Strong Fundamentals
For 2012, Chevy Beefs-Up the Base Camaro
by Hib Halverson, Content Director

For the last month or so, the buzz in the Camaro Nation has been the 2012 ZL-1 and its supercharged 550+ horsepower, LSA V8.

It's taken more than just an ultimate performance model to make the Fifth Generation Camaro the success it has become. Chevrolet's emphasis on strong fundamentals–the Camaro LS and LT models–is the main reason the brand currently outsells the Ford Mustang.

It still surprises some Camaro enthusiasts that LTs and LSes with V6es are the top selling models. Actually–that's, like...really old news. Sales leading V6es go way back to the Second Generation and the 1977 model year when their sales surpassed those of V8s. Market penetration of V6 Camaros grew steadily until the Fourth Generation ('93-'02 platform) period when it averaged 62.4%. With the Fifth Generation, LT/LS sales have run in the high 50th percentile with, according to Dave Caldwell, Chevrolet Communication's spokesperson for all things Camaro, the latest figure, for March of 2011, being an even 60%.

Many of us crave SSes and ZL1s and they're what gets most of the ink but, clearly, it's the LTs and LSes which are the foundation of the Camaro brand. As gas prices continue to rise, as they are sure to do with the dollar's decreasing value and inflation starting to rear its ugly head, V6 sales will grow. As those sales grow, the success of the LT and LS3es will increasingly impact the longevity of the brand as a whole. That is–without strong fundamentals, overall sales of the Camaro wouldn't be enough to support halo products with 550-hp supercharged engines. Bottom line: Chevy needs to keep all its V6 Camaro "ducks in a row."

New Engine

Intending to do just that, on April 13th, Chevrolet announced that a new, more powerful, more efficient version of the 3.6L direct-injected V-6 will be standard in the 2012 Camaro LT and LS models. It puts out 323-hp at 6,800 rpm, SAE-certified. That's 11 more horsepower, 400 rpm higher than the V6 used in the '10s and '11s. Not only does the new V6 make more power and rev higher, it's also 20.5 pounds lighter which further enhances efficiency and driving dynamics. There is more about this new V6 in a separate article here on the Camaro Homepage.

45 Anniversary Edition

In a 45th car's interior, you'll get Jet Black trim, leather-trimmed seats and white inserts on the dashboard and door panels. An added accent is red, white and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob/boot, door armrests and console lid. There will be no questions from your passengers as to what kind of special Camaro you own because the 45th logo will be everywhere they look–on the seats, the instrument panel, door panel inserts, the steering wheel and the sill plates.

Interior, exterior and technology updates

The 2012 Camaro has appearance, ergonomic and technology upgrades for all trim levels. Inside there will be revised instrument graphics and trim, a power lift feature for the front passenger seat and a new steering wheel design which features a new look and ergonomic improvements intended to better support performance driving.

On the exterior, a new rear spoiler will be standard on all Camaros. The tail lamps which had been a part of the RS appearance package option in 2010 and 2011, become standard in 2012. Additionally, a new, body-color “shark fin” antenna is added to the RS package. Finally, "Crystal Red Tintcoat" replaces Red Jewel as an exterior color.

Also new on Camaro in 2012 is a "Rear Vision Package", which adds a rearview camera system and an auto-dimming mirror to the existing Rear Park Assist feature. The rearview camera system complements the rear parking assist by providing a video image of the area behind the car, with the display in the car’s inside rearview mirror.

SS Coupes get revised suspension

The new FE4 suspension debuts as a performance improvement for the Camaro SS coupe in 2012. It offers more refined handling. “Our objective was to create a more precise sport suspension for the SS coupe, with greater road-holding capability,” Al Oppenheiser, Camaro Chief Engineer told the Camaro Homepage. ”We applied lessons learned from extensive track testing to refine the suspension geometry for flatter cornering, a more neutral balance during hard turns, and minimized understeer at the limit.”

Elements of the FE4 package include: retuned front and rear dampers, new solid front (23 mm) and rear (24 mm) stabilizer bars, 20-inch aluminum wheels and P245/45R20 front/P275/40R20 rear tires.

More than just new components, FE4 incorporates learning from the ongoing development of the ZL1. In particular, the suspension alignment specifications have been adjusted for increased handing and the stabilizer bars have been reshaped such that their end links are repositioned outboard of the shock mounts. SS Coupe drivers will feel more effective body control and more precise response in performance driving.