2016 Chevrolet Camaro: lighter, faster and making its European debut at FoS

One of several world, European and UK debuts at the this year’s Festival of Speed was the new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro – making its first appearance on this side of the Atlantic. It’s being shown ahead of going on sale in the spring/summer of next year, giving FoS-goers a first look at the revised styling of this sixth-generation model. It promises to be faster and leaner than the model it replaces.

Slightly smaller in its overall dimensions, the new Camaro is lighter (by at least 90kg, depending on the model) and more powerful than the model it replaces. Engine options for Europe will be a 275hp 2.0-litre turbo or a 6.2-litre V8. With 455hp, the latter will be the most powerful Camaro officially sold in Europe. Both models have an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, while the V8 will have the option of a six-speed manual.

‘Redesigning the Camaro is thrilling and challenging all at once, but the secret is to offer something more,’ said Alan Batey, Global Chevrolet Brand Chief. ‘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.’

As well as being lighter, the new Camaro is stiffer by 28 per cent. Continuing the number-fest, 70 per cent of its ‘architectural components’ are unique to the Camaro. The increased use of aluminium were the main weight savings – the front suspension links are aluminium, while the steel items at the rear have holes in them to save weight. Improvements in the car’s handling are promised by the multi-link MacPherson strut front suspension and new five-link suspension at the back.

But driving impressions are for the future; for now, we’ll just take in the more sculpted form of the 2016 Camaro.