The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is an American pony car. Produced by automobile manufacturer Chevrolet, it was first introduced to the public on May 16, 2015. Sales started in 2015 for the 2016 model year. The Camaro now utilizes the GM Alpha platform shared with the Cadillac ATS and CTS and features MacPherson struts in front, rather than the former multi-link setup. General Motors claims that 70 percent of architectural components in the new Camaro are unique to the car.
The sixth generation of Camaro saw production return to the United States as the fourth and fifth-generation models had been assembled in Canada.
Like its predecessor, the sixth generation of the Camaro is available in coupé and convertible body styles. Compared to the previous generation, it is shorter, narrower and shorter in height. With similar equipment and engine, it is also more than lighter.
Production of the sixth-generation Camaro ended on December 14, 2023.
Trim levels and special editions Trim levels introduced at launch were LT (1LT, 2LT) and SS (1SS, 2SS). Standard equipment on all trims includes automatic air conditioning, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, parking assist, and seven airbags.
Chevrolet added a base LS (1LS) trim level for the 2017 Camaro. Trim level content for the LS is identical to that of the base 1LT trim, with the exception that the 2.0 L turbocharged inline-4 engine and 6-speed manual transmission would be the only available powertrain options for the LS trim. The LS trim was initially introduced in coupé form, followed later by an LS convertible. The 1LT trim received the 8-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles as standard equipment for 2017.
For China, the car was introduced on August 31, 2016 and sold under the RS trim with the 2.0 L turbocharged LTG four-cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic gearbox available for 2017 models onwards as standard.
For the 2017 model year, the 1LE Performance Packages returned, tailored for the V6 and V8 powered 6-speed manual-equipped coupé models respectively. Both of 1LE packages offered share a satin black hood wrap, front splitter, and a three-piece rear spoiler. The V6 1LE package adds FE3 suspension from the Camaro SS, 20-inch forged wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 245/40R20 front tires and 275/35R20 rear tires, Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers, mechanical limited-slip differential with a 3.27:1 ratio, track-cooling package, Alcantara (suede-like) steering wheel, short-throw shifter, dual-mode exhaust, Camaro SS fuel system to accommodate higher-load cornering, and a high-flow front grille.
Starting in 2019, the 1LE Package was also available with the four cylinder turbo. It adds similar equipment to the V6 1LE, including the FE3 suspension, Brembo brakes, 20-inch forged wheels with 245/40 and 275/35 Eagle F1 tires, track cooling, and mechanical limited-slip differential. The visual changes are also the same as the V6 1LE's. Car and Driver testing showed the I4 1LE was only 1.6 seconds slower around VIR than the V6.
For the 2020 model year, the Camaro LT1 debuted (not to be confused with the turbocharged I4 or V6-powered 1LT trim), and paired the styling of the standard LT trims with the 6.2L LT1 V8 engine from the SS models. Unlike the SS models, the LT1 trim could be equipped with the RS Package (RPO Code 'WRS') as the LT models. Options and packages also remained the same as the 1LT trim. A new 3LT trim was introduced that included all of the optional equipment of the mid-level 2LT trim, and the 2LT trim was de-contented, deleting the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Bose premium audio system (replaced by a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 6-speaker audio system, respectively). These features became optional equipment on the 2LT trim.
For 2022 and onwards, the 1LE Package for the I4 or V6 trims was deleted.
In 2024, several changes were made to Camaro orders as GM got ready to cut production of the vehicle. A few of these changes included: shortening the production run for the 2024 Camaro, producing fewer units than in previous years, no longer offering fleet or government orders, and removing any GM employee discounts. Several major options were also discontinued such as the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LTG engine, the Rapid Blue and Shadow Gray Metallic paint colors, the lowered suspension and sway bar options, the 20-inch Caliente wheels, and the base 1LS trim level.
SS
The SS model is equipped with a 6.2L LT1 V8 engine offered both as a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic.
Chevrolet reports the SS produces and of torque, and can accelerate from 0- in 4.0 seconds.
This model comes in two different trims, the 1SS and 2SS, which are mainly differentiated by their interior features. While the 1SS packs the same power, it lacks the leather heated/ventilated seats of the 2SS. The 2SS includes some other features left out in the 1SS like interior spectrum lighting, heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, Bose audio, and wireless charging. Beginning in 2019, the 2SS trim also included a rearview mirror camera to improve visibility of the rear of the vehicle.
Both SS trim levels allow the addition of the available 1LE package which adds the Magnetic Ride Control FE4 suspension derived from the ZL1, electronic limited-slip differential with 3.73:1 ratio, 20-inch forged wheels with Goodyear Supercar 3 285/30R20 front tires and 305/30R20 rear tires, Brembo six-piston front brake calipers with two-piece 14.6-inch rotors, track-cooling package (oil cooler, transmission cooler, and differential cooler), Recaro front seats with Alcantara and leather upholstery, Alcantara steering wheel and short-throw shifter, dual-mode exhaust, and a color heads-up display.
In 2019 and subsequent years, the new 10L80 10-speed automatic transmission was offered in the SS trim level.
ZL1
The ZL1 is a high-performance model introduced in 2017 at the top of the Camaro lineup. The ZL1 is powered by a 6.2 L LT4 supercharged V8 producing and . The powertrain also features 11 total heat exchangers for optimized cooling.
