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2016 Camaro

All-new Alpha platform

Lighter and sharper, with a turbo four and the most powerful SS yet.

Edited by Bill Pierce. Reviewed October 2026.

Gray 2017 Camaro 2SS 50th Anniversary
2017 Camaro 2SS 50th Anniversary Edition Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The sixth generation was all new, on GM's Alpha platform, and significantly lighter than the Zeta car it replaced. It launched with three new engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four at 275 hp, a 3.6-liter V6 at 335 hp, and in the SS the C7 Corvette's 6.2-liter LT1 at 455 hp.

V6 and V8 coupes reached dealers first. The turbo-four cars and the convertibles followed in the first quarter of 2016. US sales in calendar 2016 reached 72,705.

Dark grey 2016 Camaro RS convertible carrying a parade passenger
Dark grey 2016 Camaro RS convertible carrying a parade passenger, front three-quarter and side view, in a downtown street parade Photo: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License

Did you know

  • Motor Trend named the sixth-generation Camaro its 2016 Car of the Year in November 2015, ahead of the Audi TT, BMW 7 Series, Honda Civic, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mercedes-AMG GT S and Toyota Mirai. Editor-in-chief Edward Loh called it "one of the finest driving vehicles in the world at any price" that still sat within reach of the average buyer.
  • Car and Driver's December 2015 comparison test gave the win to the new Camaro SS over the 2015 Mustang GT with the Performance Pack, 207 points to 205. The Chevy ran 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and the quarter-mile in 12.3 at 116 mph against the Ford's 4.4 and 13.0 at 112, and stopped from 70 mph in 147 feet to the Ford's 157; the Mustang took the 100-point cabin-and-price section, 82 to 74, and cost $4,410 less as tested ($43,070 against $47,480).
  • Chevrolet said only two parts carried over from the fifth-generation Camaro to the 2016 car: the bowtie emblem on the taillamp panel and the SS badge. More than 70 percent of the components were unique to the new car, including exterior and interior dimensions, the interior, both suspensions and the powertrain parts.
  • Roger Penske drove a Camaro SS as the pace car for the 100th Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 2016, the ninth time a Camaro led the field and the 27th for Chevrolet. Four identically prepared cars, previewing the 2017 SS 50th Anniversary Edition in Abalone White with orange accents, needed no performance modifications to carry the 455-hp LT1.
  • For the sixth generation Chevrolet moved Camaro assembly from Oshawa, Ontario, where the fifth-generation car was built, to Lansing Grand River in Michigan. The move, reported in December 2012, let GM consolidate rear-drive production with the Cadillac ATS and CTS; in May 2015 GM put $175 million into Lansing tooling (three new Camaro-specific paint systems and two robotic framers) and called back 500 workers for a second shift.
  • The 2016 Camaro launched at $26,695 for the 1LT, which Chevrolet noted was less than the 2015 model, and $37,295 for the 1SS, both including $995 destination. Chevrolet planned to have V6 and V8 coupes at dealers by the end of 2015, and added that nearly two-thirds of fifth-generation SS buyers had picked the top 2SS trim.
  • Where Alpha found its weight savings: the body-in-white came out 133 pounds lighter and 28 percent stiffer, the suspension lost 26 pounds, and an aluminum instrument-panel beam replaced a steel one.
  • Chevrolet billed the 2016 convertible as the only one in its segment with a fully automatic top that could open or close at up to 30 mph, drop from the key fob and tuck under an automatically deploying hard tonneau. In 1967, by contrast, a power top was a $52.70 option chosen by 47 percent of buyers.
Blue 2016 Camaro RS coupe
Blue 2016 Camaro RS coupe, front three-quarter view, on a stand at an indoor auto show Photo: Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License

Production

One production figure is listed for 2016: US sales (calendar year), 72,705.

