In addition to the performance benefit, Chevrolet wanted to score fuel economy and the best way to improve all three is by reducing weight. In comparison to the current model, the sixth-gen Camaro will be 200 pounds lighter.
Much of the weight has been shed thanks to a new and more efficient architecture built by GM, in addition to other small weight saving changes.
As one can imagine, swapping steel for aluminum plays a big part in shedding the excess. 9.7 pounds were trimmed off by swapping the materials for the beam that supports the instrument panel as well as using the light metal for the front and rear suspension assemblies. This results in a 21-percent lighter suspension that’s structurally optimized to deliver the performance we’d expect.
Chevrolet seems to be pleased with the end result. “We kept the cornering confidence and control that make the Gen five Camaro 1LE so fun to drive, and added a greater sense of agility,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “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.”
We’ll see the new 2016 Camaro first hand when its revealed to the public at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park on May 16th.