It features a lower grille opening for improved cooling, a new front splitter, and a carbon hood insert which removes hot air from the engine compartment. It also features wider front fenders to accommodate wider tires for improved handling, 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, unique rockers, and Magnetic Ride suspension. The ZL1 also features Brembo brakes with six-piston monoblock front calipers and 15.35-inch two-piece front rotors. The interior features Recaro front seats, as well as a sueded flat-bottom steering wheel and specialized shift knob.
Transmission choices are a rev matching 6-speed manual or a newly developed 10-speed automatic. The 10-speed 10L90 transmission was developed in collaboration with Ford. General Motors manufactures its own version in its own factory in Romulus, Michigan.
Performance figures include a acceleration time of 3.5 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 11.4 seconds at . The ZL1's official top speed is .
The ZL1, along with the SS, were banned for sale in California and Washington due to their brake pads containing toxic metals and asbestos that were banned in California in 2014 and brake pads containing more than 5% of copper have been prohibited starting in January 2021.
ZL1 1LE Extreme Track Performance Package
A more track-focused version known as the ZL1 1LE was introduced in 2017, a package featuring various performance enhancements to the standard ZL1.
On the exterior, it includes aerodynamic components developed with wind tunnel testing to produce of downforce at , consisting of a new front splitter, dive planes and a rear wing. It also features optimized grille and intake openings which allow 106 cubic feet more air per minute than the regular ZL1’s front end.
Additionally, the 1LE package includes adjustable Multimatic spool-valve shocks (similar to the previous generation of the Camaro Z28) paired with adjustable ball-jointed top mounts for camber adjustment and springs that are three times stiffer than the standard ZL1. The smaller 19-inch wheels (as opposed to 20-inch on the standard ZL1) are lighter each and feature wider Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires with a compound formulated specially for the 1LE. The rubber subframe bushings are also replaced with solid aluminum counterparts to increase driving response.
Weight was also reduced by as compared to a standard ZL1 due to thinner rear-window glass, fixed rear seatback, and lighter wheels and suspension components.
The 1LE Package was initially only available with a six-speed manual transmission, but later offered with a 10-speed automatic transmission from 2019 onwards.
In 2017, a ZL1 1LE set a lap time of 7 minutes, 16.04 seconds at the Nürburgring Nordschleife race track, driven by Bill Wise in an official test done by Chevrolet. This lap time was 13.6 seconds faster than the standard ZL1.
Special Editions 50th Anniversary Special Edition
The first special edition of the new Camaro became available in 2017. Available on 2LT and 2SS models in both coupé and convertible body styles, the 50th Anniversary Special Edition includes Nightfall Gray Metallic exterior paint, unique 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and wheel center caps, the RS Appearance Package (for LT/2LT models only), an orange 50th Anniversary exterior decal package with hood and rear trunk lid stripes, a "FIFTY" emblem on each front fender, a Nightfall Gray Metallic-painted front splitter, orange-painted front and rear brake calipers (front only for LT/2LT), black leather-and-Alcantara-trimmed seating surfaces with orange color accent stitching (including stitching on the dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel), and special door sill plates. However, all 2017 Chevrolet Camaro models received the same "FIFTY" badge on the bottom of the three-spoke steering wheel to commemorate the Camaro's 50th Anniversary.
Hot Wheels Special Edition
At the SEMA Show in October 2017, Chevrolet introduced the Camaro Hot Wheels Special Edition, designed to commemorate both the 50th Anniversary of Hot Wheels die-cast toy vehicles, as well as all Hot Wheels diecast Chevrolet Camaro models, with inspiration coming from an actual Hot Wheels toy car. Available on 2LT and 2SS models in both coupé and convertible body styles, the Hot Wheels Special Edition includes a unique Crush Orange exterior paint, 20-inch Graphite-finished machined-face aluminum-alloy wheels (with summer-only tires on SS/2SS models), a Satin Graphite exterior decal package with hood and rear trunk lid stripes and silver accents, Satin Graphite exterior accents, a "Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary" front fender emblem, a unique front grille with Galvano chrome inserts, orange-painted front and rear brake calipers (front only for LT/2LT), a black Chevrolet bowtie emblem, a Jet Black leather-trimmed interior with orange color accent stitching (including stitching on the dashboard, door panels, and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel), illuminated front door sill plates with the 'Hot Wheels' insignia, premium carpeted floor mats with orange-colored stitching and "Ghost Stripes", and orange knee bolsters and seat belts.
Redline Edition
For the 2018 model year, Chevrolet introduced the Chevrolet Camaro Redline Edition which joins the lineup of Chevrolet Redline Edition models already on sale at dealerships nationwide. The Redline Edition package included 20-inch black aluminum-alloy wheels with red accent stripes (including summer-only tires), black-painted side mirrors, a black lower front grille insert with red accent stripes, black bowtie emblems, Gloss Black front fender accent hash marks with red accents, a blackout rear tail lamp panel, darkened tail lamps, premium carpeted floor mats with red accents, and Gloss Black "Camaro" emblems on each front fender with red outlining.
ZL1 Garage 56 Edition