Chevy’s Find New Roads Trip started its cross country tour in Detroit last week. Chevy is traveling road show highlights five all new models – from Detroit across the U.S. ending on the West Coast just in time for the LA Auto Show. So, if you are on the route, you just might see some 2016 Camaros blow by you on the interstate before they are even in showrooms.
BMWBLOG met the show at one of their stops to check it out. The highlight of the road show for us was the all new Chevy Camaro and the Chevy Volt. It was surprising to find the show is hosted by actual Chevrolet’s designers and engineers who were there for the public to talk to. We spent a fair amount of time talking with Tom Peters, Chevrolet’s Camaro exterior design director.
2016 Camaro
All new design – yet still immediately recognizable – the new 6th Generation Camaro makes its tour across the country. We asked Designer Tom Peters a question that our own Andrew Murphy penned: how do you update an iconic design? Peters said they started with the all-new alpha platform, shared with the Cadillac CTS and worked their way out. They wanted a new chiseled exterior and the car had to have an athletic stance with a wide track and fenders.
Camaro SS design features air curtains reducing drag around the front wheels and an aggressive front end that helps channel air to help with cooling. Even small details garnered a lot of thought -he said – like the red white and blue Camaro throw back badges.
The 2016 Camaro comes with new mechanicals including an 8-speed automatic transmission and the LT1 V8 engine – a 6.2L 455 hp monster straight out of the Corvette.
Bermbo brakes are standard on SS and are optional on the LT. The LT comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 270 hp. The new Camaro shed 300 lbs over previous generation – depending on the engine choice. There is a lot of cool new tech in the Camaro, like a customizable display for the driver between the tachometer and the speedometer, and an 8 inch navigation and infotainment on the center dash.
A Dual Mode Exhaust System with active diverter valve can bypass mufflers under hard acceleration and allows a more full sound. The Camaro can also chose to go in “stealth” mode.
Wheels and tires for the new Camaro start with 18 inch wheels shot with Goodyear Eagle Sport and can be optioned up to 20 inch wheels in the SS with up to 275/35/20’s on the rear with the Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric. The wheels can be in silver, black or polished aluminum.
2016 Chevy Volt
The second generation Volt now offers range up to 53 miles on pure electric power. On a full charge and a full tank of gas, the Volt has 400 miles of range. Many Volt owners who drive less than 50 miles a day can travel on pure electric and make over 1,000 miles between fill-ups.
The gasoline motor adds the convenience of a back-up for longer trips. The new Volt is isn’t available everywhere yet but is rolling out in its hottest markets such as California.
2016 Equinox
The freshly designed compact SUV for 2016 includes tech highlights, like 4G LTE WiFi that connects up to seven devices, blind spot detection, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alert. The all-new Equinox is EPA rated at up to 32 mpg depending on configuration.
2016 Malibu
Totally new design starting for 2016 and EPA rated for up to 48 mpg city for the hybrid version. It features improved aero with active grille that shuts on the highway reducing drag and improving fuel economy. The tech included in the car is quite impressive – forward collision alert, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.
2016 Colorado Duramax Turbo-Diesel
The new Colorado features a new engine option for one of the hottest selling trucks in the US. Chevy adds a four-cylinder diesel that puts out 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and ups the towing capacity to 7,700lbs. Tech highlights – Apple CarPlay linked to an 8 inch touchscreen, optional 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, standard rear vision camera, forward collision alert and lane departure warning.
