M/T drives 2016 Camaro RS V6

[kevm14]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sed ... st-review/

For the first time this sounds like a good car, on its own. It weighs 3,461 lbs which is just awesome (with 8-speed auto).

You can get 335 hp and 0.92 G on the skidpad for $26k. M/T clocked 13.8 @ 103 mph which means, if I am not paying attention in my CTS-V, you'll have me. In a V6 Camaro.

[Bob]

This is a M/T 1/4 mile so it's probably more like 14.5 @ 97 in real life

All kidding aside, I think this is clear evidence that GM did the right thing by slotting the V6 in the middle of the lineup, as opposed to what Ford did with the Ecoboost. I am hoping that the V6 Camaro still manages to find its way into the rental fleets somehow so I can drive one.

[kevm14]

C/D got 14.1 @ 100, with a manual trans.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... est-review

The 8 speed is assuredly faster.

[kevm14]

Manny
Voter Score+11

You can great leather, touchscreen, and performance packages on a V6 model?!?!?!? Why didnt Ford think of that?

Brian T.
Voter Score+11

I don't have enough plus ones. Ford's hierarchy is idiotic.

[kevm14]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... ive-review

For the first time someone can be proud to own the V6. Is the SS better? Sure. But this one is not a neutered performer.

Adopting General Motors’ Alpha rear-drive platform and tidying up the dimensions has shaved some 300 pounds (as shown by our test of the manual V-6) versus the outgoing car. With less weight to lug around, the V-6 pulls surprisingly hard and sounds fantastic while doing so. The car we drove was equipped with the optional dual-mode exhaust, which modulated the six’s volume between a raspy burble just off idle to a zingy scream at higher engine speeds, and added sharp crescendos to full-throttle upshifts. For those accustomed to writing off V-6 muscle cars because they lack a V-8’s aural signature, give this Camaro a listen; it might not have a V-8’s barrel-chested voice, but it speaks in the same accent.

If Chevrolet needed to get two things right about the Camaro’s insides, the seats and wheel are it, because the V-6 Camaro is more sports car than rental car. Using Chevy’s figures, the automatic-equipped V-6 coupe is 250 pounds lighter than the stick-shift V-8 Camaro, and it feels that way. The nose changes direction with more eagerness, the standard suspension keeps body motions in check (adaptive dampers are available only on the SS), and the steering response is sharp and immediate. The SS turns in more violently, but that comes courtesy of wider summer tires that aren’t available on the V-6. All-season rubber aside, while Ford leaves the V-6 Mustang to wallow in a relatively option-free zone below the EcoBoost, Chevy allows V-6 buyers to add a performance-enhancing package with Brembo brakes, an external engine-oil cooler, and an auxiliary radiator.

Like I said, the V6 is a legit performance car in a way previous ones were not, even the 5th gen.

[kevm14]

Yet there’s no reason to feel swindled if you get the V-6; it returns the right sensations, makes the right noises, and delivers dynamic fidelity on par with far less humble cars. It’s a holistic and well-rounded thing, and it should have every Camaro intender double-checking their eight-cylinder desires.

Bill I remember I was standing in your cube a month or two ago, attempting to make this argument with you and Shawn but you guys weren't hearing it. Looks like I was right.

[bill25]

You are wrong.

It doesn't matter how good this is. Everyone including Corolla owners will say to you "oh, it isn't the V8? Too bad, you didn't even get a manual... Why buy a sports car."

You can say it doesn't matter that people will say that, but it does matter. The same way it matters that I have manual windows that nobody except myself has to roll down. Have fun buying a V6 Camaro.

[kevm14]

This car is going to make the V6 pony car legitimate. Not because it's super fast but because it's a good car. The 5th gen V6 was half-assed compared to this thing. And let's not discuss the 4th gen or 3rd gen V6 F-Bodies. Just gets worse as you go back.

[Adam]

Everyone including Corolla owners will say to you "oh, it isn't the V8? Too bad, you didn't even get a manual... Why buy a sports car."

Then they go back to their boring Corollas and commute in mediocrity. Sounds like really living the life.

[kevm14]

This car is going to make the V6 pony car legitimate.

Let me qualify that so we're not just exchanging dramatic statements. This car will begin the conversation away from "who buys a V6 muscle car" to "the V6 Camaro is a real car, with a total package that may appeal to a wider audience, and is superior to every V6 pony car that came before it, to include the redesigned Mustang." You do have to ask the question: are they really intending to widen the market for the V6 Camaro or is this just a step to make the folks who were already in the V6 Camaro demographic not look as silly for making that choice? Either way, progress is progress. But I digress.

The better version of EVERY car is better. The M5 is better than the 550i which is better than the 535 which is better than the 528. Why did you get the 4 cylinder RAV4 when the V6 would have made a totally boring car at least partially entertaining?

Who buys the 4 cylinder Venza? It's balls slow and gets crappy fuel economy anyway.

Minivans don't even come with 4 cylinders anymore.

Why did you get the L05 when you could have had an LT1?

CTS V6? Snooze. Why didn't you get the CTS-V?

Cloth? Why didn't you get leather?

Manual climate control? Why, when automatic is available in a better trim level?

SRX V6? That's lame. The Northstar is way better.

04 GTO with the LS1? Why wouldn't you start with the 05 w/ LS2 and 50 more hp and better brakes?

97 Camaro Z28 w/ LT1? Should have gotten the 98 Z28 w/ LS1.

LQ4? If it's an N/A build, you should have gone for the LQ9. More compression and a better cam to start with.

Saab 9-3? Why would you bother when the 9-3 Viggen has the same reliability and fuel economy, and similarly terrible resale, but is way faster?

It goes on and on and on and on. The point is, the Camaro doesn't present some unique case of "why didn't you get the better one?"


And let's get another thing straight. Would I buy a V6 Camaro? Nope. But that doesn't mean it isn't a defensible choice. Previous V6 Camaros fell into the bucket of "I want to be seen in a car of this shape but for less money." This car has FAR more to offer and that is noteworthy.