Earlier in January, we shared our expectations for the upcoming 2019 Camaro refresh, and today we have some pretty solid evidence to support our beliefs. Specifically, it seems that the 2019 Camaro will introduce a new trim level called 3LT.
That much is according to GM’s official VIN decoding document for 2019 model year vehicles filed with NHTSA on December 14th, 2017, which shows a new 3LT model with either a manual or automatic transmission joining previously-existing trim levels for the gen six Camaro. By comparison, GM’s 2018 model year VIN decoder doc made no reference to a Camaro 3LT – making the trim level new for the 2019 model year.
For the sake of comparison, the 2018 model year Camaro was offered in 1LS, 1LT, 2LT 1SS, 2SS and ZL1 trim levels. The LS and LT trims come standard with the turbocharged 2.0L I-4 LTG engine, with the atmospheric 3.6L V-6 LGX engine being optional. Meanwhile, SS models come exclusively with the atmospheric 6.2L V-8 LT1 engine, and the ZL1 is equipped with the supercharged 6.2L V-8 LT4.
Outside of adding the 3LT trim, the rest of the 2019 VIN decoder document lists the same engines as the one for the 2018 model year… which might change in the near future (read on below)
As of January 2018, GM’s official VIN decoder for the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro shows new 2LT/3LT trim level structures
The GM Authority Take
Despite delivering notable product-level improvements, the sixth-generation Camaro – which was first introduced for the 2016 model year – has seen lackluster sales. Meanwhile, its direct competitors – the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger – have seen significantly greater sales volume success with their sports cars. Arguably the biggest reason for the turn of events is that the gen six Camaro is notably more expensive than the fifth-gen model in replaces. As such, Chevrolet is rumored to be working on rearranging the trim levels structure for the 2019 Camaro refresh in order to become more competitive, most likely by hitting a lower price point.
Though we have no confirmation of the following, we would expect that the addition of a 3LT trim level will result in the repositioning of the 1LS, 1LT and 2LT models on the 2019 Camaro that will see these models remove content and get a lower starting price.
It’s worth noting that the VIN decoder doesn’t show any changes to the trim level structure of the V8-powered Camaro SS. The move is peculiar, given that some believe that the lack of a more affordable SS model is holding back sales of the sixth-gen Camaro. However, it could be possible that the assumption is false, and that Chevrolet believes that it can drum up sales by improving the Camaro’s value on the lower end of the spectrum.
In fact, Todd Christensen of Chevy Performance Marketing may have alluded to doing just that when he told us that Chevy still needs “to put attention on the 2.0L”. “Not that we ever abandoned it, but I think there are some things we can do to improve that a little bit,” he said.
Before we let you go, here are some words of warning: Chevrolet has yet to officially announce anything related to the 2019 Camaro refresh. As such, the information could be incorrect. In fact, GM can submit data to the NHTSA 60 days prior to commencing production of 2019 model year vehicles. And, given that production of 2019 model year GM models is still months away, the automaker has plenty of time to file changes, so we could see many more changes to the 2019 Camaro in terms of the trim level structure and even powertrain (such as the addition of a new 7-speed manual transmission). Even so, we have reason to believe that the introduction of the 3LT trim will happen.
About 2019 Camaro Refresh
2019 Chevrolet Camaro prototype undergoing testing in Colorado
The 2019 Camaro will represent the fourth model year of the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Outside of the aforementioned re-arrangement of trim levels, equipment, features and the pricing structure, the sports car will feature new front and rear facias – as shown by the camouflage on the front and rear ends of prototype models captured by our spy shooters. Other updates are also possible, including changes to the interior and powertrain (in the form of new engines and transmissions), along with the introduction of a Z/28 model.
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Comments
Hopeful Chevy will start offering soft touch materials on their instrument panels throughout their lineups. Camaro desperately needs waaaaaaay better interior materials. Design wise it is nice.
