Sports Cars

Chevrolet Camaro Leaves In 2023, But the Nameplate Continues

The current sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro retires: the 2024 model year is its last. Nevertheless, the carmaker says this is not the final chapter for the nameplate.

The Chevrolet Camaro departs from the market after the 2024 model year. Recent reports say the final Camaro has already rolled off the assembly line this month. It was an example of the ZL1 Coupe in Summit White paint, with GM’s 6-speed manual transmission and a ZL1 1LE Extreme Track Performance Package.

This year, Chevrolet has added the Collector’s Edition package (in the upper photo) on the 2024 Camaro RS and SS, and on a limited number of ZL1-equipped Camaros in North America – at parting, so to speak, and to pay homage to the outstanding car.

The Camaro will obviously continue its career in motorsport as a race car, while its road version will get a successor in 2026 or 2027 – a battery-electric vehicle, not a 2-door coupe, but a sedan or SUV on GM’s modular Ultium EV architecture, and, perhaps, under a separate Camaro subbrand. That is, the Camaro will transform into something new, and the “Camaro” nameplate will go on.

Now, let’s make a short excursion into the history of the glorious model.

Origin

A midsize Chevrolet Camaro is classified as a pony car in the American car classification. The first model went on sale in September 1966 for the 1967 model year to be a competitor to the Ford Mustang, as you might guess. The architecture and main components carried over from the Pontiac Firebird.

After 4 distinct generations, Chevrolet ended the Camaro’s production in 2002 to revive the nameplate on a concept car in 14 years. That concept evolved into the 5th-generation Camaro that rolled off the assembly line in March 2009 as the 2010 model.

1st-generation Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Camaro Mk1

Sixth Generation (2016-2024): lighter, faster, better-equipped

The current Chevy Camaro was unveiled at Belle Isle Park in Detroit. Its launch preceded the model’s 50th anniversary.

The pony car sits on General Motors’ Alpha platform shared with the Cadillac ATS, but, at the same time, 70 percent of its components are unique and shared with no other current GM product.

For the first time, the automaker offers track-focused 1LE packages for the Camaro’s all trim levels. GM’s Magnetic Ride Control technology (MagneRide) becomes available on the SS version.

Engines: a 2.0-liter 275-hp turbocharged inline-4, a 3.6-liter 335-hp V6, a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 with 455 hp for the Camaro SS, and a supercharged LT4 V8 with 650 horsepower for the ZL1 model.

Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic, and 10-speed automatic as an option since 2017. The availability of the 10-speed automatic transmission made the 2017 Camaro ZL1 a unique car in its form.

Chevrolet Camaro vs Ford Mustang

These two are rivals for the ages. The all-new 2024 Ford Mustang debuted in September 2022 to go on with the iconic model’s life, while the 2024 Camaro is the last goodbye in the form we get used to.

The Mustang’s base engine, a 2.3-liter Ecoboost turbo-four with 315 hp and 350 lb-ft, is closer in performance to the Camaro’s 3.6-liter V6 producing 335 horsepower. If we compare V8s, we’ll see that Ford’s optional 5.0-liter V8 ranges from 480 to 500 hp, while the Camaro’s 6.2L V8 delivers 445 hp and 445 pound-feet. Well, there is a parity here, more or less.

However, Ford offers no rivals to the Camaro’s 650-hp supercharged ZL1 variant, and, in addition, has a wider variety of powertrain combinations.

When it comes to interiors, the 2024 Mustang benefits from changes for the new generation (bigger screens, newer features). The Chevrolet Camaro’s cabin looks outdated compared to the Ford’s.

The base 2024 Ford Mustang costs $30,920 (fastback) and $39,020 (convertible). The 2024 Camaro’s starting MSRP is $32,495 for a coupe and $38,495 for a convertible.

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