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2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS First Test Review
Someone’s Listening
Christian SeabaughWriterJulia LaPalmePhotographerOct 16, 2015
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A couple months ago I was running a Cadillac ATS-V hard up through the canyons of Malibu, California, tailing a BMW M3 and a Mercedes-AMG C63 S as part of a comparison test. I was having a blast in the twin-turbo V-6 monster but couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing: a V-8. It’s safe to say that the team behind the sixth-gen 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS was a step ahead of me.
Based on the lightweight Alpha platform bones of the Cadillac ATS but with a 1.4-inch wheelbase stretch, the new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS features the one thing the ATS-V lacked. Replacing the LS3 V-8 from the previous-generation Camaro is a Chevy small-block V-8, the new Corvette Stingray’s LT1 6.2-liter V-8 making 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque—a 29-hp and 35-lb-ft bump from the outgoing Camaro’s LS3. In between that lovely V-8 and the rear wheels is a slick six-speed manual transmission; a fast-shifting eight-speed automatic is optional.
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2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS V 8 front three quarter
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With more horsepower and a curb weight down 214 pounds from the last Camaro SS we tested, the new 2016 Camaro SS put down some frighteningly quick numbers at the track. The acceleration run from 0 to 60 mph took just 4.0 seconds, and the quarter mile was through in 12.4 seconds at 114.6 mph. That’s not only faster than the last Camaro SS 1LE we tested, but it also hangs with the 505-hp, 7.0-liter V-8-powered Camaro Z/28. A 2015 Camaro SS 1LE needed 4.4 seconds to hit 60 mph and 12.9 seconds to complete the quarter mile at 110.5 mph; the big, bad Z/28 also did 0-60 in 4 seconds flat and finished the quarter a nose before the 2016 Camaro SS in 12.3 seconds at 116.1 mph. The new Camaro SS has brakes, too; the standard Brembo stoppers brought the Chevy to a standstill in 104 feet from 60 mph.
In addition to hanging with the previous-generation Camaro Z/28 in a straight line, the new Camaro SS can do a pretty good job keeping up through the corners. The 2016 Camaro SS rounded our figure eight in 24.1 seconds averaging 0.85 g, and the old Camaro Z/28 did it in 23.6 seconds at 0.89 g. Although the old race-ready Z/28 is certainly ahead of the new Camaro SS, don’t forget that this is just thebaseV-8-powered Camaro; even more powerful (and better handling) Camaros are most certainly on their way.
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Outside the confines of the test track, the new Chevy Camaro SS drives a lot like a lighter Cadillac ATS-V. The LT1 V-8 makes great power throughout its rev range and sounds wonderful doing so. Not to take anything away from the ATS-V’s 464-hp, twin-turbo V-6, but this is the engine the Cadillac ought to have. The powerband is so broad that you hardly need to shift the Camaro when running hard through the canyons, which is a shame because this six-speed manual is pretty fantastic. The gearbox is slick and precise with pedals perfectly placed for heel-toeing. Ride and handling are worlds better than the Camaro it replaces; steering is sharp, nicely weighted, and precise. And although prone to understeer at the limit, the Chevy is happy to hang the tail out with a dab of throttle. GM’s magnetic shocks are available on the Camaro SS, but our tester, a base Camaro 1SS, didn’t have the option. I can’t imagine needing it, as the stock steel springs helped keep the Camaro flat through corners and rode very well.
Although the new 2016 Camaro SS is worlds better than the version it replaced, one question remains: How does it stack up with the 2016 Ford Mustang GT, its archrival from Dearborn, Michigan? Stay tuned.
The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS: A New Benchmark in American Performance
The automotive landscape of 2016 sees the Chevrolet Camaro SS solidifying its legacy not just as a pony car, but as a world-class sports coupe. Moving beyond the shadows of its storied past, the sixth-generation Camaro SS arrives with a renewed focus on agility, power, and refinement, directly challenging the established order in the American performance segment.
A Foundation of Precision: The Alpha Platform Takes Center Stage
At the heart of this transformation lies General Motors’ celebrated Alpha architecture. Sharing its DNA with the acclaimed Cadillac ATS, the Camaro SS benefits from a rigid, lightweight skeleton that fundamentally alters its driving dynamics. This shift from the previous platform represents a quantum leap in chassis engineering. By slashing hundreds of pounds from the curb weight, Chevrolet has endowed the new Camaro SS with an athleticism that belies its muscle car roots.
The wheelbase has been judiciously stretched by 1.4 inches, creating a more planted and stable stance that enhances high-speed composure. This structural integrity is immediately apparent on the road, providing a level of driver confidence previously unseen in the Camaro lineage. The precision of the chassis allows for a more immediate and communicative connection between the driver, the car, and the road, setting a new benchmark for what American performance vehicles can achieve.
The Heart of the Beast: LT1 V8 Power Unleashed
While the chassis provides the foundation, the powertrain delivers the soul. The 2016 Camaro SS eschews forced induction in favor of a naturally aspirated masterpiece: the LT1 6.2-liter V8. Sourced from the Corvette Stingray, this engine represents the pinnacle of GM’s small-block V8 technology. It delivers a staggering 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over the outgoing model’s LS3 powerplant.
This isn’t merely a numbers game; the power delivery is intoxicating. The LT1 V8 generates a broad, accessible torque curve that builds relentlessly through the rev range. From low-rpm grunt to high-end exhilaration, the engine responds with an immediacy that makes every gear change an event. The soundtrack is pure American muscle—a deep, resonant bellow at idle that crescendos into a symphonic roar during spirited driving.
Drivetrain Excellence: Precision at Your Fingertips
Complementing the potent V8 is a choice of two exceptional transmissions. The standard six-speed manual gearbox is a masterclass in driver engagement. Its throws are short, precise, and satisfyingly mechanical, inviting the driver to fully engage with the car’s capabilities. The clutch pedal is perfectly weighted, and the rev-matching technology (when equipped) makes downshifts feel telepathic. For those who prefer the ease of automation, a lightning-fast eight-speed automatic is available, providing seamless gear changes that keep the engine in its optimal powerband.
The synergy between the LT1 engine and the manual transmission is particularly noteworthy. The broad torque band means that the driver can remain in a single gear for extended periods, enjoying the surge of power without the need for constant shifting. Yet, when the driver does choose to engage, the gearbox responds with precision and alacrity, making the most of the engine’s prodigious output.
Track-Ready Performance: Shattering Expectations
The true measure of the Camaro SS’s transformation is evident when the pavement turns into a racetrack. Equipped with Brembo brakes as standard, the SS stops with authority, hauling down from 60 mph in a mere 104 feet. This impressive braking performance is matched by its acceleration prowess. The 2016 Camaro SS rockets from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 4.0 seconds, with the quarter mile dispatched in 12.4 seconds at 114.6 mph.
These figures place the new Camaro SS squarely in the company of dedicated sports cars, let alone its traditional pony car rivals. It not only surpasses the previous generation’s performance but also competes head-to-head with track-focused variants. The chassis’s ability to manage the engine’s power is remarkable, putting the power down effectively and maintaining composure through the most demanding sections of the track.
Cornering Prowess: A New Level of Agility
The Camaro SS’s capabilities extend far beyond straight-line acceleration. On the figure-eight course, the car circles in 24.1 seconds, maintaining an average of 0.85 g. While slightly off the pace of the hardcore, track-prepped Z
