2016 Chevrolet Camaro Debuts in Detroit Tomorrow

Enthusiasts from U.S. and Canada expected for daylong Camaro celebration

More than 1,000 people are expected to join Chevrolet for the debut of the all-new Chevrolet Camaro tomorrow on Detroit’s scenic Belle Isle where hundreds of those attending will be Camaro enthusiasts – and their cars – from 35 States and Canada.

A day-long Camaro celebration begins at 8:30 a.m. with a caravan of more than 350 Camaros around the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix course. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. enthusiasts can tour a museum of historic Camaro models, ride in a Camaro Z/28 hot lap around the race course, and drive many current Chevrolet products.

Available spots for attenders were claimed within hours of the public invitation. An additional 2,400 enthusiasts are on a waiting list.

“The response really speaks to the passion owners have for Camaro,” said Todd Christensen, Camaro marketing manager. “I wish we could accommodate more people on Belle Isle, but we are limited by space for the reveal itself. For those fans on the wait list, Chevrolet will send them an exclusive sneak-preview of the new Camaro just before the rest of the world sees it at the reveal.”

All enthusiasts can follow the May 16 events online at thecamarosix.com, which will serve as the hub of all information, photos and video.   

In addition:

• Enthusiasts can follow updates throughout the weekend at the Camaro Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/chevycamaro and on Twitter using #CAMAROSIX
• Videos of the Camaro celebration and reveal will be posted throughout the day at camarosixvideos.com
• Full product information for the 2016 Camaro, including photography, will be available atwww.camarosixmedia.com shortly after the car’s 4 p.m. introduction on May 16

FAST FACT: The original, 1967 Camaro was first shown to the media in Detroit, on Sept. 12, 1966. Its public introduction occurred two weeks later – only a few days before the car rolled into Chevrolet dealership showrooms.

2016 Camaro is all about the Aero

Total aerodynamic lift improved by 30 percent for improved stability

After 350 hours of wind tunnel testing – often 24 hours a day – the new Camaro will slip more easily through the wind, and drivers of the Camaro SS will experience a marked improvement in reduced aerodynamic lift.

These changes illustrate the lengths the aerodynamics team went to for improved performance, stability, cooling and lower wind noise intrusion

“The importance of aerodynamics increases exponentially as we increase vehicle performance,” said Kirk Bennion, Exterior Design manager. “As engine output increases, we need more engine cooling. As acceleration and top speeds climb, we need to reduce lift for better high-speed stability. However, we cannot make any changes at the expense of increasing drag, which can hurt fuel economy.

“To balance these different aerodynamic targets, we tested literally hundreds of changes on the new Camaro, millimeters at a time.”

For example, the initial design called for the lower grille bars to be set at a 20-degree angle to the horizon. However, after meticulous testing, the team improved engine-cooling airflow by 1 percent by shifting the angle to 13 degrees – a change that achieved the airflow target while maintaining the original grille design.

And rather than a traditional front air dam to reduce aerodynamic lift, the team developed a flush belly pan that stretches from the front grille to the center of the vehicle. Paired with small “spats” forward of the front tires, the smooth underbody helps reduce total lift by 30 percent – while also reducing aerodynamic drag.

Chevrolet will introduce the all-new, 2016 Camaro on Saturday, May 16, during a special public event at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park.

Sculpted Exterior Reflects 2016 Camaro’s New Athleticism

The design has been updated with greater detailing–
including a subtle crease running parallel to the fender

For the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, the design team set out to create a leaner, more athletic design that complemented the new driving experience.

“The Camaro went to the gym and came out with a lithe, more athletic physique for the sixth generation,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design. “It’s a more expressive evolution of the Camaro’s iconic character – and one that complements its leaner size and sharper reflexes.”

The exterior design vocabulary is defined by complex shapes, which appear to be form-fitted around the mechanical components. Every shape and surface detail is a skilled, artistic collaboration of hand and digital sculpting.

Camaro’s new design details draw the eye into the design. For example, the new aluminum hood features powerful, smoothly curved sculpted forms accented with sharp creases. As a result, the hood appears to be shrink-wrapped around the engine.

The design is defined by complex shapes such as the hood, which is
formed with smooth, curved surfaces separated by sharp creases.

Similarly, the new Camaro retains the broad, dramatic rear fenders that became a defining feature of the award-winning Gen 5 Camaro. The design is updated with greater detailing, including a subtle crease running parallel to the fender edge. The effect makes the new Camaro look even lower and wider despite having a slightly smaller footprint than its predecessor.

Chevrolet will introduce the all-new, 2016 Camaro on Saturday, May 16, during a special public event at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park.

2016 Camaro Does More with Less

New model is at least 200 pounds lighter than current car

An aluminum beam to support the instrument panel, which is
9.7 lbs. (4.4 kg) lighter than the previous steel beam. 

For the all-new, 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, the team was challenged to improve the handling, acceleration and fuel economy of the award-winning current model.

To meet all three objectives, the team focused on a singular mission: reduce mass. By obsessively searching for opportunities to save ounces, the team pared more than 200 pounds off the Camaro compared with the fifth-generation model.

As a result, the Camaro does more with less, according to Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer:

“We kept the cornering confidence and control that make the Gen 5 Camaro 1LE so fun to drive, and added a greater sense of agility,” he said. “The new Camaro brakes harder, flicks into corners more quickly, and drives out of the corner faster. We expect it will set the benchmark in the segment and give many sports cars a challenge.”

Aluminum front and rear suspension assemblies, with links on some models
made of rigid composite material that’s even lighter than aluminum.
The total weight for the suspension has been reduced 21 percent.

A new architecture, one of the most mass-efficient ever from General Motors, is responsible for much of the weight savings.

Additionally, dozens of small changes cumulatively contributed to shedding pounds. For example, the beam that supports the instrument panel is now made of aluminum, saving 9.7 pounds (4.4 kg) over the steel beam on the current generation Camaro.

In addition, the front and rear suspension assemblies are now aluminum, and links on some models feature an intricate, structurally optimized design made with a rigid composite material that’s even lighter than aluminum. As a result, the total weight for the suspension is 21 percent lighter compared to current steel-intensive assemblies.

Chevrolet will introduce the all-new 2016 Camaro on Saturday, May 16, during a special public event at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park.