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2019 Camaro SS And Its Three Unique Aerodynamic Features

Besides a fairly major, love-it-or-hate-it revision to the front end, the 2019 Camaro SS also delivers a healthy amount of new features and updates. Putting the divisive redesign of the front fascia aside for the moment, let’s take a quick dive into the facelifted model’s aerodynamic properties.

Some Context

The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro had undergone 350 hours of wind tunnel testing, during which time engineers meticulously tailored the exterior to reduce aerodynamic lift and drag, resulting in more stable handling at moderate to high speeds, along with enhanced efficiency, and improved cooling of powertrain and chassis components.

The 2019 Camaro refresh takes that one step further.

The Refresh

Like the pre-facelift design, the updated fascia of the 2019 Camaro SS utilizes “air curtains” that seem to guide air around the wheels rather than into the wheelhouses. Meanwhile, integrated cooling ducts reduce the temperature of the brakes. All that we’ve already seen on the 2016-2018 Camaro.

Where things get different for the 2019 model is in the new extractor-style hood that likely improves engine cooling and reduces front end lift, along with a new “flowtie” (open bowtie) grille emblem that strategically lets air to pass through.

2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS exterior in Red Hot G7C - July 2018 - zoom 003 - Aerodynamic Focus

In other words, the new fascia on the 2019 Camaro SS is far from just a new face. It’s a functional face, as well.

Other New 2019 Camaro Features

Here’s a complete list of what’s new for the 2019 Camaro SS:

  • Revised front-end styling consisting of:
    • New fascia
    • New grille
    • New SS-specific dual-element headlamps
    • LED signature lighting
    • New extractor-style hood
    • “Flowtie” open bowtie grille emblem
    • Polished black grille finish
    • Aero-enhancing air curtains
  • Revised rear fascia
  • New sculpted LED taillamps with dark-tinted neutral-density (clear) lenses
  • New 20-inch wheel design
  • Rear Camera Mirror with improved high-definition viewing quality (2SS only)
  • Revised ambient lighting with new blended color choices
  • Forward Collision Alert technology (2SS Couple only)
  • Addition of GM 10-speed automatic transmission as an option on SS models; includes lift-foot gear hold, Tour, Sport and Track modes, custom launch control and line lock
  • Chevrolet Infotainment system 3 with 8-inch color touchscreen and available navigation
    • System offers greater personalization and more intuitive user interface
    • Leverages Cloud connectivity to enhance personalization, navigation, voice recognition, apps and more

Pricing

Some 2019 Camaro will cost less than their 2018 counterparts. In fact, the base Camaro will cost $905 less when it goes on sale later this year. Unfortunately, V8-powered SS models will not become more affordable, as pricing will remain similar to that of the 2018 model.

2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS exterior in Red Hot G7C - July 2018 020

Assembly

The 2019 Camaro is assembled by GM USA at the GM Lansing Grand River factory in Michigan.

Availability

The 2019 Camaro SS follows the regular GM model year rollover sequence and launches in the third quarter of the 2018 calendar year.

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Comments

  1. More aero, but other outlets have reported all models except the ZL1 are less fuel efficient and there is no known change in EPA testing that could account for skewed results.
    SS lost 1mpg combined and V6 models lost 1mpg city

    Reply
    1. Well, it is the SS model that lose 1 MPG city (highway remains the same) have the 10AT.

      However, the 6MT SS and V6 cars lose 1 MPG highway (city remains the same) – vehicles where nothing should have changed. Clearly aero is likely the cause for this – meaning the 10AT *would* have been more efficient on the highway, but loses out due to poor aerodynamics. I would say that is confirmed by the fact that the ZL1 manual does not change (the I4 was probably just close enough to its previous figure to make up for the aero).

      So ugly and less efficient? Hope an emergency refresh is on its way for 2020, because this is…bad.

      Reply
  2. The front-end may be growing on me. I have to see an SS in person.

    Reply
  3. I didn’t think it was possible, but they found a way to make the Camaro even uglier.

    Reply
  4. The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro’s biggest aerodynamic issue is the ‘eye’ test as the Camaro just doesn’t look very aerodynamic and the very fact Chevrolet hasn’t listed the drag coefficient of the 2019 Camaro refresh compared with it’s predecessor sort of indicate that things like the air curtains and functional hood extractor are almost meaningless.

    Reply

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