(Photos: GM) Chevrolet really only promised a few things when discussing the sixth-generation Camaro: it would move to the GM Alpha platform that also underpins the Cadillac ATS and it would lose weight. And it has done both, with at least 200 lbs. shed from the old Zeta platform car. What was yet to be seen was how it would cope with the updated competition: The Ford Mustang got an all-new platform, went on a small diet, ditched the live rear axle for an IRS setup, and put a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in as the midrange option. It has been on sale for a bit and has even made the official jump across the pond to Europe. On the other end of the scale you have the bombastic and brutal Dodge Challenger, which pretty much has a V6 simply for fleet sales, a 5.7L V8 for a base offering, and from there the insanity just ramps up until you reach the Hellcat variation with it’s 707 horsepower and expletive-inducing amounts of torque and wheelspin. How would Chevrolet change the Camaro to hang with both ends of the spectrum?
Let’s start with the styling. It is certainly more evolutionary than anything else, but there are noticeable differences. The body is more chiseled, with lines breaking up what were expansive areas of plastic, especially in the rear bumper area. The nose gets a bigger lower grille opening, and the headlights have a subtle nod to the 1970.5-1981 headlight/turn signal layout that comes across more genuine than the fifth-gen cars. There are two different nose caps, one for base and RS and one specifically for the SS model. As for COPO, Z/28, 1LE and ZL-1 those are yet to be seen. According to GM, only two parts were carried over from the fifth-generation cars: the bowtie badge on the tail of the car and the “SS” badge. Overall, the Camaro appears to have visually trimmed down and has cued the retro down a notch or two.
The bigger news happens underneath the hood. Initially, there are three engine options available: the 6.2L LT1 from the Corvette Stingray appears for the SS model, and is rated at 455hp/455tq right out of the box. The 3.6L V6 pushes 335hp/295tq (no, this isn’t the 464hp LF4 from the ATS-V, though we suspect it my show up here sometime soon) and finally, there is the 2.0L turbo four cylinder that comes in at 270hp and 295 ft/lbs of torque, and is expected to push the Camaro to a sub-six-second 0-60 time. It’s not EcoBoost territory, but GM is using the four-cylinder as the base engine and is running the V6 as the middle man, unlike Ford. All engines are paired off with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. Good bits like the Brembo brake kit and the rev-matching system for the six-speed have been retained, and GM claims that the 2016 SS will hand the 2015 1LE it’s plastic backside on any track…that’s a pretty bold claim. Part of that claim is probably due to the MagnaRide magnetorehological shock system being available on the SS model for the first time.
Inside, again the theme is “evolution”, and in a good way. A full gauge cluster is right up front and center, the infotainment/stereo screen is within easy reach, and finally, GM has done some aesthetic sculpting involving the rest of the dashboard. We don’t know if seats like the Stingray’s will appear, but if anyone at Chevrolet is reading this, please make that happen…the C7’s seats are that good. Yes, that is an electronic parking break, and it was installed simply to free up the space for better packaging. For just a touch of the Camaro’s disco-car reputation, the interior gets what Chevy is calling “Spectrum Lighting” which offers, and I quote: “24 different colors, as well as fade and transition effects that spread across the interior. There’s even a theatrical “car show” mode that cycles randomly through the entire color spectrum when the Camaro is parked.” We will hold judgement on the Camaro’s biggest issues, the gun-slit windows, until we see the new car in person.
So what is our initial take from the unveiling? It’s obvious that GM is setting their crosshairs directly onto the Mustang and are going for the “less is more” approach…at least, for now. Bringing in the turbo four should help the CAFE ratings some, and we’ve seen what that 3.6L V6 can do in the ATS-V…while we are a little disappointed that the LF4 didn’t make it into the Camaro from the start, we’re holding out hope, and besides, 330hp is still plenty stout for a V6 pony car. The LT1 is a balanced stomper in the Corvette Stingray, so it was a natural choice for the Camaro. Surprisingly enough, the engine only loses 10 ft/lb of torque in the Camaro compared to the Corvette, which goes against the usual grain of GM’s power hierarchy system that saw Corvette top, everyone else seriously underrated. We are curious to see just how different the new Camaro is from the old in terms of driving experience, but until the cars start appearing later this fall, all of that will fall to speculation. In the meantime, it looks like General Motors went for balance with the new Camaro. Let’s see if they have actually achieved it.
