Review: A short but sweet ride in a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro

One lap. Just one lap at speed with the latest Chevrolet Camaro. On the Belle Isle Grand Prix track in Detroit with no run-off to speak of, just hard, cement walls. And in a camouflaged, pre-production mule, no less.

Just over a minute's worth of fast driving is all journalists had in the new sixth-generation muscle car at its unveiling last weekend. What can be said from that one turn is that this new Camaro is faster and more nimble than the last, with more road sensations through the steering.

It feels lighter tossing around, weighing at least 90 kilograms less than its predecessor, according to Chevy. Both the McPherson front and independent rear suspensions are 21 per cent lighter for less unsprung weight and faster suspension reaction.

Despite a familiar-looking skin, this Camaro is all-new, riding on the same chassis as the Cadillac ATS, 20 per cent more rigid than the last Camaro and more than 50 milimetres shorter. The only parts shared with the last car are the emblems.

There are three engines on the order sheet. For this Detroit event, only the all-new 3.6-litre V-6 was available. With 335 horsepower, this mid-range engine (slotting above the 2.0-litre and below the big V-8) spins up to its red line faster than you can say "paddle shift." The new driver mode feature enhances the accelerator response for a more explosive ride, and turns the exhaust note into a fierce, raspy staccato that will raise the hair on your arms.

In each of the five years since Chevrolet brought back the Camaro, it’s outsold its live-long rival, the Ford Mustang. There’s no indication that anything’s going to change. The Chevrolet Camaro will begin hitting showrooms later this year.

You’ll like this car if ... You want European handling with Detroit muscle and style.

TECH SPECS

• Base price: Not yet revealed
• Engines: 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder, 3.6-litre V-6, 6.2-litre V-8
• Transmissions: Eight-speed automatic, six-speed manual
• Fuel economy: NA.
• Alternatives: Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenge

RATINGS

• Looks: Visually similar to the last version, only a more sculpted shape with sharper lines. It’s less retro and more reminiscent; an old-school muscle car with nods to its illustrious past but in a modern, aggressive style.
• Interior: Inside is a world ahead of the last car; beautifully done with varying materials and colours and clever touches. A backup camera is standard, while chrome bezels surrounding the large centre air vents control the temperature, saving real estate on the centre cluster. A new interior light system allows for customizing its accent colour.
• Performance: The first turbocharged engine in a Camaro, the base 2.0-litre shared with the ATS has 275 horsepower. The top 6.2-litre LT1 V-8 is shared with the Corvette stomps out 445 horsepower for the most powerful SS model ever. The SS will also have GM’s magnificent Magnetic Ride Control suspension available. The six-speed manual gearbox now has Active Rev Matching, blipping the throttle for smooth downshifts.
• Technology: That driver mode selection offers Snow/Ice, Tour and Sport modes, with the SS having an available Track mode, all changing engine and transmission mapping, electric steering calibration, exhaust note and other attributes. Between the analog gauges, an available eight-inch screen can be customized for information on navigation, engine and other systems.
• Cargo: It still has that comically tiny trunk opening and a cargo area on the smaller side; it would be difficult getting a set of golf clubs down there.

The Verdict

9.0 (out of 10)