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Latest Spy Shots Confirm 2019 Camaro Will Stick With 6-Speed Manual

The Chevrolet Camaro is due for a midcycle refresh for the 2019 model year that consists of a restructuring in trim levels, revised front and rear ends, as well as potential changes to the interior as well as the powertrain. One of the potential powertrain changes was believed to be the introduction of a 7-speed manual transmission, but new 2019 Camaro spy shots confirm that the sports car will stick with the 6-speed unit.

2019 Chevrolet Camaro Spy Shots - interior - March 2019 001

Our spy shooter managed to capture the interior of the 2019 Camaro refresh as it was undergoing testing, and the photos clearly show that the tester was equipped with a six-speed manual unit, rather that a 7-speed.

Rumors of the 2019 Camaro gaining a 7-speed transmission were started in January, when documents from the California Air Resource Board (CARB) listed the car with a 7-speed manual transmission. A month later, those documents were revised, and any references to the 7-speed were removed and replaced with a 6-speed.

2019 Chevrolet Camaro Spy Shots - interior - March 2019 003

What took place in relation to the 7-speed gearbox remains a mystery, but here are the three most likely scenarios:

  1. Chevrolet had plans to introduce a 7-speed manual in the 2019 Camaro, likely the same unit as in the Corvette C7, but something prevented it from doing so.
  2. Those responsible for putting together the CARB documents made a typographical error by using the number “7” instead of “6”.
  3. The 7-speed will still show up in the gen six Camaro, but in a different model/powertrain configuration, one that we haven’t yet seen in person

About 2019 Camaro

2019 Chevrolet Camaro Spy Shots - exterior - March 2019 002

The 2019 Camaro will represent the fourth model year of the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Outside of re-arranged trim levels, equipment, features and associated pricing structures, the sports car will feature new front and rear facias – as shown by the camouflage on the front and rear ends of prototype models. 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

  1. Coming from a 5th Gen owner, this refresh better be something of substance in order to hold over the GM faithful until the 7th Gen makes its appearance. So far, the 6th Gen has been underwhelming to say the least. The lagging sales speak volumes. Instead of a completely new model, GM execs decided to go with an evolution of the 5th Gen since it sold so well. The public has largely rejected the vehicle. From the subtle aesthetic changes to the over-inflated prices, the Camaro needs a boost.

    Reply
    1. Underwhelming! Have you seen the speed sheets on this camaro? While you are paying attention to the interior, backseat, trunk I focus on the driving dynamics which are top notch! It handles better, brakes better, and drives circles around the competition!

      But it’s a failure because!!!!!!!

      Reply
      1. You know, because prior F-body cars have a long standing history of huge backseats and vast trunks…….

        Reply
      2. GM simply upgraded the 5th Gen and called it the “All-New” 6th Gen. Again, it is simply an evolution of the 5th Gen Camaro. Every successive generation of the Camaro has been a complete departure from the prior generation…EXCEPT the 6th Gen. Is the 6th Gen a failure in the performance department? Heck no. However, car manufacturers look at sales. This is where the 6th Gen lacks.

        Reply
        1. The 4 gen was pretty much a pointier 3rd gen with more power………and none have ever been a “complete departure”, its not like the Camaro started off as a rear engined cargo van and turned into a ponycar. They’ve all pretty much stuck with RWD and small interior and trunk for the last 51 years…….

          Reply
          1. Place every generation of Camaro side by side by side…

            Every one has been a complete AESTHETIC departure from the prior gen. No two have looked alike until the 5th and 6th. Again, the 6th Gen is merely an evolution of the 5th and the lack of sales prove that the people aren’t having it. An “All-New” vehicle should be…just that. The GM execs saw how the 5th Gen slaughtered the competition in sales and figured they’d improve upon that car. Did they? Certainly, but it still resembles the 5th Gen so closely that people figured they’d wait for a 7th Gen.

            The cars look eerily similar. Period.

            Reply
            1. Going to have to disagree, the 3rd gen to 4th gen is not a COMPLETE aesthetic departure, in the least bit, its the same car, same layout down to the hatch and the recessed headlights on the Camaro and the pop ups on the Firebird.

              Reply
              1. Appearance is subjective.

                To each their own.

                If you believe the 3rd Gen resembles the 4th Gen as much as the 5th does the 6th, pass that bong please.

                Reply
                1. Nah, yeah, they’re totally different pointy, low sung, hatch backed coupes with long hoods…..do you prefer Golden Retrievers or Labs as seeing eye dogs?

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                2. Also you seem to be conveniently ignoring that the Mustang has been playing the “1968 Bullitt Fastback” styling theme for more than a decade…….

