Chevrolet has been redesigning it’s sixth generation of Camaro, improving handling, creating a lighter body with a more nimble response and giving consumers more options for the powertrain.
“Redesigning the Camaro is thrilling and challenging all at once, but the secret is to offer something more,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president of Product Development. “For Camaro enthusiasts, it retains iconic design cues and offers even more performance. For a new generation of buyers, the 2016 Camaro incorporates our most innovative engineering ideas with finely honed performance and leading design.”
Only two parts carry over from the previous model, the rear bowtie emblem and the SS badging, everything else Chevrolet has redesigned, including a 200-pound loss in weight, depending on the model.
Part of the reason for the loss in weight is the switch to lighter weight components, such as the new aluminum instrument panel frame instead of a steel one (saving 9 pounds) or the aluminum front and rear suspension links (saving 26 pounds).
Combined with the newly redesigned powertrain, which comes in a turbo 2.0L creating 275 hp and 295 ftlbs of torque (with a 0-60 in under six seconds) or the 3.6L V-6 with 335hp and 284 ftlbs of torque or, if the choices weren’t already good, one could also select the SS engine with a 6.2L LT1 V-8 which produces 455 hp and 455 ftlbs of torque.
The SS will also come with magnetic ride control suspension and will include improved handling over other models for those trackdays.
“We have had the incredible opportunity to meet literally thousands of Gen 5 Camaro owners who provided direct feedback on what they loved about their car and what they wanted for the next-gen Camaro,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “As a result, the 2016 Camaro builds on what made the current Camaro such a success with more power, more agile handling and more technology.”
Other features include new drive selections with up to eight modes, such as snow or ice, touring, sport or track (on SS models), interior ambient lighting with 24 different effects, and a more athletic exterior, boasting 10 color choices.
The 2016 Camaro goes on sale soon and will be offered in LT and SS models.
