[natmad]

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

I understand your rational but I disagree. The Z06 is no longer a focused track car. It's more of a grand touring car. Putting a blown small block, auto Trans and convertible model show a shift of priorities.

Not disagreeing with your opinion outright, because the new Z06 can be "grand toured". We are not accustomed to a focused track car having a nice interior and actually riding decently, in comfort mode, as the new Z06 does.

However, considering almost every performance category, including road course lap times, the new Z06 is going to match or surpass almost any car in the world, except for crazy expensive HYBRIDS with AUTOMATICS like the LaFerrari, Porsche 918, and the McClaren whatever.

From now on, track focused doesn't necessarily mean rides like crap with a cheap interior!

But, your point is well taken.

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

Oh, no doubt the Alpha platform should spawn a superb performance car. I'll bet the 6th gen SS handles as well as the current 1LE.

It would be nice but I don't see them taking handling that far for the base SS. It would be earth shattering for the entry level V8 to corner steady over 1G on tires that won't go as far performance wise as the F1 supercars. It can be done but I would really be surprised.

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

Oh, no doubt the Alpha platform should spawn a superb performance car. I'll bet the 6th gen SS handles as well as the current 1LE.

Originally Posted by PYROLYSIS

It would be nice but I don't see them taking handling that far for the base SS. It would be earth shattering for the entry level V8 to corner steady over 1G on tires that won't go as far performance wise as the F1 supercars. It can be done but I would really be surprised.

I agree. I don't see the 6th gen regular SS equaling the current 1LE in the handling/track department. The current SS really isn't a bad handler like some would like to think it is. The 2012 model was a nice leap forward in that department. That said, I would suspect the 6th gen to feel lighter on its feet, and should equal or surpass the current SS for sure, just not the 1LE.

I DO think they should make a track pack available for the Camaro from day one, like how Mustang offers the PP for the GT, and it SHOULD match the 1LE or better it. I think it would be a mistake to wait a year or two to offer a good handling package, but wouldn't surprise me if they did.

[natmad]

So many good points above...

The CA6 SS should be considerably more balanced (less understeer) than the CA5 SS, due to the new chassis and better suspension tuning. The new SS will still need to have a good ride to sell to the masses, so this should keep it from handling as well as the current 1LE, especially with tires better suited to four seasons.

I expect the new 1LE will, obviously, have a stiffer and well damped suspension as it does now. I think, for the new 1LE, GM may go with a very high performance tire, but not quite as extreme as the current 1LE tire for better cold weather capability... and I think the new 1LE's performance will still be better than the current 1LE, due to lighter weight and more power and a thoroughly tuned chassis. I hope they go with a true square tire/wheel setup for easy rotation.

Give me a Silver 2016 SS 1LE, 1SS, Recaros, upgrade stereo, @ 440 HP/435 TQ, a full tank of gas, and I'll be happy! Right, forgot, NPP a must!

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by natmad

So many good points above...

The CA6 SS should be considerably more balanced (less understeer) than the CA5 SS, due to the new chassis and better suspension tuning. The new SS will still need to have a good ride to sell to the masses, so this should keep it from handling as well as the current 1LE, especially with tires better suited to four seasons.

I expect the new 1LE will, obviously, have a stiffer and well damped suspension as it does now. I think, for the new 1LE, GM may go with a very high performance tire, but not quite as extreme as the current 1LE tire for better cold weather capability... and I think the new 1LE's performance will still be better than the current 1LE, due to lighter weight and more power and a thoroughly tuned chassis. I hope they go with a true square tire/wheel setup for easy rotation.

Give me a Silver 2016 SS 1LE, 1SS, Recaros, upgrade stereo, @ 440 HP/435 TQ, a full tank of gas, and I'll be happy!

That would be a great Camaro. Don't forget the NPP exhaust.

[AZCamaroFan]

Originally Posted by natmad

However, considering almost every performance category, including road course lap times, the new Z06 is going to match or surpass almost any car in the world, except for crazy expensive HYBRIDS with AUTOMATICS like the LaFerrari, Porsche 918, and the McClaren whatever.

From now on, track focused doesn't necessarily mean rides like crap with a cheap interior!

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

I DO think they should make a track pack available for the Camaro from day one, like how Mustang offers the PP for the GT, and it SHOULD match the 1LE or better it. I think it would be a mistake to wait a year or two to offer a good handling package, but wouldn't surprise me if they did.

I totally agree, and the handling package should be available for every version from the base car on up (as it is with Mustang).

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

I agree. I don't see the 6th gen regular SS equaling the current 1LE in the handling/track department. The current SS really isn't a bad handler like some would like to think it is. The 2012 model was a nice leap forward in that department. That said, I would suspect the 6th gen to feel lighter on its feet, and should equal or surpass the current SS for sure, just not the 1LE.

I DO think they should make a track pack available for the Camaro from day one, like how Mustang offers the PP for the GT, and it SHOULD match the 1LE or better it. I think it would be a mistake to wait a year or two to offer a good handling package, but wouldn't surprise me if they did.

What I see is the Gen 6 SS being "nearly" equal to the Gen 5 SS 1LE. And I then expect the unknown battle to be whether or not there is a Gen 6 1LE OR Z/28 or a Gen 6 1LE AND a Z/28. In either case, there will be something in the Gen 6 that puts a Gen 5 1LE in the weeds.

There haven't been many magazines that have had many kind things to say about the base SS handling and I think the Alpha architecture brings much more than light weight. Think of the M3/M4 that the ATS V will be competing against. That bones are there and I believe they will use them wisely.

[AZCamaroFan]

none of the magazine's have bothered to test a regular SS since 2011. :( i think 2012 they made some change's though.

[Z/284ever]

Originally Posted by Number 3

What I see is the Gen 6 SS being "nearly" equal to the Gen 5 SS 1LE. And I then expect the unknown battle to be whether or not there is a Gen 6 1LE OR Z/28 or a Gen 6 1LE AND a Z/28. In either case, there will be something in the Gen 6 that puts a Gen 5 1LE in the weeds.

There haven't been many magazines that have had many kind things to say about the base SS handling and I think the Alpha architecture brings much more than light weight. Think of the M3/M4 that the ATS V will be competing against. That bones are there and I believe they will use them wisely.

I see it the same way. The base SS should realistically run with the current 1LE, (at least compete with it) or certainly what we've seen from the Mustang GT PP. Which brings up the question: do you really need a 1LE at that point or do you go straight to a Z/28?

Anyone who's spent some time in an ATS can tell you that Alpha will raise the Camaro bar dramatically.


BTW, the 1LE and FE4 are total reactions by GM to the bad reviews the SS got early on compared to the Mustang TP. I predict no such scenario will occur with the 6th gen.