Chevrolet have introduced the sixth-generation of their iconic muscle car, the Camaro, with a choice of three engines, including a turbo four.
The muscle-car evolution continues with the all-new Camaro. The 2016 model appears with an even narrower front grille and a larger air dam, as compared to the then revamped and reintroduced Camaro from six years ago, which grew extremely popular on account of its aggressive front face and design language, and also featured as ‘Bumblebee’ in the Transformers movie franchise. Another noticeable change? The absence of the gills on the front of the rear wheel arches; a signature design element on the Camaro from 1969, and 2009.
The 3.6-litre V6 and 6.2-litre V8 engines are still on offer, but have been improved, and in a big way. The V6 petrol engine is still direct-injected and features continuously variable valve timing. It now packs 340 PS and 385 Nm. However, the main change is the introduction of Active Fuel Management using cylinder deactivation.
The V8 gets the benefit of direct injection and, thus, a significant bump in power, torque and efficiency. The growling bad-boy Small-Block LT-1 (from the Corvette Stingray) now makes 461 PS of peak grunt and 617 Nm of torque, a significant step up. The SS version also packs Magnetic Ride Control, as seen on the Cadillac CTS-V. Active Fuel Management is available on automatic transmission models. The claimed 0-100 sprint time is now just 4 seconds! Weight-loss is to the tune of over 90 kg.
A new addition to the line-up is the 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct injected four-cylinder petrol engine with 279 PS and 400 Nm. This was the inevitable, because of A) emission norms, and B) the Ford Mustang EcoBoost. Even so, with a 5.4-second 0-100 km/h dash and a 14-seconds quarter mile, this engine is out to prove itself worthy.
There’s more changes on the inside and on the technology front with the inclusion of drive modes for Snow/Ice, Tour and Sport, with the SS getting a Track mode too. Spectrum Lighting uses 24 different ambient lighting effects on the dashboard, door panels, and the centre console.
Whether the Camaro will come to India still remains a mystery, but in our hearts, we hope that the arrival of the Ford Mustang GT will have the Indian arm of Chevy knocking on their HQ’s doors, and then, there’s the Dodge Challenger.
Story: Jim Gorde
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