Chevrolet Camaro Engine Detuned For This One Market
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Here’s something even the most knowledgeable Chevrolet Camaro fans might not know: Camaros that get exported to one particular market gets a detuned engine.
That market is Russia. There, the Chevrolet Camaro is offered exclusively with a single engine – the turbo-charged 2.0L I-4 LTG mated to the GM 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Typically, that engine and gearbox combination deliver 275 horsepower. But in Russia, that figure drops some 38 ponies to 237 horsepower, as a result of a detuning effort by GM specifically for that market.
Turbo 2.0 I-4 LTG; in this photo (pictured here in the Cadillac ATS Coupe, a platform mate to the Sixth-Generation Camaro)
The LTG in the Camaro is detuned in order to shoehorn the sports car into a lower tax bracket, since Russia taxes vehicles by output and associated emissions. Vehicles with over 250 horsepower get taxed at a higher rate, so GM lowered the horsepower output to maintain affordability, GM Authority confirmed with Camaro communications chief Kevin Kelly. Meanwhile, torque remains at the 295 pound-feet (400 Nm) peak originally made by the LTG.
That enables the Russian Camaro variant the ability to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds, which is 0.4 seconds slower than its North American counterpart.
2019 Chevrolet Camaro Black Edition for Russia
But even though the Chevrolet Camaro gets slightly less power in Russia, at least it gets some unique treatment. The most interesting development is that Chevy uses the facia of the Camaro SS in that market, despite the car being an LT-level model from a powertrain and features perspective. In other words, the Camaro SS’ naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 LT1 engine is not offered whatsoever.
2019 Chevrolet Camaro Shock Edition for Russia
The Russian-market Chevrolet Camaro also offers a few unique packages. Just last week, General Motors announced the Camaro Black Edition and Camaro Shock Edition as limited, special-edition models specifically for that market. Notably, the Camaro in Russia is not an affordable proposition: pricing starts at 2,990,000 rubles, which is equivalent to $46,853 USD, at current conversion rates.
The special editions are even more pricey: the Black Edition starts at 3,315,000 Rubles ($51,979 USD), while the Shock Edition starts at 3,415,000 Rubles ($53,524 USD). Those prices are despite the lack of a V8 and the detuned engine.
2019 Chevrolet Camaro Black Edition for Russia
Even so, GM sells every Camaro it ships to Russia. Interest in the car is off the charts, and the only limiting factor are the supply, along with the relatively high price tag. According to sales data exclusively obtained by GM Authority, Chevrolet Camaro sales jumped 35 percent in Russia to 70 units during the first five months of 2019, compared to 52 units sold during the same timeframe in 2018.
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Must be a good reason, they can’t handle there vodka ? Not to judge however 4 banger turbo , sounds like dodge turbos of the 80’s ? Spend how much for ?
Almost all the videos on bad driving are done in russia. They’re lousy drivers. 54k for a 237 hp camaro is highway robbery. Why not ship 200 of the 6.2l for the people that insurance isn’t an issue. I paid 80g for a Stingray z51 and insurance was the last thing I cared about.
It also probably has something to do with the fuel quality available over there.
Lots of cars there. No problem. Watch driving videos from Russia. Rot gut vodka flexfuel what a concept problem solved your welcome…
Will GM offer a post sale performance package like Harley Davidson used to do till they got caught.
I’m trying not to ROFLMAO, seriously. You mean to tell me the absurd price of $52K USD for a “black edition” is for a detuned t 4 banger of only 237hp?? O $hit! And I thought the original black edition story was absurd for $52K. It just got…I got nothing except super absurd. Can we say oligarch’s kids? This is almost more comical than watching them drive on YouTube! And I thought we had it bad here, still….ROFLMAO!! This HAS to be a feel good propaganda piece, right Alex???? Still ROFLMAO…..this HAS to be the worst sanction, EVER!! Bwaaahhhhhhahahaha……..sorry, can’t help myself, must find some Stolichnaya somewhere…..THEY screwed up our elections?!?! Oh we are Sooooo F’d…..
Why the click bait title? You could have just said, 4-Cylinder Camaro detuned for Russian Market