulic system, and virtually everything is stripped out of the interior. The GT4.R weighs 3,150 pounds, compared to 3,820 pounds for a stock ZL1 1LE.

The Camaro GT4.R made its racing debut over the weekend, in the Pirelli World Challenge round at St. Petersburg, Florida. It will continue to compete in that series, as well as the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, where it will go head to head with the Ford Mustang. Because it’s built to GT4 specs, the Camaro is also eligible to compete internationally.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
8 key things you need to know from Apple’s WWDC 2025 event
From a fresh look and updated names, to new features, more intelligence and live translation
iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.

The WWDC 2025 keynote ran for just over an hour and a half. For those of you who don't fancy sitting through the whole presentation, we've pulled out the key things you need to know from the latest Apple event.

1. Welcome to the 26 club

Read more
Tesla’s robotaxi service is almost here, but it’s not the car you want to see
Silver Tesla Model Y Juniper side

Tesla chief Elon Musk has said that the automaker is aiming to launch its robotaxi service on June 22, in Austin, Texas.

“Tentatively, June 22,” Musk said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding: “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.”

Read more
I tried an e-bike for the first time and now I’m hooked
It’s not about being a 'bike person', it’s about finding small upgrades to everyday life
A woman sitting on the Aventon Pace 4

Before this year, I’d never even touched an e-bike before, and the thought of riding one was never on my radar. With life already in constant motion thanks to two toddlers, biking wasn’t something I ever considered adding to the mix.

I’d always assumed e-bikes were for hardcore commuters or serious cyclists, not someone like me. I wasn’t looking for a big lifestyle change. I just wanted a quicker way to get to the park so we’d have more time to play before dinner.

Read more