Next Camaro around 100kg lighter

Chevrolet has revealed that its sixth-generation Camaro coupe, which is odds-on to hit Holden showrooms before the VF Commodore is axed in early 2018, will be around 100kg lighter than the model it replaces.

Due to make its world public debut in Detroit on May 16, Chevy claims its Mk6 pony car will be "at least" 200 pounds (90.7kg) lighter than the fifth-generation Camaro, which is based on the same Australian-developed Zeta platform that underpins Holden's VE/VF Commodore.

Chevrolet says that will make the all-new Alpha platform-based 2016 Camaro handle and accelerate better than the outgoing model, as well as making it more efficient.

Camaro chief engineer Al Oppenheiser said the next Camaro's new chassis architecture, which is claimed to be "one of the most mass-efficient ever from General Motors", will set new dynamic benchmarks in a segment that includes the new Ford Mustang due on sale here in December.

“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.”

Among the range of weight-saving measures are new aluminium front and rear suspension assemblies that are claimed to be 21 per cent lighter compared to current steel-intensive assemblies. In addition, the links on some models feature "an intricate, structurally optimised design made with a rigid composite material that’s even lighter than aluminium".

There's also a new aluminium, rather than steel, instrument panel supporting member, reducing weight by 4.4kg, and GM has previously said that 70 per cent of the new chassis is unique to Camaro.

Presumably, therefore, only 30 per cent of its chassis is common with the Cadillac ATS, which also rides on the rear-drive Alpha platform.

"In fact, the only two parts carrying over from the previous model are the brand's bow-tie emblem at the back and the SS badge," says GM.

The new technical details are the latest in a series of pre-reveal announcements, including the look of the car's new retro badge and basic specs of its 6.2-litre LT1 V8. The 2016 Camaro has also been spied in testing as early as September last year <<<< news/2014/medium-passenger/chevrolet/camaro/spy-pics-chevy-camaro-spotted-testing-46375 >>>>>.

GM says is it's 20 per cent new including its tubular "tri-Y" exhaust manifolds, and suggests the next model will be even more powerful than the current 505hp (377kW) Camaro Z/28.

Chevy's next Camaro could also be available with petrol V6 and turbocharged four-cylinder engines, echoing the move by Ford with its latest Mustang.

The Camaro's weight-loss program is similar to that of the new Malibu, which will be up to 140kg lighter when it appears in both conventional and hybrid forms at this week's New York motor show.

Chevy's new mid-size sedan, which is yet to be confirmed for Australia, will ride on the same front/all-wheel drive platform as the imported replacement for Holden's final homegrown Commodore.

The Camaro and Malibu will be two of five redesigned Chevrolet models to be revealed in the US this year. Holden has confirmed the new Barina Spark for release in early 2016, but is yet to confirm local launches for the second-generation Cruze and Volt.