Chevrolet introduces its latest powerhouse

Vehicle mass has been reduced by 200 pounds. The new 2.0l turbo is SAE-certified at 205kW and 400Nm. The all-new 3.6l V-6 and the LT1 6.2l V-8, which is SAE-certified at 339kW and 617Nm for the most powerful Camaro SS ever. Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

Camaro’s leaner, stiffer platform and slightly smaller dimensions have been meticulously tuned in the wind tunnel and contributes to performance through reduced aerodynamic lift for better handling and efficiency. “Redesigning the Camaro was 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.”

Chevrolet focused on three pillars of development: Performance, technology like the all-new Drive Mode Selector, which tailors up to eight vehicle attributes for four modes: Snow/Ice, Tour, Sport and – on SS models – Track settings and more, and then design.

Chevrolet met with literally thousands of Gen 5 Camaro owners and 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. “The driving experience is significantly different,” said Aaron Link, lead development engineer. “Immediately, you will notice how much lighter and more nimble the Camaro feels. That feeling increases when you drive the Camaro harder – it brakes more powerfully, dives into corners quicker, and accelerates faster than ever.”

Both the 3.6l V-6 and 6.2l V-8 feature mechanical sound enhancers – resonators that direct induction noise from the engine bay into the cabin. Both engines are available with a dual-mode exhaust, which features electronically controlled valves that bypass the mufflers under acceleration, delivering improved performance and greater sound levels.

“From every angle, you’ll never mistake this for anything but a Camaro,” said Tom Peters, design director. “We’ve taken that iconic design and amplified its proportions to reflect a more dynamic driving experience – like the T-shirt on a muscular physique.”
Like the exterior, the interior is completely new yet instantly recognisable. The instrument panel, for example, is a departure from the previous model, but retains the Camaro’s familiar dual-binnacle-style instrument cluster hood.

The instrument cluster features analogue instruments to provide the driver with essential performance information, as well as an available eight-inch diagonal high-definition centre screen that can be configured to provide additional information including navigation, performance, and infotainment features.

Will Chevrolet bring it to South Africa? “Unfortunately no – it is not available in right-hand drive,” says Chevrolet’s product communications manager, Lunga Ntsendwana.