Just the Facts:

• Chevrolet says the 2013 Camaro SS with the 1LE performance package is "one of the most affordable, most capable track-day cars offered by any manufacturer."
• Priced from under $40,000, the 2013 Camaro 1LE is aimed at amateur track-day racers.
• The 1LE cockpit borrows the flat-bottom steering wheel and short-throw shifter from the ZL1, both trimmed in sueded microfiber.

DETROIT — Chevrolet says the 2013 Camaro SS with the 1LE performance package is "one of the most affordable, most capable track-day cars offered by any manufacturer."

Priced from under $40,000, the 2013 Camaro 1LE is aimed at amateur track-day racers. Chevrolet said it is pursuing SCCA approval of the 1LE package for Touring Class competition.

For 2013, Chevy is offering the 1LE package only on the Camaro SS coupe equipped with the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 and Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission geared for road racing. Visual cues include matte-black hood, functional front splitter and rear spoiler.

Among the features on the 2013 Camaro 1LE package are monotube rear shocks, larger front and rear stabilizers, beefed-up rear axle and strut tower brace. Variable-rate electric power steering, adapted from the Camaro ZL1, is new for 2013, as is an optional dual-mode exhaust system.
Also lifted from the ZL1 are 20-inch, 10-spoke aluminum wheels, painted black with Goodyear Eagle Supercar G:2 tires sized 285/35ZR20, as well as ZL1 wheel bearings, toe links, rear shock mounts, high-capacity fuel pump and additional fuel pickups.

The 1LE cockpit borrows the flat-bottom steering wheel and short-throw shifter from the ZL1. Both are trimmed in sueded microfiber.

Inside Line says: The Camaro 1LE dates back 25 years.

The Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 was thought to be the obvious rival for the Ford Mustang Boss 302, as history would have shown. General Motors has thought otherwise, deciding that their ultimate handling pony car shall be the 1LE, which will sell for under $40,000 and offer a claimed 1g of handling.

This Camaro is similar to how the Corvette Grand Sport was designed. Engineers have taken some good bits from the range-topping ZL1, and put them into the 1SS and 2SS models to make the 1LE. This includes things like a transmission cooler, short-throw shifter, suspension geometry, fuel system components, 10-spoke wheels, and steering wheel.

Other changes that separate the 1LE to other V-8 Camaros include a switch to monotube rear shocks, upgraded axle shafts for better cornering, uprated front and rear swaybars and a strut-bar. Outside, stylists have forgone a gaudy body kit and instead offer a matte-black hood, front lip spoiler and trunk spoiler. Everything else is plain old 1SS or 2SS Camaro, but only comes with a manual transmission (which will probably change much like the ZL1.)

Read FoxNews.com Auto's review of the Mustang Boss 302

All these changes are well and good, but may not be enough to dominate the Boss 302 from its track day, pony car pedestal. There doesn’t seem to be any real weight-savings attempts on the car, something that seems to be essential for a serious track day special. Also there aren’t any engine tweaks to produce more power like the Ford as well. The only thing it seems to do better with is a cheaper price than the Mustang, which starts at $42,995.

Whether it offers a better performance than the Boss 302 will remain unseen until a comparison can be done.