I’d like to see the Micky Mouse ears (over the gauge cluster) reduced in size, lumbar seat support added optionally, 10 speed auto for sure and as you pointed out – overall interior quality improved. And GM needs to ensure some markets (Cayman Islands for one) aren’t made to receive an SS only one way – that being fully loaded! I really didn’t want the automatic or sunroof, but dealer could only ordered full loaded! I bought a Mustang GT premium w/ lumbar seat support, 6 speed manual and no sunroof like I wanted!
If the CARB report is to be believed, 8 speed auto, 6 & 7 speed manuals…
I actually think 8 speed is sufficient – GM just needs to improve the 8 speed then.
I’d really like the other features…oh, and if at all possible a DOHC 5 – 5.5L V8 please! I might well go back to Camaro then as I’m not fully on board with the new Mustang GT front end. Though Roush has some improvements for it. Still…Camaro was my first car and I still like them a lot! But though I like DOHC that’s not a deal breaker and I will surely check out the new Camaro when it’s released
MY17 Mustang was less quick than the MY17 Camaro, but now the MY18 Mustang w/10 auto is quicker the than the MY16-MY18 Camaro w/8 speed auto…MY19 Camaro will surely add some additional power and now will offer what appears to be the Vette’s 7 speed manual…We don’t know how much power the Camaro will add, while its likely the MY19 won’t get a huge power bump, it wouldn’t be out of the question to gain 10hp…
Certainly sounds more like its an uptrim level (bolt’s 10.2″ screen? ACC?) vs a lower priced/featured V8…All they need to do is get the costs down on the SS1, many would happily give up the RS package to get the costs down…
The bunker like interior, poor side and rear visibility, zero back legroom and tiny trunk opening are sadly going to remain but there certainly are other things they can improve with the pricing structure and interior quality and ambience for starters. A switch to the 10 speed automatic will also help mileage a little along with maybe better 0-60 times across the board and better customer feedback with better shift quality. The 2.0T needs to go to refinement school and a lower priced V8 SS model would help sales.
When comparing base models the Camaro is within sites of the revamped Mustang. Camaro LS stick starts at $26900 and with 8 speed auto starts at 27695.
In comparison a base Ecoboost Mustang with stick starts at $26485 and 28080 with 10 speed auto.
Interior, NO arm rest for passenger, tiny center console, truck like heat vents, NO trunk, v4 for price if old v6 bull…. all I can say is bring back the 2010 camaro. I pass on new camaro I owed 3. 78, 81, 2010
So your ok with the fact there is no arm rest for the passenger? your ok with the tiny trunk? your ok with the cup size air vents on dash? have you driven a 2010 Camaro and compared it with the new one? my 2010 Camaro LS V6 was $24,000 the 2018 V4 turbo was $25,000.less power, V6 $30,000 The 2010 Camaro’s trunk was larger then now. blind spots were less.
I was going to buy the new one until I drove it and really looked it over. $30,000 now was way too much. I can see why sales are slowing. Reminds me of the Pontiac Fiero, started at $7,600 but when it went out of production cost as much as the firebird. Gm just wants to out do the Mustang in power they lose in customer base on cost.
Yep!
I have driven both the gen 5 and gen 6 camaro and the gen 6 is faster, handles better, brakes better, sounds better, all of the things people should be paying attention to when looking at a muscle car! Not cup holders, vents, center console, back seat, trunk, crap like that!
Why can’t you people get it threw your thick heads that a camaro is not a family car! It’s a performance car! And that’s how we should judge it!
I rented a 2018 Camaro RS 3.6 with Auto for a week. It is an amazing car from the driver’s seat in every way. I still think about it.
But, I won’t be buying one, just because of the rear seat. With my old GTO, I could take the family somewhere in a pinch. On a nice summer evening, I could drive the family in style to the local ice cream stand, or the park for a picnic. At least short trips were reasonable.