                  Reply
  2. The truth is the future of the Camaro will only get more difficult as we go. One it is not going to get cheaper. Two Coupes are a hard sell no matter the brand. Much of the rejection is the same as we are seeing with most other coupes.

    A good real performance CUV could really kill the Camaro sales with how the market is now.

    If GM could give a FNX R styled model the performance of a SS Camaro it would sell two to one over the Camaro. I do not expect it to happen any time soon but at some point it could.

    As for these photo’s I would put in a 8 speed and then put a six speed knob on for the spys. LOL!.

    Be ready but I suspect the C8 will lose the clutch pedal for paddles. Just about every Mid Engine car has lost the clutch pedal. But there will be some real surprised to go with it that you will love if it works out.

    Reply
    1. Exactly, all these photos confirm is that this a 6 speed knob in this prototype car…….

      Reply
  3. While it’s hardly a surprise, Chevrolet is sticking with the poor ergonomics of its butt-ugly dashboard looking at these spy shots. Same cheap downward looking screen and forward view blocking Mickey Mouse ear instrument cluster. An epic fail, imho.

    Doubtful some minor sheet metal and plastic remolding of the front and the rear will spur a significant sales increase. Far too timid. That leaves stripping off features to create a budget version the only rabbit left in their hat.

    Again, I’m sorely disappointed but hardly surprised. ?

    Reply
  4. This gen is a failure in terms of design.
    McE must help a little. But the next generation must be smth special. I hope we will see a new design language.

    Reply
  5. Looks like GM won’t address the hard plastic upper dash again. What an embarrassment. I’m getting tired of Chevy vehicles having hard plastics on their upper dash so Buick and GMC can offer soft touch. It’s so ridiculous that GM is doing this in 2018. No other automaker utilizes hard upper dash plastics anymore. None

    Reply
    1. And no other automaker offers the power, handling and braking in a car! See I could care less if the dash is not on a luxury level you expect.

      Interior is the last thing I care about in a performance car

      Reply
      1. That’s good for you. Most buyers look st everything. There’s a reason why Audi is on fire. Best interiors in the business. Now as far as luxury level that you speak of, Chevy’s current upper dash material plastics aren’t even on par with let’s say a Honda Fit let alone a luxury vehicle. Challenger and Mustang both have much better upper dash material. Wonder if that is part of the reason for the lower sales.
        Nobody is asking for Audi level fit and finish here but some soft touch materials that is now the Industry norm.

        Reply
        1. Guess the last time I was in my Camaro and thinking about the dash board materials. Oh that’s right, never. Name one Audi that is as fun to drive as a Camaro–oh that’s right, there isn’t one.

          Reply
        2. Remember when your parents told you to get your priorities in line, well here’s a good example. If you are focusing on the interior of a camaro or a corvette then you are looking at the wrong car!

          Don’t believe me go ask Jay Leno! You may not respect my opinion but most people do respect his. He believes a sports car should be just that! Not soft touch materials, massive leg room, huge trunk!

          Stop, go, and handle!

          Reply
          1. Corvette has nice upper dash materiel. Yeah you made a point. Just b/c you personally don’t care about interiors doesn’t justify that the whole buying public doesn’t as well. Read some reviews of Chevy cars. That is the one main gripe everyone has about their cars. Not their engines, transmissions, power, looks, braking. So just fix it and stop being cheap Chevy.

            Reply
          2. I was looking at a 2SS convertible. One problem is since the entire product line is defined by the cheapest models the interior is an embarrassment for a car stickering over $50,000.

            I get there are people who only care about performance. That’s why some cars go as far as to delete heaters to save a little weight. However, when we watch Camaro sales figures generally disappoint you can’t argue it’s an opinion shared by many buyers.

            Forgetting the cheapness and, imho, poor aesthetics of the Camaro’s current dash, it also suffers from poor ergonomics.

            GM in some products has no problem upgrading dashes on some models as you move up the ladder of trim lines. If GM stubbornly won’t upgrade the interiors of budget Camaros (though I’m not convinced this is hard to fix cheaply) then upgrade higher Camaro trim lines.

            Reply
            1. You beat the drum so I will also! It’s a performance car not a luxury car!

              The price of the car has zero to do with how nice the interior is!

              The gen 5 z28 cost 75k and didn’t have a luxury interior for one reason. Because ITS A PERFORMANCE CAR!

              Why can’t you people get this threw your head?

              50k buys you the best performance car you can buy in its segment! Not a soft dash!

              Reply
  6. So you think legendary car guy Jay Leno doesn’t know what he’s talking about when it comes to performance cars?

    Because he doesn’t care about interiors on a performance car either!

    Reply
  7. It better have the 10 speed automatic transmission!

    Reply

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