2016 Chevrolet Camaro revealed

Chevy unveils its new Camaro muscle car hero, but its Australian future remains doubtful. 

Chevrolet’s all-new Mustang-fighting muscle car has been revealed and promises to be the bow-tie brand’s most capable Camaro yet.

Chevy claims that under the skin, the new car is a revolution. Outside however, the design is clearly more of an evolution, with the same retro muscle styling as before.

At the front there’s the familiar letter-box grille and bluff nose, while the cabin is set rearwards with a fastback style rear end.

The design of the new Camaro is slightly sharper than before with harder and more defined lines than the outgoing model to give a slightly more modern look. 

While it may appear similar to its predecessor, the new model is vastly different beneath the skin, boasting a new range of engines and a lightweight aluminium architecture.

Gone is the Australian-developed Zeta platform shared with the Commodore, replaced by a new lightweight aluminium-intensive Alpha structure also used by the Cadillac ATS and CTS models.

This platform makes the new Camaro 28 per cent stiffer than its predecessor while weighing around 90kg less.

Bad news is with these new underpinnings the Camaro is even less likely to be sold in Australia this time around because the Alpha platform hasn’t yet been engineered for right-hand drive.

While Holden has confirmed it will have a rear-wheel drive sports car in its showrooms post Commodore, at this stage Chevy has ruled out a right-hook Camaro.

Currently it seems the next-gen Corvette may be the most likely option.

Bad news is with these new underpinnings the Camaro is even less likely to be sold in Australia this time around.

Engine options in the new Camaro include a V8, V6 and a turbocharged four-cylinder. 

The four-cylinder Camaro develops 205kW and 400Nm and can hit 100km/h in less than six seconds.

Unsurprisingly, it’s also the most fuel efficient Camaro ever capable of using less than 7.8L/100km.

The 3.6-litre V6 model develops 245kW/385Nm, though its fuel economy and performance figures are unconfirmed.

The only V8 option for now is the Camaro SS, powered by the 6.2-litre LT1 V8 from the Corvette Stingray developing 340kW/616Nm.

More hardcore performance models are due further in the Camaro’s life-cycle including a new hard core Z28 track special and supercharged 492kW ZL1.  

Transmission options across all models include a six-speed manual and an eight-speed torque converter automatic with paddle shifters.

The SS also boasts a rev-matching auto throttle blip on down shifts with the manual transmission as well as magnetic adjustable dampers, 20-inch alloys and Brembo brakes as standard.

The Camaro’s interior has also been thoroughly updated with new higher quality materials and a unique dashboard design with an eight-inch central display supplemented by another eight-inch screen located in the instrument cluster.

It also features its electronic park brake and selectable drive mode buttons located on a nice slither of aluminium mounted on the centre console.

Further news on whether the steering wheel will be switched to the right-hand side is expected in the next few months.