Everyone knows a Camaro when they see it. It’s mean, bold, and just sounds powerful. It’s a true American pony car that has remained relevant for decades. The 2020 Chevy Camaro marks the fifth model year of the sixth-generation Camaro, and it is dressed to impress, as always.
You may know the Camaro for turning into a giant cybertronic robot in Transformers or, more likely, from its reputation for being a powerful and nimble beast on the roads. Regardless of your experience with the vehicle, it has been around for over half a century, and 2017 marked its 50th anniversary. But the 2020 Chevy Camaro is not simply an echo of past accomplishments – it holds its own against the long line of ancestors.
Overview
With its combination of agility and power, the 2020 Chevy Camaro is part of a long line of iconic vehicles produced by Chevrolet. The MSRP for the 2020 model ranges from $25,000 for the base trim to $37,000 for the iconic Camaro SS. But with the new LT1 trim, the 2020 Camaro now has a more affordable V8 option than in previous iterations.
As with all Camaro’s, you should be interested in how it appears as well as how it performs. Aesthetically, the 2020 Camaro follows its sixth generational roots with the larger grille and sleeker design than the fifth generation. While some prefer the fifth generation for its boldness, enthusiasts of the modern, agile look will appreciate the small adjustments to its overall appearance. It seems that Chevy made this decision to catch the attention of the younger generation of drivers, who are more accustomed to the sleek look that many competitors of the Camaro are now sporting.
History of the Chevy Camaro
Car history buffs, this one is for you. If you are interested in cars at all, prepare yourself for the story of how the Chevy Camaro was born and raised. It was created for one purpose and one purpose alone; to obliterate the Ford Mustang! Way back in 1964, Ford produced a brand new breed of vehicles, the pony car, when it first released the Mustang. This development caught Chevy by surprise, and they set out to make a car that would dominate the new category as well.
That very same year, Chevy initiated the “Panther” project to develop a Mustang competitor. Later, the model name was changed to the Camaro for reasons that are unknown to this day. It was a car made with a purpose just as grandiose as it’s image – to be the best and dominate the competition.
At the time of its creation, the Chevy Camaro was not able to surpass Mustang sales. This was mostly due to the fact that Ford purposefully released an updating Mustang model with a more powerful engine to entice new buyers away from Chevrolet. The Chevy Camaro was much more popular in its second generation, partially due to its enhanced capabilities, but mostly because of its redesigned aesthetic, which was more bold and different than other models in its era. This began an upwards trend of the popularity of Camaros going forward.
The Camaro’s second generation was a great success, winning many awards while the 11-year generational run ran its course. Each iteration of the Camaro going forward was a trendsetter for the decade. You can look back at the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s Chevy Camaro and instantly get a feeling of nostalgia for the time period.
In the late 1990’s, Chevy began working on making the vehicle more nimble. In 1998, the first all-aluminum engine since 1969 was placed into the model, sparking its reputation for being both a lightweight and powerful car. But in 2002, shortly after the turn of the century, new Camaro production ceased. After an eight-year hiatus, the Camaro returned with its fifth generation with a massive overhaul that increased its performance and dramatically modernized its appearance. That brings us to today and the sixth-generation Camaro.
Power and Performance
As always, we are graced with the coupe and convertible configurations for the 2020 Chevy Camaro, with multiple trims. Under the hood, you will notice two standard engines: one being a 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder and the other being a 6.2L V8 DI engine. The 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engine runs at 275 hp, with 295 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2L V8 DI engine produces an impressive 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque. The LT1 and SS trims are graced with the beastly 6.2L V8 DI engine while the LS and LT other trims are given the alternative. Don’t fear, though! Upgraded engines will be discussed shortly.
However, the 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engine can be swapped for a 3.6L V6 engine to pump out 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque. And the top trim Camaro ZL1 has a supercharged V8 with no less than 650 hp and 650 lb-ft. In the power and handling department, the 1LT and 2LT trims are able to have a performance suspension, which entails dampers, rear cradle mounts, ball-jointed rear toe links, and stabilizer bars being added to the trim. Another noteworthy upgrade for the audio-fanatics would be the dual-mode exhaust, available as an upgrade to all trims, that produce an aggressive exhaust sound with 4” polished stainless-steel tips.
On top of its powerful engines and possible upgrades, the 2020 Chevy Camaro is well-equipped for performance. Air curtains are placed on the sides of the front to increase the aerodynamics of the car, as well as a large front spoiler to give more downforce and scoop air into the radiator. The 2020 Chevy Camaro also includes a driver selector mode to account for different driving conditions, including Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and Track modes. This system adjusts up to eight different settings to adjust for various driving conditions and driving styles.
Upscale Features
Chevy allows for some interesting upscale features to enhance the Camaro experience. Although safety features may not be as flashy as performance metrics, the 2020 Camaro does not slack in terms of security. It includes a multitude of security features with the base model: StabiliTrak (which is an electronic stability control system with traction control), a teen driver mode to assist young drivers and encourage better driving behavior, and a tire pressure monitoring system so that you don’t find yourself with an unexpected flat tire.
In regards to the interior, Chevy has been kind enough to grace us with a spattering of quality of life features in the standard package. This includes remote, keyless access and start, as well as a rear vision camera and a cloth seat trim. Additional quality of life features include capless fuel fill so that you can spend less time at the pump. The 2020 Chevy Camaro also has the battery rundown protection feature in its standard package, which ensures all unnecessary interior lamps are turned off after you turn off the vehicle. Body-color power outside mirrors are standard as well, which should provoke a breath of relief for those of us who are aggravated by beautiful cars being ruined by off-color accessories.
Conclusion
The 2020 Chevy Camaro is the latest edition of an iconic model that is the embodiment of American ingenuity and competition. Not only is it impressive to see on the road, but it is incredible in the performance category as well. Powerful, nimble, and bold are three accurate words to describe the 2020 Chevy Camaro.
From pop culture to performance recognition, the Camaro is responsible for many memories and changes to driver’s expectations of performance vehicles. It was the first of its kind to conquer the Mustang’s market. The Chevy Camaro means much more than just another car to gaze at; it is an icon, and we should all appreciate being able to see it on the road to this day.
