Sixth generation Camaro makes online debut

The pony car wars is upon us again.

Over the weekend Chevrolet has released the first official images of the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro; the sixth generation of the nameplate, one that traces its history back to the pony car wars of the late 1960's.

“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, in a press release. “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.”

The 2016 Camaro is an all new generation as Chevrolet says that the only things carried over from the previous model was the rear bowtie emblem and the SS badge. Chevrolet says they incorporated a more athletic and sleeker design for the new gen Camaro, utilizing a more sculpted exterior with “tighter, leaner architecture”. Chevrolet also used a LED and other lighting accents on the Camaro.

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The coupe's interior has likewise been significantly updated to Chevrolet's latest design standards. Being a driver-centric car, the dashboard and controls are oriented towards the driver “shifter-focused center console, intuitive controls, flat-bottom steering wheel, and higher quality materials throughout”.

Powering the new generation Camaro are a trio of new engine choices: a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo with 279 PS and 400 Nm, a 3.5L direct injection V6 with modular displacement (cylinder deactivation) that makes 340 PS and 385 Nm, and lastly a 6.2L V8 that makes 461 PS and 617 Nm. 2.0L turbo and V6 versions are offered with either a 6-speed manual or a new 8-speed automatic. The SS can come with either 6-speed manual with automatic rev-matching or an 8-speed auto with paddle shifters.

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To further improve the drive, the 2016 Camaro gets MacPhersons up front and an independent multi-link system in the back. The Camaro SS variant gets a Magnetic Ride Control suspension that automatically adjusts itself depending on the road condition. Brembo brakes are offered as an option, though Chevrolet made it standard on the top-spec SS.

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro was revealed at a time when Ford was bringing the new generation Mustang to the market. If Dodge brings out a new Challenger, enthusiasts could be seeing a new 21st century revival of the pony car wars.