Earlier this week we shared you the surprising sales performance of the aging Dodge Challenger versus the revised Chevrolet Camaro. The Chevy muscle car, forever trying to hold on its own against big rival the Ford Mustang, now has to face the ignominy of being outsold by a Challenger that has remained virtually unchanged for more than a decade.
Despite being updated for 2018, the Camaro has struggled to win over consumers at the rate Chevrolet hoped.
Perhaps it’s no surprise then to see that the SS version of the Camaro is getting some significant tweaks for 2020, after having been updated last year to differentiate it from other variants of the model.
The design changes being brought to the Camaro SS for 2020 grow out of the model that was presented at the most recent SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show. The Chevrolet badge has been moves and the top and bottom portions of the grille are separated by a body-coloured strip.
Chevrolet is also adding a new variant to the product offering, equipped with a V8 LT1 engine. Another change involves a new 10-speed transmission available with the 3.6L V6 versions of the model.
“These updates to our offering mean we have a Camaro available for every type of buyer. From the base model that’s affordable and fun to drive, to the SS performance model for the racing enthusiast, all the way up to the fully loaded ZL1 for the track warrior.”
- Laura Pacey, brand director for Chevrolet in Canada
The new LT1 variant combines the content and design of the Camaro LT (1LT trim) and the SS, and it’S powered by the manufacturer’s 6.2L (LT1) V8 engine that delivers 455 hp. It also becomes the most affordable model with a V8 in the Camaro lineup.
The Camaro Lt1 can be had as a hardtop coupe or in convertible format. The default transmission is a manual gearbox and the 10-speed automatic is an option.
Otherwise, the model sports the styling of the LT variant, though it integrates the hood of the SS version and rides on that edition’s 20-inch wheels.
Buyers will also be able to bring a number of improvements to their purchase, starting with new colours, unique wheels, red seatbelts and Recaro seats.
All of this means that the 2020 Camaro product offering is vaster and more varied, and highly customizable.
Now we’ll have to see how consumers, so lukewarm toward the 2019 edition, will react.
The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro will be arriving at dealerships in the fall.