Record Count Note
US sales (calendar year) 72,705 Calendar-year US sales, not model-year production
Blue 2016 Camaro coupe with white hood stripes
Blue 2016 Camaro coupe with white hood stripes, front three-quarter view, on a turntable at a motor show Photo: Ghoster, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License
Silver 2016 Camaro convertible show car with red interior and black red-striped wheels
Silver 2016 Camaro convertible show car with red interior and black red-striped wheels, driver door open, side and rear three-quarter view, on an auto show stand Photo: Yahya S., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License
Blue 2016 Camaro coupe
Blue 2016 Camaro coupe, side and front three-quarter view, on a Chevrolet stand at an indoor auto show Photo: Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License
Blue 2016 Camaro coupe with white hood stripes
Blue 2016 Camaro coupe with white hood stripes, side profile from the front-left, on a turntable at a motor show Photo: Norbert Aepli, Switzerland (User:Noebu), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License

Engines

The 2016 table lists three engines: the 2.0 L turbocharged inline-4 (LTG), the 3.6 L V6 (LGX) and the 6.2 L V8 (LT1). The highest power rating shown is 455 hp, for the 6.2 L V8 (LT1).

Code Engine Power Torque Note
X 2.0 L turbocharged inline-4 (LTG) 275 hp at 5,500 rpm 295 lb-ft at 3,000–4,500 rpm 1LT, 2LT standard; late availability (July 17, 2015 order guide); peak RPM as printed in this model-year US brochure
S 3.6 L V6 (LGX) 335 hp at 6,800 rpm 284 lb-ft at 5,300 rpm 1LT, 2LT optional (July 17, 2015 order guide)
7 6.2 L V8 (LT1) 455 hp at 6,000 rpm 455 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm SS

Options, packages and special editions

The 2016 list has two options, packages and special editions.

Description Note
RS package
SS — 6.2 L LT1 No ZL1 or 1LE this year
Blue 2016 Camaro SS coupe
Blue 2016 Camaro SS coupe, close front three-quarter view, at a dealership forecourt by a street Photo: RL GNZLZ, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License
White 2016 Camaro SS coupe with black wheels and fender hash graphics
White 2016 Camaro SS coupe with black wheels and fender hash graphics, front three-quarter view, parked on a residential street Photo: Noah Wulf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License
Silver 2016 Camaro SS convertible with red intake accents
Silver 2016 Camaro SS convertible with red intake accents, low front view, on an auto show stand Photo: Yahya S., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License
Yellow 2016 Camaro SS coupe with black hood stripe
Yellow 2016 Camaro SS coupe with black hood stripe, front view with heavy tilt-shift background blur, at a cars-and-coffee meet Photo: HRYMX, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License
Black 2016 Camaro RS coupe
Black 2016 Camaro RS coupe, rear view close-up, parked in a crowded lot Photo: Ominae, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred Original photograph License
Red 2016 Camaro SS coupe
Red 2016 Camaro SS coupe, front three-quarter view with headlamp glare, at an indoor auto show Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph
Yellow 2016 Camaro SS convertible with top down and black hood stripes
Yellow 2016 Camaro SS convertible with top down and black hood stripes, side and front three-quarter view, at an indoor auto show Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph
White 2016 Camaro SS coupe with red grille accents and fender hash stripes
White 2016 Camaro SS coupe with red grille accents and fender hash stripes, front three-quarter view, on a residential street Photo: Noah Wulf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; street numbers blurred Original photograph License
Orange-red 2016 Camaro SS coupe
Orange-red 2016 Camaro SS coupe, front view with the nose tightly framed, surrounded by visitors at an auto show Photo: Yahya S., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License
Red 2016 Camaro SS coupe with a striped vented hood propped open and black wheels
Red 2016 Camaro SS coupe with a striped vented hood propped open and black wheels, side and rear three-quarter view, at an indoor custom car show Photo: Yahya S., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License

Exterior colors

This table has 10 exterior colors for 2016, each with its paint code. They include Silver Ice Metallic, Black and Summit White.

