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Review: 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is a traffic-stopper

Mark Phelan
Detroit Free Press
The new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is lighter and more powerful,

DETROIT — Lighter and more powerful is usually a good formula for a performance car, and it pays off for the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro.

I just drove a Camaro 650 miles from Detroit, on the shores of the Great Lakes, to Nashville, in cotton and coal country.

I'd do another 650 in a heartbeat. But in addition to delivering a Halloween basket full of treats, the all-new Camaro is still up to a couple of its old tricks.

The Camaro is entirely new for 2016. It uses the same light, rear-wheel-drive architecture as the Cadillac ATS and CTS sport sedans. It just began rolling out of the same plant as the Caddies in Lansing, Mich. A convertible should hit the road in time for spring.

My test car was a well-equipped Camaro RS. It had a 6-speed manual transmission and GM's all-new 3.6-liter V-6 engine.

The Camaro's small windows limit visibility.

Don't be fooled: It's the same displacement as last year's V-6, but entirely new, more efficient and powerful. It's got cylinder deactivation to save fuel. The system works imperceptibly. I couldn't tell when I had 3 cylinders and when the engine was firing on all 6. The official fuel-economy rating isn't available yet, but I averaged a pretty good 26.5 miles per gallon in a long drive that included highway, twisting country roads, hills and construction zones.

My car was nearly 300 pounds lighter than a comparable V-6 model of the previous Camaro. That weight savings contributes to acceleration and handling as well as fuel economy.

The V-6 accelerated strongly in all gears but sixth, which is a pretty tall overdrive. The engine note is unobtrusive, the shifter and clutch light and easy.

The Camaro is smooth and stable in quick maneuvers and feels planted on fast sweeping curves. There's very little body roll, squat or dive.

Despite its reduced weight, Chevy says the new Camaro's chassis is 28% stiffer.

The Camaro's new 3.6L V6 generates 335 hp and has cylinder deactivation to save fuel.

The steering is nicely weighted, with good feedback and a solid on-center feel on the highway.

Features on my test car included head-up display, power sun roof, blind-spot alert, backup camera, navigation and Apple CarPlay.

Don't even consider buying a Camaro without the blind-spot alert, camera and parking assist. The car may be entirely new, but the small windows, large blind spots and limited visibility will feel familiar to anybody who drove the last generation Camaro coupe.

My car had a sticker price of $38,030. That's competitive with a similar midlevel Ford Mustang, a bit more than a Dodge Challenger and considerably less than the luxury models that are the only other performance coupes on the market.

The new Camaro is a traffic stopper. It drew fans every time I stopped. It has the classic Camaro shape and proportions, but a narrow grille and scalloped sides make it look much leaner. The high beltline and low roof limit your field of vision, particularly with big pillars and a small rear window.

The Camaro's trunk has a very small opening.

The trunk is small, a shortcoming exacerbated by a very small opening.

The interior has several appealing new features. Apple CarPlay makes the car an extension of your iPhone, reading texts to you, playing music, making phone calls and setting navigation destinations. The much-maligned Apple Maps feature has improved immensely. It never steered me wrong.

The driver can choose from 24 colors of ambient light or a "show" setting that cycles through the full palette.

Chevrolet expects to have Android Auto up and running soon for non-iPhone users.

The climate control system features big round vents, which doubled as temperature controls for the dual-zone system. The front seat is roomy and comfortable, with a good center bin for phones, other USB devices and glasses. The armrests are comfortable and padded.

Chevrolet also will build a 455-horsepower Camaro SS and a base model with a 270-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder. The turbo is the lightest model in the Camaro family, down 390 pounds versus the lightest 2015 V-6 model, but it generates more torque than the new V-6.

That's an intriguing combination.

What Stands Out

Lightness: Drops 300 pound

Less bendy: 28% stiffer chassis

Engine: Powerful but more efficient

2016 Chevrolet Camaro

What? The new version of the rear-wheel-drive sport coupe

When? Goes on sale next month

Where? Made in Lansing, Mich.

How much? Starts at $25,700 plus $995 in delivery charges.

What makes it go? There are three engine choices: a 275-horsepower 2-liter 4-cylinder; a 335-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6; and a 455-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8. They are paired with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.

How big? 15.7 feet

How thirsty?: Not yet rated

Overall: Pull one into your driveway, and you'll be the star of the neighborhood.

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