This Camaro is purely a 2 seater, the rear shelf with cushions not withstanding. I’m just 6’1″ and my kids are 8 and 10 and I’d be in terrible discomfort if I moved the seat forward enough to accommodate their kid sized legs/knees. Does Chevy really need to have 2 x sports cars that are suitable only for 2 people? (Rhetorical question of course, both Corvette and Camaro have heritage that substantiates their existence.)
Hopefully Gen 7 has a slightly bigger cabin, even if it costs them a few seconds at Nurburgring. Otherwise, bring back the SS, but built on Alpha.
No stop trying to make the camaro bigger! If you wont be comfortable with your kids in the back then to bad. It’s not supposed to be a family car! Why can’t you people get it threw your heads?
Would you please answer this?
It’s a performance car!
I hope GM finds a way to shave more weight off the car to make it faster! Because that’s what it’s built for!
Why can’t you get through your head, there is a back seat, and it should have at least some functionality for children. The back seat just needs to be a little bigger, not luxury accommodating , that’s all.
I have a bmw 1 series, a small coupe which accommodates my two young kids just fine, for short trips. The camaro back seat is definitely smaller, making it a harder case to replace my 1 series. BTW my 128i weighs 3200lbs.
If you have a family then why are you even looking at a camaro to be a people mover?
I am glad GM has built the camaro for one purpose and that is to dominate the muscle car market both on the street and at the track.
The camaro sells are down because people are pinching pennies. If the camaro had the same or lower price of the other two cars then the camaro would be the leader in sales also.
Let me ask you do you think GM is making a huge profit off of the camaro? Because if the answer is yes then they have no business making it bigger and slower!
The way GM solves this problem is to build two muscle cars!
One for me who only cares about performance and has zero interest in what is going on in the back seat or the trunk. Called a Camaro
Two for people who have families that feel the need to buy a performance car. Called a Chevelle or Monte Carlo! Make it huge! So you can stop asking for the camaro to be changed!
It’s amazing that GM has finally build a camaro into a world class muscle car and now people want to change it. Just pathetic!
You assume so much which is wrong. Making slightly more functional backseat, is not a sacrifice in size/weight/performance, it’s about looks, as i pointed out earlier the 128i has notably more room in a 3200lb coupe, enough that it’s a big deal to put the kids in the back.
Now for why i’m considering the camaro? I’ve tracked my 128i 8 times in the last two years, and as i’ve gotten into the intermediate group, I need an oil cooler, brake duct cooling, and in general a cooling overhaul on an old car. Looking for a replacement, the camaro is simply the most capable track car i can find (in 1le trim) out of the box. And by capable, i don’t mean lap times, i mean: 1. GM will not void the warranty on a tracked 1le, or ss, 2.) track ready brakes with ducting to cool 3.) set of track tires from the factory (1le) 4.) extra transmission, oil, and differential cooling. 5.) camber adjustable front suspension (unlike bmw)
I’m sold on the camaro, it’s just harder sell with the wife, when the car your replacing has even less room in the back for the kids, and again, this is someone coming from a bmw 1 series!
There’s your problem. Your trying to convince your wife to buy a camaro. That’s a you problem not a me problem. I shouldn’t have to suffer because you can’t convince your wife to buy a camaro.
What really baffles me is why you give a dam how much room is in the back seat? Their kids they will get over it. Having one more inch of room in the back seat does not make it a better car.
Why don’t you buy a performance car that you use to track and a normal family car to haul the family around?
I know what a concept. The idea of people buying cars that truly fit their lifestyle instead of trying to shove a round hole in a square hole!
Why do people like you insist on forcing the camaro to be a family car?
Are you even reading my comments? Is a bmw 128i a family car to you? Have you even been to a track day? More than half the cars there have back seats, and most of those are bigger than the camaro’s. However, despite this, It’s not a deal breaker for me, just a little unfortunate…. i’ll repeat my take away from my the last comment:
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I’m sold on the camaro, it’s just harder sell with the wife, when the car your replacing has even less room in the back for the kids, and again, this is someone coming from a bmw 1 series!
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You have a smaller car that worked for your smaller kids and now you want a car that fits them so why are you looking at a camaro?