Code Color Note
GAN Silver Ice Metallic
GBA Black
GAZ Summit White
G1M Blue Velvet Metallic Not available with Adrenaline Red interior
G7C Red Hot
G7D Bright Yellow Extra cost; not available with Adrenaline Red or Kalahari interiors
G7E Garnet Red Tintcoat Extra cost
G7Q Nightfall Gray Metallic
GB8 Mosaic Black Metallic Extra cost
GD1 Hyper Blue Metallic Not available with Adrenaline Red interior
Silver 2016 Camaro convertible with red fender graphic and black red-striped wheels
Silver 2016 Camaro convertible with red fender graphic and black red-striped wheels, front three-quarter view, on an auto show stand Photo: Yahya S., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License
Black 2016 Camaro coupe
Black 2016 Camaro coupe, front three-quarter view, parked on a dirt road in the desert at sunset with Ship Rock behind Photo: Janusz Sobolewski, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License
Red 2016 Camaro SS coupe
Red 2016 Camaro SS coupe, front view close-up, on an auto-show stand with onlookers Photo: Paulo Guereta, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph License
White 2016 Camaro coupe with black roof and deck stripes and smoked tail lamps
White 2016 Camaro coupe with black roof and deck stripes and smoked tail lamps, rear three-quarter view, in a parking lot Photo: Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred Original photograph License

Interior trim

This table has seven interior trims for 2016.

The seven fabric/color combinations follow Chevrolet's 2016 US brochure and its trim-level/package footnotes. Upholstery ordering codes are not printed in that chart and remain unknown. Adrenaline Red is not available with Bright Yellow, Hyper Blue Metallic or Blue Velvet Metallic exterior colors; Kalahari is not available with Bright Yellow. These are 2016 restrictions, not a cross-year compatibility rule.

Trim Note
Jet Black cloth Standard 1LT and 1SS seating
Medium Ash Gray cloth Standard 1LT and 1SS seating
Jet Black leather appointments Standard 2LT and 2SS seating
Medium Ash Gray leather appointments Standard 2LT and 2SS seating
Kalahari leather appointments Standard 2LT and 2SS seating
Black with Ceramic White leather appointments Extra-cost color; available on 2LT and 2SS with the Ceramic White Interior Accent Trim Package. Requires Convenience and Lighting Package on 2LT.
Black with Adrenaline Red leather appointments Extra-cost color; available on 2LT and 2SS with the Adrenaline Red Interior Accent Trim Package. Requires Convenience and Lighting Package on 2LT.

Specifications

This table gives 15 specifications for 2016, among them wheelbase (110.7 in) and overall length (188.3 in).

Item Value Note
Wheelbase 110.7 in
Overall length 188.3 in
Overall width 74.7 in
Overall height 53.1 in
Track, front / rear 62.5 / 63.7 in (LT) · 63.0 / 62.9 in (SS)
Transmissions Tremec six-speed manual (Active Rev Match on SS); Hydra-Matic eight-speed automatic
Final drive 3.27 (2.0 L and 3.6 L manual; 2.0 L automatic) · 2.77 (3.6 L automatic, SS automatic) · 3.73 (SS manual)
Colors and trims 10 exterior colors and five interior color combinations at launch GM figures
Awards Motor Trend Car of the Year; Car and Driver 10Best
Assembly Lansing Grand River, Michigan
Performance, 2.0 L turbo 0–60 mph 5.4 s; quarter mile 14.0 s; 0.85 g; 149 mph GM brochure figures, coupe
Performance, 3.6 L V6 0–60 mph 5.1 s; quarter mile 13.5 s; 0.89 g; 149 mph GM brochure figures, coupe
Performance, SS 0–60 mph 4.0 s; quarter mile 12.3 s; 0.97 g; 180 mph GM brochure figures, coupe
Curb weight, brochure figures 3,339 lb 2.0 L LT · 3,455 lb V6 LT · 3,685 lb SS With available 8-speed automatic, as printed in the 2016 US brochure. This table does not establish a complete body-style/transmission weight matrix or later-year weights.
Platform GM Alpha (rear-drive)
Red 2016 Camaro coupe
Red 2016 Camaro coupe, elevated side and front three-quarter view, parked in a tiled home carport Photo: Jose Elias Muñoz Noe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License
Black 2016 Camaro coupe
Black 2016 Camaro coupe, side profile, parked on a street in front of an adobe building at dusk Photo: Janusz Sobolewski, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License
Green 2016 Camaro coupe with black rear panel and quad exhausts
Green 2016 Camaro coupe with black rear panel and quad exhausts, rear view, at a crowded indoor car show Photo: Yahya S., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred Original photograph License

