A 1,200-mile road trip that touched on four states over 2-1/2 days allowed some good "soak" time to get familiar with the 2016 Camaro SS. Chevrolet's "Find New Roads" media drive — in a nationwide PR blitz through many regions of the contiguous 48 states — was Chevy's way to introduce the new and sixth generation Camaro.
It was at times a wild ride in the SS — driver induced in the 455 horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 with its short-throw, six-speed manual trans and rev-matching downshifts. The raucous run demonstrated fully the 10-hour comfortable sport seats and the depth of engineering that makes this car something of a four-seat Corvette. The faster you go, the more it stretches out and settles in — balanced, nailing corners, provoking smiles.
The body still has the brooding visage of Darth Vader's helmet, with its compromised sight lines, but there is so much more that brings reward. It is a bimodal platform of pleasure for daily driving and weekend roaming.
The new coupe will be rolling into dealerships any day, with major revisions and more power to the standard 3.6-liter V-6 and the 6.2-liter V8 in the SS with six-speed manual or optional eight-speed automatic transmissions. As before, it is rear-wheel drive with four seats. A 275-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder will be added by spring, when a soft-top convertible also goes on sale.
Pricing starts at $26,695 for the base 335-hp, V-6 1LT and $37,395 for the Camaro SS; pricing includes the $995 freight charge from Lansing Grand Rapids, Michigan. My 1SS tester was $48,395 with the extras that most enthusiasts would want. Even so, that price is grand-theft auto for 0-60 acceleration in 4.3 seconds with average fuel economy of 21-24 mpg — neatly forged with a galvanized bow tie of Chevrolet Racing engineering.
With a chassis all its own now — and with more aerodynamic testing than any previous Camaro — the new model rides like a billet bullet, stiff and sleek. It was a clean-sheet redesign, leaner and a slightly smaller slipper now than the Camaro5: 2.3 inches shorter, .08 inch narrower and 1.1 inches lower on a 110.7-inch wheelbase that is 1.6 inches shorter.
Weighing up to 390 pounds less than last year's model, the 3,685-pound curb weight of the Camaro SS seems substantial. It doesn't feel it.
There are many engaging design treatments inside and useful storage areas and charging ports. Nifty circle vents in the instrument panel integrate temperature control (left) and fan speed (right). Sliding visors have covered and lighted mirrors. The lighted gauge cluster is a colorful and bright video display. Large circles for tachometer and speedo have a digital readout between that is especially useful for speed and other onboard statistics, such as for tire air pressure, oil life and trip mileage.
The flat-bottom SS wheel gives thigh space to the large and tall. Trunk space seems larger than its 9 cubic feet, but the opening is smallish with a tall lift-over. And an electric parking brake, with the switch on the center console, frees up some foot room.
And there are some disengaging features. The foot box seemed narrow for quick action with large shoes, and the clutch and brake pedals are not aligned for those who still heel-toe shift. And how could the engineers not include a hill-holder function with the manual? The hooded cove above the gauge cluster looks cool, but it is too tall and will hinder sightlines for some. Big and potent speakers in the doors take up just about all useful storage potential. And at $48K, there were neither heated nor cooled front seats nor adjustable lumbar support, though I didn't need it when I often do in test cars.
Take care to adjust the rearview and side mirrors for a panoramic view out the back and sides. But the large rearview camera screen is an equalizer to the tight rear views. Those in back — with a butt down, knees up position — have little to no view out the tall and small side glass.
Must have SS options include the Magnetic Ride Control suspension ($1,695) and dual-mode performance exhaust ($695). The lovely, growly exhaust sound around town settles down at speed with no annoying drone. And the magnetic ride is magic in the SS. It sniffs at the road surface and adjusts from comfy to sport-tuned in milliseconds. It never beats up occupants and tracks flat like a racecar, which inspires confidence for control. The electric steering has a firm weight, but is appreciated at high speeds.
If you've always liked the styling of the reborn Camaro, the 2016 is the one to get. But if you got a deal on a 2015, just wait — there will be more and better Camaro news to come.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS
—Body style: 4-seat, RWD performance coupe
—Engine: 445-horsepower, 6.2-liter, direct-injection V-8 with cylinder deactivation; 455 pound. -featuring torque at 4,400 revolutions per minute
—Transmission: 6-speed manual
—0-60 miles per hour: 4.3 second
—Fuel economy: 16/25 miles per gallon city/highway; premium
—Fuel tank: 19 gallons
—Base price: $37,395, including $995 freight charge; price as tested $48,395
—Where assembled: Lansing Grand River, Michigan
SPECS
—Trunk space: 9 cubic feet
—Front head/leg/shoulder room: 38.5/44.3/55 inches
—Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 35/29.9/50.4 inches
—Length/wheelbase: 188.3/110.7 inches
—Curb weight: 3,685 pounds
—Turning circle: 38.4 feet
FEATURES
—Standard equipment includes: Active rev-matching manual transmission, limited-slip differential, Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric 3-season run-flat tires and 20 inch wheels, HID headlights and taillights, LED running lights, Brembo 4-piston, four-wheel disc brakes (13.6-inch rotors front, 13.3-inch rear),
—Safety features include: 8 air bags, stability and traction controls
HARDWARE
—Brakes: Brembo 4-wheel discs with 13.6-inch front and 13.3-inch rear Duralife rotors; 4-piston calipers front and rear
—Steering: rack-mounted electric, power-assisted with variable assist
—Suspension: 4-wheel independent; front MacPherson struts with twin-tube shock absorbers; rear 5-link with twin-tube shocks
—Tires and wheels: 20-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 3 run-flat tires
Mark Maynard is online at [email protected]. Find photo galleries and more news at Facebook.com/MaynardsGarage. To find out more about Mark Maynard and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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