The sixth-generation 2016 Chevrolet Camaro has been revealed overnight in the US boasting more power and improved suspension.

THE 2016 CHEVROLET CAMARO has been revealed overnight with GM saying it “offers higher levels of performance, technology and refinement and is designed to maintain the sporty car segment leadership earned over the past five years”. The Camaro has out-sold the Ford Mustang since 2010, but with a brand-new, global Mustang now in Ford’s armoury, Chevrolet has a real fight on its hands.

Six all-new powertrain combinations are offered, including a 2.0L Turbo, an all-new 3.6L V-6 and the LT1 6.2L V-8, which offers 339kW and 617Nm – making it the most powerful Camaro SS ever. Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

According to GM, the 2016 Camaro gets a “driver-focused interior integrates class-leading control technologies, including a new Driver Mode Selector, configurable instrument cluster and a customizable ambient lighting feature”.

“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 (and former Holden MD). 

“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 fifth-generation Camaro to the new Gen Six: the rear bowtie emblem and the SS badge. GM says it focussed on three key elements to make the Camaro “one of the best performance cars available”:

Performance

• Vehicle mass has been reduced by 90kg or more, depending on the model, creating a more nimble, responsive driving experience
• Most efficient Camaro ever, with a new 2.0L turbo with 205kW and 400Nm – and 0-60mph (96km/h) acceleration well under 6 seconds
• Efficient performance in a new 3.6L V-6 featuring direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and – for the first time – Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), offering 250kW and 385Nm
• The most powerful Camaro SS ever, with a new 6.2L LT1 direct-injected Small Block V8 rated at 339kW and 617Nm
• Magnetic Ride Control active suspension available on Camaro SS for the first time with improved handling and performance, the Camaro SS delivers better lap times than the fifth-generation’s track-focused Camaro 1LE package.

Technology

• 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
• Segment-exclusive, Interior Spectrum Lighting that offers 24 different ambient lighting effects on the dash, door panels, and centre console
• High-definition, configurable colour displays – including available dual, 8-inch-diagonal screens.

Design

• More athletic-looking, sculptured exterior that complements the tighter, leaner architecture – and offers all-new, modern lighting signatures, including light-emitting diode (LED) technology
• Greater emphasis on customer personalization with wider range of choices, including 10 exterior colours, five interior colour combinations, lighting options and a full complement of dealer-available accessories available at launch – including wheels, stripe packages and additional accessories
• Aerodynamically optimized design that is the result of 350 hours of wind tunnel testing, reducing drag on LT models and improving downforce on SS
• All-new, interior with shifter-focused center console, intuitive controls, flat-bottom steering wheel, and higher quality materials throughout
• Unique control rings around the air vents used for temperature and fan speed adjustments, eliminating the need for conventional buttons.

Holden has yet to say whether the new Camaro will be available in Australia, but with a new Mustang soon to be on the market here, and the Commodore soon to be no more, you’d have to think Holden would be begging the US for the muscle car. Stay tuned.