We’re quickly approaching the launch of the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevy is beginning to become generous with the details it’s sharing about the latest pony car. Hot Rod was invited to drive the 2016 Camaro outside of Detroit and, in the process, learned some obscure engineering details about the car.
Foremost, there’s parts sharing occurring underneath the fancy-new sheetmetal. Much of the floor stampings are nearly identical to the Cadillac ATS coupe, as both are Alpha-platform mates. But, as Chevrolet has detailed before, the Camaro is unique in its Alpha application, with custom engineering to accommodate the proportions of a proper muscle coupe.
As Hot Rod notes, the suspension cradles in the 2016 Camaro could be swapped into an ATS coupe with ease, but the suspension links are longer to help with the Camaro’s width.
There’s even a piece of 2016 Cadillac CT6 hiding underneath the car, as the the smaller of the two new differentials, used for turbo-four and automatic-equipped V6 models, is shared directly, using a 200 millimeter ring gear. V8 and manual-gearbox V6 Camaros receive larger half-shafts and a 225 millimeter ring gear.
Other fast facts on the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro include:
- Manual-equipped Camaros still use automatic transmission fluid.
- All manual-equipped Camaros receive a clutch-style LSD. Automatic Camaros use an open differential.
- A “kazoo” pipes in extra engine noise to the towards the cockpit with the LT1 6.2-liter V8 and LGX 3.6-liter V6. Turbo-four Camaros feature sound enhancement through the stereo speakers, which can be disabled.
- The roof of the Camaro has been nicknamed the “reverse mohawk.”
- The LGX 3.6-liter V6 features Active Fuel Management, and will run as a V4.
- The lip on the transmission cooler opening creates a low-pressure area to force air in.
- Engine cooling is shared between three radiators.
If we had to toss in our two cents, the days of ho-hum engineering seem to be long gone for the Camaro.
Comments
If so much of the body is shared with ATS, why not offer a limited-edition ATS with an LT1? I’m sure they could sell enough to cover EPA and validation costs – even if just as a 49-state vehicle.
Cadillac is at the ready to say it wouldn’t make sense – too close to the TTV6, too heavy, yadda, yadda. If that’s such the case, then why is the Camaro SS, and in turn, the Chevy SS not going with a twin-turbo V6 instead?
It would cost very little to offer the LT1 on the ATS, and the TTV6 on the Camaro. EPA certs, and validation… most of which has been drop-in porting from the work on one-another.
GM might be surprised at how much uptake there is… on both ends. Lots of ATS owners that want to see 200,000 miles would jump at the opportunity, and it would let the Camaro team test the waters with a V6 SS.
This makes sense Christopher, but ultimately I think the answer is about positioning vehicles where GM wants them. I recently read an article on the upcoming VF Commodore Series II prior to the reveal and in it they said the VF based HSV GTS almost didn’t happen because of working out fitting the LSA under the hood. My immediate thought was that this couldn’t be accurate because it fit just fine in the previous gen CTS-V and in the Gen 5 ZL1. We know the platform, Zeta and Sigma (which was based on Zeta), handled the LSA just fine, so what was the real issue?
I’ve never heard a credible source say that VF HSV GTS “almost didn’t happen” due to LSA blower placement. Sorry, makes no sense. I’ll eat my own words if HSV stands by it, but I’d want to hear it from them – and with a darn good reason attached.
Demand? Cost? HSV slipping over to Dodge? I could buy all those reasons. But not engine bay space.
This is where I found the article (it’s under the 5 most important Commodores of all time):
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/last-holden-commodore-unveiled-today-35747#.VfcO5UbtpmM
I’ve skimmed several articles which only discuss the 5 most important and they all omit the parts about it almost not happening. Author may have put that in there for effect or may have some inside information.
The reason why they will not to an LT1 is because they have to build up the smaller engine cars for the future retulations. A V8 would be a short term fix at best.
Second Cadillac is trying to get away from putting Chevy engines in every thing. They will have their own power plants coming and they will use them in future models.
Keep in mind the ATS and CTS we have today will not be around near as long as past models as they will see major changes when they become the CT4-5.
It is the many things you don’t know or don’t consider that the insiders at GM have to consider that make things like this happen. They have a lot more to contend with than you or I know.
Yes it would be a cool thing but this is not a hot rod shop where you are dealing with one or two cars.
No more ho-hum engineering indeed! Now for that ho-hum styling.
What would be nice was if Chevy borrow a page from the old Knight Rider series where with a press of a button would afford the Camaro’s 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo engine get 10 seconds of over-boost where horsepower jumps to 300-320hp as this can be done off the line to increase acceleration or whenever the driver wants it with the best part being that this shouldn’t effect mileage.