Brand-new Chevy Camaro coming in May
General Motors plans to reveal the latest generation of its Chevrolet Camaro sports car in May.
The automaker said the sixth-generation pony car, introduced as a 1967 model, will be a completely new vehicle.
The only two parts that will carry over from the fifth-generation model are the iconic Chevrolet bow tie emblem on the tail lamp panel and the SS badge.
GM isn’t providing many details about the new vehicle or a photo of what it will look like until a special enthusiasts event at which it will be introduced on May 16 at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park.
“The minute you see – and hear – the Gen 6, you know it’s a Camaro, from the stance to the driving experience to the sound of the Small Block V-8,” said Mark Reuss, GM’s executive vice president for global product development.
It is expected to go on sale late this year or early next year as a 2016 model.
The new Camaro will be built on GM’s Alpha car platform, which is already used by the Cadillac ATS and CTS models. But the automaker said it is modifying the platform for the Camaro. It will be lengthened so that the car will have the classic Camaro proportions and widened to improve cornering.
“Alpha provided a strong foundation, but more than 70% of the components are unique to the Gen 6 Camaro, including exterior and interior dimensions, an all-new interior, front and rear suspension, and powertrain components,” Reuss said.
GM didn’t talk about price or engine options, but the car’s cost is expected to be similar to the current model, and based on the other performance cars on the market, the engine choices will likely range from a four cylinder turbo to a powerful V-8.
The current Camaro starts at about $25,000 but can climb to $75,000 for the high performance Z/28 model.
Camaro sales rose 7% last year to 86,297, allowing it to hold on to the pony car crown for the fifth consecutive year. Ford Mustang’s sales were 82,635 last year, according to Autodata Corp.
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