By Karl Brauer of www.forbes.com
The Chevrolet Camaro is among the most iconic vehicle nameplates in automotive history. It has represented Chevrolet’s performance entry in the muscle car segment for almost 50 years, though it went on hiatus for several years starting in the early 2000s. That hiatus, and the resulting pent-up demand from Camaro fans, is among the reasons this model has outsold its primary competitors since it re-emerged in Chevy showrooms 5 years ago. With over 80,000 sales a year the current Camaro already owns the performance coupe segment, so why redesign it from the ground up? Because the current Camaro, despite its recent success, is struggling against the competition. At Kelley Blue Book we are seeing sales slip this year even as dealer incentives rise. The Camaro’s longstanding issues related to outward visibility and interior material quality are chief among its challenges.
And given the improvements we’ve seen across the Chevrolet line over the last few years it was only a matter of time before the Camaro got its own makeover. We were fortunate enough to see the all-new 2016 Camaro unveiled in person. Better still, we actually got to drive it less than 24 hours after the world debut. Here are the top 10 things we learned about Chevrolet’s latest update to its historic performance car.
1. All-New Platform: Starting with GM’s Alpha platform, the same rear-wheel-drive platform used under Cadillac’s ATS and CTS, the new Camaro loses over 200 pounds yet provides a 28 percent stiffer structure. The updated structure results in much-improved ride and handling characteristics. The new Camaro is also slightly smaller than the outgoing model, with a 1.6 inch drop in wheelbase and 2.3 inch reduction in overall vehicle length.
2. Aluminum-Intensive Assemblies: Much of that 200-pound weight loss program comes through the use of aluminum suspension components. The multi-link McPherson strut front suspension and updated five-link independent rear suspension lighten the Camaro where it most benefits handling. Chevrolet also added its Magnetic Ride Control technology as an option on SS models, infusing the new Camaro with one of the most advanced and effective suspension systems on the planet.
3. Turbocharged 4 Cylinder: The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro comes with its first turbocharged engine as a base drivetrain. It’s a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder making 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Chevrolet says this engine will propel the Camaro from zero-to-60 mph in “well under 6 seconds” while delivering more than 30 highway mpg. This engine, as well as the V6 and V8, can be attached to either an 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.
4. Brand-New V6: A direct-injected, 3.6-liter V6 engine is the mid-grade powerplant. It utilizes variable valve timing to deliver 335 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque, which is the highest output for an engine of that size in the segment. It uses cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency, though Chevrolet didn’t have any mpg numbers to offer at the Camaro’s introduction. It also sounded great, delivering a deep growl when we flogged the engineering prototypes at Detroit’s Belle Island race track.
5. High Power V8: The new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro in SS trim comes with its most powerful V8 ever. The 6.2-liter direct-injected engine makes 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. This V8 offers a substantial power advantage over the competition and, combined with the new Camaro’s lighter weight and improved chassis, has it pulling better lap times than the outgoing, track-focused Camaro 1LE model (according to Chevrolet).
6. Revised Exterior Design: It’s not obvious at first glance, but the new Camaro really is all new on the outside. Every exterior panel has been revised to give the car a cleaner shape that’s also more aerodynamic for improved fuel efficiency. SS models are tweaked to create downforce at high speed and LED exterior lighting is standard on all RS and SS models. SS models also get functional brake cooling ducts in the front fascia and engine cooling vents in the hood.
7. Drive Mode Selector: The new Camaro adds a Drive
Mode Selector switch, allowing drivers to select one of three settings:
Snow/Ice, Tour and Sport. SS models add a fourth “Track” setting, and
each setting alters throttle response, transmission shift programs (on
automatic models), steering feel, exhaust note, stability control and
suspension damping (on models with Magnetic Ride Control). These modes
even alter the Camaro’s new optional ambient interior light settings
(more on that below).
8. Advanced Technology Features: Technology plays a pivotal role in modern automobiles, and the 2016 Camaro reflects this with a collection of new tech toys. The aforementioned ambient lighting runs through the dash, door panels and center console, giving drivers 24 colors to choose from. Two new optional 8-inch color display screens (one in the dash, one in the gauge cluster) control navigation and audio functions, while a new electronic parking brake cleans up the center console area.
9. Upgraded Interior Design: The outgoing Camaro had many desirable characteristics, but its interior wasn’t one of them. Both the layout and material quality were subpar, and with recent updates to the Camaro’s primary competition it simply wasn’t competitive. The 2016 version addresses this with an all-new cabin featuring high-quality materials, a more effective gauge cluster and innovative controls for the ventilation system, which has been relocated to clean up the dash layout.
10. It All Works: In an unprecedented move, Chevrolet allowed us to drive early engineering prototypes of the 2016 Camaro less than 24 hours after its global debut. This means I can offer more than theoretical feedback on the new model’s updates, and I’m happy to report its lighter weight delivers the expected benefits. Circulating the Belle Island race course in Detroit, in both 2015 and 2016 versions of the V6 Camaro, highlighted the new car’s superior steering, ride quality and handling confidence.
It will take additional seat time to uncover all the subtleties of the new car’s improvements (at least, that’s what I’m telling my Chevy contacts…), but a brief drive in the new one confirms Chevrolet has elevated the Camaro’s standing in the performance coupe segment, making the race for first place far more interesting.
As a longstanding muscle car fan it thrills me to see the muscle car wars among domestic automakers going strong. And Chevy’s new, high-caliber weapon is going to do some damage.
Source;
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kbrauer/2015/05/18/2016-chevrolet-camaro-top-10-new-features-chevys-all-new-muscle-car/
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