Now in its sixth model year, the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro remains a highly-attractive sports car. But since the introduction of the gen six model, the Camaro has gradually slipped in the sales ranks against its two primary competitors – the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, and that’s despite the 2019 model year refresh and the following refresh of a refresh for the 2020 MY. No matter, the Camaro is getting a few noteworthy changes and updates for the 2021 model year. So, here’s everything that’s new and different about Chevy’s 2021 Camaro.
Model Line
The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro does not see any changes to the model line, keeping with the trim level structure introduced for the 2019 model year.
| Coupe | 1LS | 1LT | 2LT | 3LT | LT1 | 1SS | 2SS | ZL1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convertible | - | 1LT | 2LT | 3LT | LT1 | 1SS | 2SS | ZL1 |
Mechanical
The 2021 Camaro continues with the same powertrain hierarchy as the 2019 and 2020 Camaro models, with four gasoline engines on offer.
2021 Chevrolet Camaro Powertrain Summary
| Brand | Model | Trim | Engine RPO Code | Displacement (L / ci) | Layout & Cylinders | Valvetrain | Aspiration | Compression Ratio | Bore & Stroke (in / mm) | Fuel | Fuel Delivery | Valve Lifters | Engine Block Material | Cylinder Head Material | Wheel Drive | Transmission | Axle (Final Drive Ratio) | Power (hp / kW @ RPM) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM) | Fuel Economy Automatic (City / Hwy) | Fuel Economy Manual (City / Hwy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Camaro | LS, LT | LTG | 2.0 / 122 | I-4 | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, CVVT | Turbocharged | 9.5:1 | 3.38 x 3.38 / 86 x 86 | Gasoline | SIDI (Spark Ignited Direct Injection) | Hydraulic roller finger follower | Cast aluminum 319T7 (lost foam cast aluminum) | Cast aluminum | RWD | 6-speed manual (MN6) or 8-speed auto (MX0) | 3.27 | 275 / 205 @ 5600 rpm | 295 / 398.3 @ 3000-4500 | 31 / 22 | 30 / 20 |
| Chevrolet | Camaro | LS, LT | LGX | 3.6 / 219 | V-6 | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, CVVT | Atmospheric | 11.5:1 | 3.74 x 3.37 / 95 x 85.8 | Gasoline | Direct, high-pressure fuel injection with electronic throttle control | Hydraulic roller finger follower | Cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners | Cast aluminum | RWD | 6-speed manual (MN6) or 8-speed auto (MX0) | 3.27 or 2.77 | 335 / 250 @ 6800 | 284 / 383.4 @ 5300 | 29 / 19 | 27 / 16 |
| Chevrolet | Camaro | LT1, SS | LT1 | 6.2 / 378 | V-8 | OHV, 2 valves per cylinder, VVT | Atmospheric | 11.5:1 | 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92 | Gasoline | Direct injection | Hydraulic roller | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | RWD | 6-speed manual (MN6) or 10-speed auto (MX0) | 3.73 or 2.77 | 455 / 339.3 @ 6000 | 455 / 614.3 @ 4400 | 27 / 16 | 24 / 16 |
| Chevrolet | Camaro | ZL1 | LT4 | 6.2 / 378 | V-8 | OHV, 2 valves per cylinder, VVT | Supercharged | 10.0:1 | 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92 | Gasoline | Direct injection | Hydraulic roller | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum | RWD | 6-speed manual (MN6) or 10-speed auto (MX0) | 3.73 or 2.85 | 650 / 485 @ 6400 | 650 / 881 @ 3600 | 21 / 13 | 20 / 14 |
However, one mechanical change does take place: the SS 1LE Track Performance Package gains the 10-speed automatic transmission as an available gearbox. In previous model years, the Camaro SS models equipped with the 1LE package were only available with the six-speed stick.
Exterior
On the outside, the 2021 Camaro deletes two exterior colors while adding two one new one:
Deleted Colors:
- Garnet Red Tintcoat
- Rally Green Metallic
New Colors:
- Wild Cherry Tintcoat (extra-cost color)
Garnet Red Tintcoat (deleted for 2021)
Rally Green Metallic (deleted for 2021)
The last change to the exterior is the deletion of the LPO-level painted engine cover.