Identification

What to check on a 2016 Camaro: VIN and year cues.

Item What to look for Note
VIN 1G1 … position 8 engine code, position 10 = G Built at Lansing Grand River, Michigan
Year cues All-new, smaller sixth-generation body No ZL1 until 2017
Close-up of the tail lamp and decklid on a green 2016 Camaro at an indoor show
Close-up of the tail lamp and decklid on a green 2016 Camaro at an indoor show Photo: Yahya S., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License

Decode a specific car with the VIN decoder and the engine and drivetrain stamp decoder.

Why it matters

The Camaro moved to a lighter platform shared with Cadillac and got its first turbocharged engine.

Yellow 2016 Camaro coupe
Yellow 2016 Camaro coupe, rear view, in a shopping-centre parking lot Photo: Syntaxlord, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred Original photograph License
Blue 2016 Camaro SS coupe
Blue 2016 Camaro SS coupe, close front view, under dark auto-show lighting Photo: Paulo Guereta, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License
Blue 2016 Camaro SS convertible with top up
Blue 2016 Camaro SS convertible with top up, front three-quarter view, on an auto-show stand Photo: Paulo Guereta, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License

From Iron Duke to Ecotec

The last four-cylinder Camaro before this one was the reviled 90 hp Iron Duke of the early 1980s (see the 1982 model year). The 2.0-liter LTG turbo made more than triple that, and Chevrolet sold it as a real performance choice rather than a fuel-economy penalty box.

The Alpha Platform

The sixth generation moved to GM's Alpha architecture, shared with the Cadillac ATS and CTS. Chevrolet's brochure said the new structure cut at least 200 pounds compared with the fifth-generation car. The suspension was 21 percent lighter, using aluminum parts to reduce unsprung weight, and the chassis was 28 percent stiffer. Electric power steering, up to four selectable drive modes, and a smaller, tighter body made the car feel more nimble. Corvette engineer John Heinricy was among those who pushed to make Alpha work for the Camaro. The supercharged ZL1 followed a year later, for 2017.

Three new engines

Chevrolet revealed the car on May 16, 2015, with three all-new engines. The Ecotec 2.0-liter was the first turbocharged engine ever offered in a Camaro. It made 275 hp and 295 lb-ft from a twin-scroll turbo running up to 20 pounds of boost. GM estimated it would reach 60 mph in under six seconds and top 30 mpg on the highway, making it the most fuel-efficient Camaro ever. The new 3.6-liter V6, built at Romulus, Michigan, made 335 hp, which Chevrolet said was the highest specific output of any naturally aspirated V6 in the segment.

The SS got the 6.2-liter LT1 V8 at 455 hp and 455 lb-ft, the most powerful Camaro SS yet. It was the third time the LT1 name had appeared on a Camaro small block, after the 1970–72 Z28 and the 1993–97 Z28 and 1996–97 SS. About a fifth of its parts were specific to the Camaro, including tubular "tri-Y" exhaust manifolds. Automatic V6 and V8 cars used Active Fuel Management to shut down cylinders under light load. New eight-speed automatics joined the six-speed manuals, and the SS's Tremec gained Active Rev Match, which blipped the throttle on downshifts. Magnetic Ride Control and auxiliary coolers for the engine, transmission and differential were available on the SS.

Sources