What a difference between 2015 and 2016!
In a rare instance for the unveiling of a brand-new car, Chevrolet brought six prototypes — 2016 Camaros with V-6 engines — to the unveiling for journalists last weekend to flog around the road course of the upcoming Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.
The assembled media were invited to do a lap in a 2015 Camaro V-6, then immediately do a lap in a 2016 prototype to experience the difference between the two models. What a difference it is. The outgoing 2015 Camaro was ponderous.
It rolled in turns and featured steering that was neither tight nor communicative.
The 2016 felt tight, quick and extremely solid.
The feel of the steering was markedly improved, and the car exhibited an alacrity and precision that was lacking in the outgoing model.
The new seating position was excellent, and the new lower dashboard helped with outward forward visibility. But the Camaro still makes you feel like you’re sitting in a bunker, looking out of a gun slit.
Ride and handling were outstanding.
The suspension was able to soak up track imperfections with ease, not disturbing either the steering or stability.
The brakes felt much stronger as well. The 2015 model’s brakes felt squishy and overworked after several laps with journalists at the wheel, but the 2016 model exhibited no fade or softness in the pedal.
I sampled both the eight-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions.
Though the manual felt light and precise, the automatic’s ability to learn it was on a track and hold gears well beyond the point when a normal automatic should shift was extraordinary.
To put it simply, the old 2015 V-6 model felt like it didn’t want to be on the track.
It was better suited to boulevard cruising, perhaps with the top down.
But the new 2016 V-6 was a hoot, a car I’d happily drive around a track all day long.