2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 sweats the small stuff with aerodynamic “Flowtie” badge

By Stephen Edelstein March 11, 2014

2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is a no-compromise car.

In the age of infotainment and motion-activated tailgates, the Z/28 is sold without air conditioning, and the only speaker is for the door chime. It’s not surprising, then, that even the iconic Chevy Bowtie badge was subjected to some tweaking to maximize performance.

As GM recounts, it became apparent during aerodynamic testing that the stock Bowtie was displacing air away from the radiator, which limits its ability to coll the engine. Not good.

Obviously, removing the badge altogether would invite the ire of Chevy loyalists and the marketing department, so, in what is sure to become a piece of Camaro lore, engineer Richard Quinn took a cutoff wheel to the badge, removing the gold trim around the edges.

The slimmed-down Bowtie allowed an extra three cubic meters of air into the engine per minute, dropping engine coolant and oil temperatures by 2 degrees Fahrenheit during extended track sessions, according to GM.

Christened “Flowtie”, it was made standard equipment for the production Z/28. Presumably GM has figured out a way to make them without the need for cutting tools.

A modified badge might seem inconsequential, but it speaks volumes about the Z/28.

Like its Trans Am ancestor, the latest Z/28 was built to conquer racetracks. It’s less powerful than the supercharged Camaro ZL1, but also lighter. Consequently, Chevy says it beat the more muscular Camaro around its test track during development.

Even more impressive is the Z/28’s Nurburgring lap time of 7:37:40, which faster than the exotic Lexus LFA.

How many tenths do you think that “Flowtie” was worth?

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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