Interior
Inside, the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro deletes the LPO-level spectrum lighting option as well as the recently-introduced navigation upgrade kit.
CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment features gain wireless capability as standard on all models. Finally, wireless phone charging becomes standard on 3LT and 2SS models; it was only standard on the range-topping ZL1 models.
Packages
The final several changes to the 2021 Camaro are in the packages department. First, the Bow Tie brand has added the Wild Cherry Design Package, which is split out into two packages.
Wild Cherry Design Package 1 (PDL):
- Black Metallic Hash Mark Stripes
- Camaro logo wheel center caps
- 20-inch 5-split spoke polished forged wheels with Black star center cap
- Premium carpeted floor mats with Camaro logo
Wild Cherry Design Package 2 (PDN):
- Content of Wild Cherry Design Package 1, plus:
- Black sueded knee pads
- Fuel filler door in Black with visible carbon fiber insert
- Carbon Flash Metallic
- Second generation Ground Effects
- Center Stripe
The Wild Cherry Design package(s)Â are available for both Coupe and Convertible models. The Wild Cherry Design Package 1 is available more broadly – offered on all models except for the LS Coupe and ZL1 Coupe and Convertible. Meanwhile, the Wild Cherry Design Package 2 is only available on 2LT, 3LT and 2SS trim levels.
Though we have no photos of the package, we do know what the 20-inch, 5-split spoke polished forged wheels with Black star center cap look like:
Further changes includes RS Package availability, as it is now offered on the LT1 model. Previously, the package was only available on 1LT, 2LT and 3LT models. It includes:
- 20-inch 5-split spoke premium Gray-painted, machined-face aluminum wheels
- Dark tint LED tail lamps
- RS-specific grilles
- Black front and rear bowties
- Decklid-mounted lip spoiler
Similarly, the Redline Edition is now available on LT1 models. As first reported by GM Authority, the Redline Package was re-introduced for the 2020 Camaro, for which it was available only on 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 1SS and 2SS models. The package includes:
- 20-inch Black-painted aluminum wheels with Red accents
- Black Camaro fender badge with Red outline
- Redline Edition graphics
- Red seat belt color
- Red knee pads
- Premium carpeted floor mats
In addition, the Shock And Steel Special Edition Package is deleted for the 2021 Camaro. As GM Authority was first to report last year, the Shock And Steel Special Edition was introduced for the 2020 model year, where it was available on 2LT, 3LT and 2SS models, and included the following features:
- 20-inch blade design aluminum wheels
- Carbon Flash-painted outside mirrors
- Center stripe
- Silver when Shock color is ordered
- Shock when Satin Steel Metallic is ordered
- Spoiler stripe
- Body-color high-wing spoiler
- Fuel filler door in Black with visible carbon fiber insert
- Yellow-painted calipers
- Black sueded knee pads
- Carbon fiber instrument panel molding
- Premium carpeted floor mats
- Camaro model outline throughout the vehicle
Finally, the Camaro Insignia Package is deleted. Previously available on the LS, LT1, LT2, LT3, 1SS and 2SS trims, the package included:
- Camaro logo fender badge in chrome
- Painted engine cover
- Premium carpeted floor mats with Camaro logo
Looking Ahead
We expect the current, sixth-generation Camaro to soldier on at least until its planned lifecycle, set to end after the 2023 model year. The future of the model is a little unclear after that point, but what will likely take place is that the iconic sports car will transition to a high-performance electric vehicle. We’ll keep our ears to the ground on anything and everything Camaro, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Camaro news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
On a selfish note, I’m glad that they made Rally Green Metallic a 1 year color. We just purchased a ZL1 in that color. Would love to see it limited.
We ordered the R.G. also but its still in production but who knows if we’ll get that order now..it was accepted
I hope you can get it!
Believe me us too !
I Just wish I had bought one! I Guess I’ll try the new Red Cherry. It looks dar? I hope its not.
