SLP ZL610 Chevrolet Corvette & SLP Cadillac Escalade

Street legal performance, that’s something we’re always looking for more of; and the folks at SLP have been giving it to us since we first sampled their Firehawk back in the 90’s. More recently, we’ve seen a parade of SLP Camaros come our way, each one more exciting than the last. And the folks from muscle car central keep the hammer down this week with a supercharged duet, the SLP ZL610 Corvette and the SLP 525 Escalade.

Cars have come a long way since the Trans Am of the 90’s and SLP has kept right up with the times, now applying their go-fast goodness to Chevrolet’s highest performance model, turning it into the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette SLP ZL610. Much like the Corvette ZR1, the ZL puts out over 600-horsepower, but unlike the ZR1, which comes with fixed roof and manual transmission only; with the ZL you can order a convertible or a removable roof and automatic, which is exactly how our wide-body ZL came equipped. 

As for driving comparisons, the ZL is much more civilized than the ZR1, almost soft. Steering is not quite as tight, but rest assured, it still goes like stink. It took just 11.9-seconds to eat up a quarter mile’s worth of asphalt at our test track. Despite the big power, launching was fairly easy, and we shot to 60 in just 3.8 seconds. It’s a pure thrill ride down the strip, as the rear end never feels like its 100% planted. It may induce a few anxious moments along the way, but it also generated a whole lot of smiles. 

Down the track, the automatic trans. works well, but not so great that we’d take it over the manual. Starting with the General’s LS3 pushrod V8, SLP adds a TVS 2300 supercharger, along with new rockers and valve springs to punch horsepower up to 610. A PowerFlo exhaust system takes care of the leftovers, and pushes them through center mounted exhaust tips; you can choose round or square finishers, whichever you like. And SLP was nice enough to include a composite hood with polycarbonate window, so everyone knows just what’s under the hood. 

Upgrading to the full “wide body” package will also get you the ZR1 style front fascia, splitter, side skirts, and rear ¼ panels, along with a full-width high-lip rear spoiler. Inside, you can add the Alcantara Sport Seat package to the interior that otherwise remains mostly stock. The overall SLP treatment is a nicely done upgrade that doesn’t look aftermarkety. But, it sure does stand out. The only way you could possibly attract more attention would be to have a Kardashian in the passenger seat. 

Now, if you desire high performance, but really need a hauler that hauls, SLP has that covered with the 2012 Cadillac Escalade SLP Sport Edition. It also gains supercharging help for its stock mill, only here its GM’s L94 6.2-liter V8, and puts out a slightly more modest 525-horsepower. Airflow is hurried in through SLP’s Blackwing cold air induction system, and hurried out through a full stainless steel exhaust with dual tips exiting on both sides behind the rear wheels. While the current Escalade is getting long in the tooth, it remains the best way to radiate American excess. However, you can tone it down a little bit with optional blacked out trim. 

Prowling around the streets, this Sport Edition Escalade feels large and in charge, and super powerful, too powerful at times, as its ladder-type truck chassis gets easily overwhelmed. Driving is definitely a 2-hands-on-the-wheel affair. And while the ride to our test track was an adventure; the trip down the strip, was all grip and no slip. Getting to 60 miles-per-hour took only 6.0-seconds; time well spent, as far we’re concerned. 14.6-seconds is all it took trip the lights at the end of the quarter mile while hauling at 96 miles-per-hour. 

Both of these SLPs offer thrills that the stock rides they are based on simply can’t match. And while SLP will do as much or as little as you want, the basic ZL610 package will cost you $19,995 over the Corvette of your choice, while the 525-horsepower Sport Edition package will add $14,995 to any Escalade. All in all, not bad tabs for these Street Legal Performers indeed!