I see that worthless POS 3.6 V6 every day broken down in various shops. That thing is worse than a diesel Olds or a Caddy 4-6-8. If any idiot buys one of those crap motors they get what they deserve.
Since the car is sitting on an all new platform, why didn’t the styling change more drastically? It sill looks like an evolution of the 5th gen. Which is the same criticism I have of the current Mustang. If it’s a new car, why does it still look like the old car?
Yeah, the 3.6L VVT is absolutely garbage. Needs three sets of timing chains by the time it hits 100K, if it hasn’t blown up from burning a 2-3 quarts every thousand miles
” …There’s even a theatrical “car show” mode that cycles randomly through the entire color spectrum when the Camaro is parked.”
Someone in Detroit has discovered Christmas tree lights, apparently.
I was wondering how the pony cars styling would evolve after the retro re-birth of the past decade. I kind of would have liked to see them styled more after the 2nd gen as if we were in some kind of weird time warp.I think the engine choices are solid, and leave room for an eventual ZL1 stomper/hellcat fighter. I also think the 4-6-8 transition makes a lot more sense than the Ford 6-4-8 stair case.
I was at the unveiling yesterday. This car is amazing! They fixed pretty much all of my complaints regarding the 5th gen. It now looks more lean/chiseled. The proportions just look right. With 200 less lbs and 29 more hp, this baby should fly! They stated that the standard SS is now faster around the track than the current 1LE.
It was an awesome event! The hot lap in the Z28 around the granx prix course was a once in a lifetime deal. I couldn’t believe they hit 130 mph down the straightaway.
“I see that worthless POS 3.6 V6 every day broken down in various shops.”
One of our Caprice scout car has a 3.6. I am more impressed with it than the V6’s offered in the Charger and Taurus, which we also have. To date, it has shown no signs of trouble, and here in Detroit, I would argue that our cars are ran harder than anywhere else.
Unveiled – yet another hunka shit from Chevy…….
I’ve owned 4 generations of Camaros, never really cared for the 4th gen and the 5th and 6th gen look like overweight fat bastards. They need to channel the car another 3 inches to make it more lean and mean looking.
Let me correct myself, they should section not channel the body 3 inches. The body looks too tall with hardly any greenhouse.
I have to agree. That’s been my complaint with the Challenge as well. They’re just too “fat”.
I like it…. seems like a Vette with a back seat..
Styling cues taken from the Toyota Camry I see. Damn but that front end treatment is hideous.
Now, if only they had a delete option that would get that plastic lane divider/cup holder from down the center between the front seats. Not only that, but maybe another option to delete the interior clown lights and I’d be good to go. Less is more in my book.
And where is the Z/28 model?
I’m not seeing the 2nd gen in the headlight/turn signal at all.
The first thing I noticed was the “reversed Coke-bottle” shape at the bottom of the doors.
Are Detroit stylists blind? Did the team that came up with this high five each other when they got the green light? Ugly, looks like more like a Celica/Mustang from the belt line up, Chevy has persisted with that dropdeadugly rear tail light/squished grill headlight set up that looks like a fat kid squinting where if they’d been more loyal to the first gen I’d venture a guess they’d have sold a helluva lot more of them than these Transformers lookalikes. I love Chevrolet, but between the new Vette/Ferrari and this Camaro it’s time to admit Chevrolet has run out of good looking cars. Sigh…………
Considering the modern crash safety, pedestrian safety and fuel economy standards they have to hit I think Chevy did a great job with this.
Face it, folks: cars will never again look like 1970.
Still, I’m a little underwhelmed by a 200 lb savings off the previous generation. It’s good but it’s not “wow” good.
I should be so lucky as to someday have a 2016 Camaro. Now let’s see the new z/28, see if it keeps the pace with the 350-R…