The problem with the Camaro is not the quality or the options the car has. The biggest problem the Camaro has is visibility from the drivers seat. It is atrocious, the high door, short window platform might look good from an aesthetic point of view, enjoying the car without feeling claustrophobic is the struggle. With the door open it feels fine, but close that door and bam! you are transported into what feels like you are in a poorly thought out nightmare. I wanted a Camaro, my wife and me talked about it since around 2010, they looked good, but when we got in one it was awful. Ended up with a Mustang, our first non-GM car ever, my Dad, and my wife’s dad both get GM pension checks, so this is not something we took lightly. The second thing that caused me to pass on the Camaro was the seating was awful, Every GM car I have sat in, from Cadillacs to Chevrolets have been very uncomfortable, I could not stand a drive in one of those more than an hour or two… I am 6.0, and around 200#, so I am not some funny shape or size.
IF GM wants to continue the Camaro name, they really need to address those issues and I might look at again…
Gm is missing a huge share in the muscle car dept. The problem is they’re trying to make a muscle car a sports car. The only 1 out of the big 3 that have a real muscle car is dodge. Chevy needs to make a big roomy cabin muscle car without all the electronic suspension stuff for a whindy track that 5% of people will ever take to a track and make a big hp strait line car people can race from stop light to stop light like a muscle car used to be get rid of half the tech that dont need to be in a muscle car and add 200 more hp for the same price change the front end a little make visibility better and call it a chevelle…or nova
I think they are slowly messing up with the front end designers and also the exhaust should remain traditional 4 pipes. This new common grille design is worrying, it is now found in so many brands differentiated by name badge. Mustang is identifiable even without the badge, they don’t mess up with trading grille and tail light design
I definitely like this car. Can I get it from the winnings from https://trueblue-casino.net/.
Why can’t GM still maintain the transformers bumble bee edition. Hasbro still stands strong and I would love to see the bumble bee edition come back. However, instead of the rally yellow, bring in the Hasbro edition in the sunrise yellow. The sunrise yellow should be used because it has more of a gold tint to it. The rally yellow is just too bright
More than likely, GM pays Hasbro for every Transformers Edition Camaro they produce, so there is a premium that comes with it. Being that it was only offered on a Yellow Camaro, also makes the market small. Around 2010/2011 when I looked into getting a Bumblebee Camaro, the dealer said they could only get them in the V6, which was a huge turn off for me.
It probably has to do with licensing fees and demand more than anything.
IIRC, GM/Pontiac paid the Trans Am series $5 for every Trans Am they made, it was a pretty low cost thing by the end of the run… $5 was a lot more in 1969 than it was in 2002.
Thanks for your input, makes sense.
I Just wish I had bought one! I Guess I’ll try the new Red Cherry. It looks dar? I hope its not.
I have a 2017 1SS Camaro with a 455 HP Corvette engine and an 8 speed tapshift. It’s a beast. The fastest Camaro I’ve ever owned. I had a 2002 junk, and a 2012 before this one. I only have 4,000 miles on it and I bought it new in September, 2016.
The only problem I’ve had is with the fuel injectors. Two went bad and they cleaned the other six because they couldn’t get all eight new ones. They were out of stock because of the coronovirus and I got tired of waiting for them to come in. They didn’t know why they went bad, just told me to use better gas and drive the car more. Now I use 93 octane Sunoco in it.
Robert, try a bottle of Seaform in the tank every other 2 – 3 gas fills. I have a 99 and it sits through the winter months and a can of Seaform has insured a quick cold start everytime. I also checked my injectors and clean as a whistle…
What is Seaform, and where can you buy it? Is it some type of dry gas or gas treatment?
Robert, yes it’s a gas treatment and injection treatment. It cleans deposits that form and also evaporates water/condensation in the gas tank. You can purchase at any automotive store but I buy at Walmart for 6.95 vs 8.95 everywhere else. Fill up your tank and pour contents into the tank.
CAUTION CAUTION…. IF YOU HAVE CAPLESS GAS TANK YOU WILL NEED A 12″ SKINNY FUNNEL TO OPEN THE GAS TANK DOOR IN THE TUBE TO FILL. IF YOU DON’T THE MIXTURE WILL DUMP ALL OVER TIRE AND BRAKES. THAT’S A MESS WITH COMBUSTIBLE ADDITIVE.
Good luck. That should clear up the issues in between cruises.