“Murica”, the land of muscle cars captivates us all over again as General Motors has finally pulled the wraps off the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro in its hometown Detroit. For the sixth generation, GM wiped the drawing board clean and restarted work on the Camaro that has emerged as lighter, faster and evolved over the current version while dawning a plethora of new technologies that makes the car flourished for the future. With a promising introduction, let’s take a look at everything that is new with the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro.
To begin with, the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is based on General Motors’ new Alpha architecture that also underpins the new Cadillac ATS and CTS and have been raved for the brilliant dynamics. With the new chassis, GM says that the Camaro is 28 percent more structurally rigid and a host of the components are designed for the muscle car alone. The 2016 Camaro is also smaller in every dimension losing 2.3 inches in length, 0.8 inch in width and 1.1 in height. The wheelbase too has grown smaller by 1.6 inches. In addition, the new Chevy has been on a diet losing about 90 kgs over the predecessor owing to the new platform which is certainly commendable. You see a lot of aluminium parts going into the car including cross-dash beam and aluminium links for the suspension that have helped in the weight loss further.
On the design front, it is certain that styling is the most evolutionary aspect of the all-new Chevrolet Camaro that has grown leaner this time round while retaining the original retro shape. Not only does it look modern but also incorporates a strong body of work with the heavily sculpted hood; bold and wide grille; as well as the new LED daytime running lights incorporated into the headlight cluster that just adds to the menacing persona of the Detroit muscle car. The side profile retains the silhouette very effectively; the rear gets sharp creases, but it’s similar to the outgoing model. The Camaro though, is now all show here; it also gets a tonne of advanced upgrades including the brake-cooling ducts, functional vents and a unique deck spoiler that are restricted to the top-of-the-line SS version and help satiate the power of V8 cylinder engine.
Speaking of which, the all-new Chevy Camaro is available in three engine options with the base versions getting the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor producing 275 HP and 400 Nm of torque and will be the most frugal of the lot while bringing the 0-100 km/hr mark in under 6 seconds. The next option is the redesigned 3.6-litre V6 engine that is tuned emits 335 HP and 385 Nm of torque. The big daddy, however, is the 6.2-litre adrenaline rushing V8 engine that will power the SS version and belts out a whopping 455 HP of power 620 Nm of torque. Carried over from the Corvette Stingray, this motor gets more Camaro specific parts including the Y-shaped exhaust manifolds.
All the versions come with the 8-speed automatic gearbox as standard, while there is also the 6-speed manual available for those who still know to drive stick. Furthermore, the Drive Mode Selector on the Camaro offers up to 8 driving options including Snow/Ice, Sport, Tour and Track (SS only) and also comes with some very interesting tech like launch control, throttle sensitivity, shift mapping in automatic models, the stability control, magnetic shocks, steering weight and interior lighting.
Another highly cool yet retro feature is the tri-bar “Camaro” badging on the front fenders that are available as standard on all 2016 Camaro models. On the inside, the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is a completely new story and sports better equipment and materials onboard, or the company says so. There is the new flat-bottom steering wheel as well as the dual 8-inch display units (optional) and the very cool air-con vents with the fan speed and temperature adjustable by using the rings around the centre air vents. You also get the optional BOSE audio system on offer that emits fake engine sound into the cabin for the base versions, but thankfully can be switched off.
GM will be offering the Camaro in ten exterior paint colours along with a host of accessories on offer. The automaker is also yet to reveal the newer versions of the ZL1, Z/28 and SS 1LE along with the Camaro Convertible that will follow later in the year. Promising as it looks, should the Ford Mustang feel the heat of the new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro? It’s almost there, we’d say.
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