Why don’t you buy a camaro just to take to the track?
It’s funny you want me to read your comments but you have no interest in reading mine
Why don’t you buy a normal family car like everyone else? If size and space is so important to you!
See you complain about the camaro but you should be focusing on buying a different type of car. You have out grown the camaro.
Are you dead set in having a one size fits all performance car?
V4 no such thing.
Thank you! I’m glad I wasn’t the only one annoyed by this. LOL!
So GM’s response to the high Camaro pricepoints leading to significant declining sales is to offer an even more high content, pricier model? Allow me to digest that for a moment.
Obviously we don’t have all the information yet… but I believe that the introduction of the 3LT trim will result in the 1LS, 1LT and 2LT becoming less expensive as a result of removing some content from those trims.
Any idea what content may be lost? Only thing I could see that remotely makes sense is removing the powerseat, single exhaust and small whees/tires…Backup cameras are mandated so you need some sort of screen, it’s more expensive and more trouble than it’s worth to install a smaller screen…I believe the same goes for removing power windows/locks/mirrors and the removing the A/C…
I believe the SS1 will reduce in price and the LT3 will include premium features and all other are about the same…
Could be that the 2.0L will be on the 1LS and 1LT, while a new engine will be on 2LT and 3LT… prkdiction costs of the 2.0L LTG have come down significantly since its intro… think in that direction.
Well done, that makes the most sense…IMO they would have been better off, 2.0T in the LS1 and uptrim LS2, V6 in the LT1 and uptrim LT2 and V8 in the SS1 and uptrim SS2…
I personally think the decline in sales is the A8 transmission shutter and poor service (ignored) at dealers about the issue. Driving the car hard is fine, but try to run steady at the speed limit and the entire car shakes nonstop. Cruise control doesn’t help either. It’s just a poor experience for a new car that starts around 7,000 miles… Much like the Z06 and cooling issue, limp mode, GM has promised a lot and ignored all issues. Very poor support!
Maybe they’re going to try reviving the “Berlinetta.”
Let’s hope not.
Just keep increasing the power and lowering the 0 to 60 times and I’ll be happy.
Interior this, backseat that, trunk crap is just that crap!
If you care about those then your buying the wrong type of car!
How is it that the Camaro is not seeing the same success as the Challenger, when it continues to sell more total Camaro’s than FCA sells Challengers. The Camaro also has a higher ATP and higher retail sales.
So what part of the Challenger is seeing better sales success????
The mustang is debatable (Camaro is higher ATP’s and higher fleet sales) but It’s whooping the Challenger.
#1 Reason is they lease far better ask FCA leases them through their financial ARM which subsidizes it…Google the $599 hellcat lease, other Challenger versions for cheaper…As recent as this past summer GM’s financial ARM will not lease a Camaro or Vette, they rely on an independent third party, U.S. Bank…The best value Vette/Camaro lease is at 48 months, however you’re now out of the bumper to bumper so if the power windows stop working you’re on the hook (assuming a 36 month warranty)…
#2 Reason they’re two drastically different sized vehicles, more room in the Challenger…
#3 Reason so many powertrain choices…
You missed the point completely. The Camaro is outselling the Challenger. The Challenger is not seeing more sales success.
It’s a factually inaccurate statement that I keep reading in a lot of places. The sales numbers are out there, so I don’t get why the mistake/lie/misinformation keeps getting spread.
Jan sales aren’t out yet, I looked up Dec sales prior to posting…Challenger Dec sales are 4,508 and Camaro Dec sales are 3,802 so the Challenger did OUTSELL the Camaro for Dec…
On a separate note, add two more doors to the Challenger and you get a Charger, the Chargers sales blow both vehicles out of the water. Charger Dec sales 27,885…We could spin it that if the Charger didn’t exist, both Camaro and Challenger sales would be higher…
Here are the sales numbers for January:
Mustang 4732
Camaro 2867
Challenger 3405
ATP
Avg transaction price
Who leads that?
