Camaro Coupe

Make
Chevrolet
Segment
Coupe

Automakers, especially American ones, love to reuse classic nameplates on new models. Nowhere is this trend more prevalent than with muscle cars. Dodge has revived many names from its past, including Scat Pack and Daytona, while Ford recently brought back the Mach 1 name for the Mustang. Chevrolet is no stranger to riving names from the past, either with previous Camaro iterations like Z28 and ZL1 seeing recent use.

But there is one version of the Camaro that hasn't been brought back recently; the IROC-Z. Originally offered in 1985 as an upgrade package for the Z28, the nameplate has been absent from the Camaro lineup since 1990. What would it look like if they IROC-Z returned today? Instagram Oscar V has an idea.

The rendering shows a modern-day 2021 Chevrolet Camaro with retro styling from the third-generation IROC-Z model. If we are honest, the third-generation Camaro's boxy roofline doesn't blend well with the current sixth-generation model's rounded body, but the front end styling looks admittedly cool. The roofline may look akward, but it would be nice to see Chevy bring back a hatchback-style trunk for the Camaro to offer more storage space.

Chevy named the IROC-Z Camaro after the International Race of Champions, a race that the Camaro and Pontiac Firebird Trans Am once competed in. GM recently attempted to trademark the name with the USPTSO, but ultimated abandoned the attempt. Perhaps since the International Race of Champions died off back in 2006, Chevy didn't think the name would be relevant in 2020.

Even if it didn't bring back the styling from the third-generation model, we believe the Camaro could use a performance variant between the SS and ZL1 to compete directly against the new Mustang Mach 1. The Camaro SS currently produces 455 horsepower from its 6.2-liter V8, while the ZL1 bumps the output to 650 hp with help from a supercharger. A mid-level Z28 IROC-Z model could offer around 480 to 500 hp, bridging the gap between the SS and ZL1 while also giving the 480-hp Mach 1 a run for its money.