Sixth Generation Camaro: What We Know

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Sixth Generation Camaro: What We Know
GMI leverages it's sources to publish the latest on the sixth generation.
www.GMInsideNews.com
January 18, 2011
By: Nick Saporito

After the marathon development of the much-anticipated return of the fifth-generation Camaro, it is hard to believe talk of a future Camaro is already back in the air. Details of the upcoming sixth-generation pony car are still in their infancy stage, but the overall gist of what car is becoming clearer every day. GMI has leveraged its sources to fully compile everything that is currently known about the next Chevrolet Camaro.

By now it is no secret that the next generation Camaro will be shrinking in size. According to sources the car is going to end up being similar in size to that of the BMW 3-Series on GM’s impending Alpha rear-wheel drive architecture. Sources familiar with the program state that a pillar of Alpha development is mass reduction; a notorious problem with today’s Zeta-based Camaro.

Alpha will be debuting with the car known as the ‘Cadillac ATS,’ which is intended to be Cadillac’s own 3-Series competitor. The ATS is confirmed to have sedan, coupe and convertible variants. All three body styles of the ATS will launch prior to the Alpha-based Camaro. As plans stand today, the Camaro is expected to launch as a 2016 model-year vehicle.

ATS models are expected to house a multi-link front suspension similar to the BMW 5-Series in an attempt to reduce mass. It is unknown if that expensive suspension setup will translate to the Camaro. We would guess that to be a no.

Under the hood the sixth-generation Camaro will see substantial changes from today’s model. Sources have stated that GM plans to have a four-cylinder as the base engine. What is not 100-percent confirmed is if that four-cylinder mill will be turbocharged or not. The latest word is that the base four-cylinder will in fact be a turbocharged mill. If that is the case, we would wager to guess it will be a variant of GM’s 2.0-liter turbo.

There has been no confirmation of any V-6 engine offerings at this time.

As far as V-8 engines go, the sixth-generation car will sport a similar V-8 as today’s model. The new Generation V Small Block will be a 6.2-liter mill with all of today’s latest technologies. Direct injection, active fuel management and variable valve timing have been mentioned for this engine. According to sources the V-8 engine option will be reserved for a premium model, perhaps SS or Z28 thanks to impending CAFÉ legislation.

Power is expected to be funneled through a six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic on non-V-8 models. V-8 models are expected to have an eight-speed automatic and seven-speed manual. Sources suggest the eight-speed automatic will be sourced from transmission maker Aisin.

Stay tuned to the GMI Camaro Forum for the latest information on the sixth-generation Camaro.

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[ChevroletGuy]

7 speed stick?! Damn that's a lot of gears.

[377Z]

I thought the 6th gen was to be based on the GMT900 platform, but with the addition of a catalytic converter blister in the passenger side footwell?

[FenwickHockey65]

7 speed stick?! Damn that's a lot of gears.

Heh. I just had to go through the motions of a stickshift to comprehend 7 gears.

[ChevyRules]

Power is expected to be funneled through a six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic on non-V-8 models. V-8 models are expected to have an eight-speed automatic and seven-speed manual. Sources suggest the eight-speed automatic will be sourced from transmission maker Aisin.

Boo! Get it from ZF. While the Aisin in the 1st-gen Equinox is not a bad unit, the ZF that is in my dads 335xi is perfect. While GM is outsourcing for the transmission, make it a DCT.

[ChevroletGuy]

I'm interested in the fact there might not be a V6. Why not use the new turbo 3.0 in the Camaro.

[jckjds]

An 8 speed auto? I hope to God, that means a DCT, and not a standard auto. Adding more gears to a standard auto is like putting lipstick on a pig -- it's still a pig. There will be NO FREAKING EXCUSE for Gm to still be using standard autos in new cars by 2016. VW has been using its dct since 2003 for God's sake.

Love the mass reduction. I hope that becomes a GM trademark feature (low weight for better perfomance and lower fuel consumption).

I have no problem with a blown 4 base, as it will likely generate more power than the V8s of the 80's and the V6s of the 90's.

I hope Gm ditches the retro look for Gen 6 and creates a new, modern design. Somehow, I doubt that will happen, but a guy can hope!

[nadepalma]

Power is expected to be funneled through a six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic on non-V-8 models. V-8 models are expected to have an eight-speed automatic and seven-speed manual. Sources suggest the eight-speed automatic will be sourced from transmission maker Aisin.

Is there anything out there right now that has a 7-speed manual tranmission?

Nick, are they sourcing this from anyone? And if so, I wonder if this will become the "new norm" for Manual transmissions, even as we've gone from 4-speed to 5-speed over years ago and have now migrated (for the most part) from 5-speed to 6-speed in the last decade.

Interesting -- I'd love to hear more about this...

[igotzzoom]

I was under the impression that the Gen V smallblocks would be slightly smaller in displacement than their current counterparts. i.e. the 6.2 would shrink to around 5.5, but offer equivalent power and torque figures with higher fuel economy.

[98sonoma]

I was under the impression that the Gen V smallblocks would be slightly smaller in displacement than their current counterparts. i.e. the 6.2 would shrink to around 5.5, but offer equivalent power and torque figures with higher fuel economy.

That would make sense with with DI and VVT right?

[nadepalma]

I was under the impression that the Gen V smallblocks would be slightly smaller in displacement than their current counterparts. i.e. the 6.2 would shrink to around 5.5, but offer equivalent power and torque figures with higher fuel economy.

I was under the same impression. I was also under the impression that the use of superchargers (or turbochargers?) would be more frequently used to get maximum power and fuel economy from the smaller mills.

I guess we're no longer going this route?

[FenwickHockey65]

I was under the impression that the Gen V smallblocks would be slightly smaller in displacement than their current counterparts. i.e. the 6.2 would shrink to around 5.5, but offer equivalent power and torque figures with higher fuel economy.

I think they're keeping the 5.3L and 6.2L displacements.

[JerryL]

Bring it on ASAP !!!!!!!!! But please buy a few of the current cars for the next 5 years.

[FanOfDurant]

Thanks for the update! So there Will be a new 6.2 engine? I assumed it would be just 5.0 and the 5.5's.. I'm pumped to hear more about the Gen 5 motors! Also curious to see if they'll use Liters for marketing or if any of the displacement numbers will tie into old Chevrolet heritage. I'm thinking the crossflag emblems with 302,327,350,396,454 etc... I can't Wait for these new motors...

As for a turbo 4 Camaro, I like it. As long as there is an Available V8, I think most people will enjoy the base 4 and be really happy with it. That 2.0 is a killer right now. I can only imagine what it will be capable of in a few years.. Particularly since the car will be a little more in line with 'pony car' weight and dimensions.

[Z284ever]

Stop by and say hello at the new Camaro Forum!

Welcome to the new Camaro Forum!