I am waiting!
Why no LS w/V8?
Rear view mirror streaming camera needs to be on every Camaro and Corvette. Eliminate this obstructive visibility albatross.
They should have used a bigger chassis, the CTS would have worked out better. The car is too small, it’s like a peanut muscle car. (And don’t try to back it up in a parking spot,you can’t see jack)
You can back up the camaro if you can drive! And part of being about to drive is knowing how to set up your cars mirrors so that there are no blind spots!
But instead of doing this people would just rather complain and ask for someone else to make changes instead of doing it on their own!
The camaro is the perfect size!
Making it faster is the goal!
The camaro is not supposed to be like a soft, smooth, comfy Cadillac!
yes you are right about the blind spots, they teach the wrong way to set mirrors Now the fact that you got a v6 for 24,000 in 2010 and now its 30,000 isn’t worth the price. Mustang beet the Camaro in sales and always will. GM will beet the Mustang in speed the Mustang will beet the Camaro….big deal!!! the cars most People don’t want to spend big bucks on a gas hog when prices of gas of $2.79 a gallon x18 gallons per tank is $50.22 a tank. that was a weeks worth of gas for me….$200.00 a month on gas??? yikes.
I loved my 2010 Camaro and when I was looking for a new car I started with the new Camaro….. own a 2010 and look at the 2017….. smaller trunk, no arm rest for passenger, mustang heat vents. I was looking forward to a new Camaro, but a $30,000. v6…..no way the will be so out priced again just like it was when the cancelled it the last time.
It is on the CTS Alpha.
That would increase cost and decrease performance…
GM has to add power to its 2.0 engine up to 300 hp.
Add the 3.6 LF4 with 464 hp to the SS but with more refinement compared to the ATS/V.
Add a new 4 cylinder Turbo, as GM still use the 2.5 and the 2.4 as aspirated engines, GM can add a turbo to those engines and have more than 350 hp 4 cylinders engines.
Add the new 3.0 DURAMAX engine AND why not the 6.6 DURAMAX and the Camaro will be the first diesel pony car with a big torque.
Add a hybrid propulsion to the Camaro to advance ford in doing so with the mustang.
“why not add” because it costs GM too much to offer engines with limited appeal…All engines will get more power, I believe the 2.0T will not exceed 295hp…
The more interesting question, who will hit 500hp on the base V8 first, the Camaro or the Mustang?
So now we have three LT trims so GM can mess around with the packages and probably make the 1LT and 2LT a little cheaper, and make the 3LT the fully optioned V6. Which is confusing to me, because I didn’t think there were that many people out there committed to a V6 but are not buying a camaro period because the 2LT was too expensive? Wouldn’t they have just bought the 1LT already?
On the corvette, the 3LT trim is a step up from the 2LT in luxury–napa leather, some custom color trim pieces inside, etc. So if Chevrolet is being consistent, the 3LT Camaro will follow suit and become the uber-luxury V6 model. So they must have determined that there is a market segment being lost there–I guess, the buyer who is cross-shopping european V6 sports coupes from the likes of BMW. What I don’t get is, how big a segment can that be? Enough to allow them to drop the price on the 1LT and 2LT and increase volume on those? That’s the only way I can put this together.
the real question is who will go out of production forever again first Camaro or mustang. Most likely Camaro for over priced, crappy interior, down sized everything but hey the price has doubled and it can now go 500 mph and sucks gas like an elephant on steroids..
Viability is poor and the interior looks cheap, that’s why I chose Mustang. Too bad because I had all GM muscle back when I was a young punk.
So you use to be a GM muscle supporter back in the day but the reason you want to the competition was because visablity and what the interior.
Those don’t sound like choices based on muscle!
If you are interested in a camaro and your major focal point is what the interior looks like then you should be in the market for a different type of car. Maybe a luxury car!
A performance car is suppose to be about performance not how well you fit into it!
Don’t believe me go ask Jay Leno!