The
2016 Chevrolet Camaro was introduced late last month, and buyers are already salivating at the opportunity to own the new, improved and much-hyped muscle car (CamaroNews.com reports that order banks could open on August 13th, with production beginning about a week later).
The car could pass for its predecessor's twin (the 2016 model is 2.6 inches shorter, 0.8 inches narrower and 1.2 inches shorter than 2015), but the vehicle is markedly different in it's power, speed and efficiency.
However, the release is still two months away, and car buyers at
Chevy dealers in Lexington, KY would likely want to test their new muscle car prior to the conclusion of summer.
Naturally, the customer may be eying a similar high-performance automobile in the 2015 Ford Mustang. The two cars have competed since 1967 (barring an eight-year stretch when the Camaro was absent from the market), with Ford's car recently outselling Chevy's.
Like any two rivals, both rides are very similar, but slight differences put the 2016 Camaro slightly ahead.
Sure, an older model would certainly mean a lower price tag, and you could probably go to a Ford dealer and drive out of the lot in your new Mustang whenever you want. In this situation, however, patience would surely prove to be a virtue.
So why should buyers favor the 2016 Chevy Camaro over the 2015 Ford Mustang? Let's take a look…The 2016 Camaro is a Brand New Car, While the 2015 Mustang Will Soon Be Outdated
As previously mentioned, the Chevy Camaro is expected to be available by the end of August. The 2016 model isn't just an updated 2015 version; it's practically a redesigned sports sedan.
The new Camaro has been rebuilt from the ground up, as the 2016 version offers a new front end, new wheel designs, new headlights and taillights, and better aerodynamics, which vicariously improves the vehicle's performance, stability and cooling.
Of course, the 2015 Ford Mustang offered improvements to their design, but guess what? Those fancy changes will soon be a thing of the past. While a release date hasn't been reported, many expect the 2016 Mustang to be released late this year. This means the 2015 Mustang's reign as a "new car" is quickly coming to an end.
If you're focused on these particular details, you're likely looking to impress with your new car, so it's important to note that the Camaro seemingly appeals to everybody. About 40-percent of customers are females, and the average age of a sports coupe buyer is around 46-years-old.
Even children can appreciate the vehicle, as the Camaro was made more popular by a "Transformer" character, Bumblebee.
Unfortunately, the 2016 Camaro won't transform and help you fight off bad guys. Fortunately, it's capable of doing just about everything else.
Two of the three engines, including the V-8, offer more power
The 2016 Camaro will be the first of it's brand (since the 1980s) to include a four-cylinder engine.
The motor offers a 16-valve 2.0-liter turbo power, 275 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque. These estimates do trail the numbers on the 2015 Mustang's four-cylinder engine (2.3-liter turbo, 310 hp, 320 pounds-feet of torque), but the Camaro makes up for this with it's other powerful motors.
The reliable V-6 offers a 24-valve, 3.6-liter engine with 335 hp and 284 pounds-feet of torque, while the powerful V-8 offers a pushrod 6.2-liter engine, 455 hp and 455 pounds-feet of torque.
These numbers top the output of Mustang's similar motors, and the Camaro will also reportedly offer its cylinder cutoff system and active fuel management, which should result in over 30 miles-per-gallon on highways.
Speaking of fuel, the Camaro's eight-speed, automatic transmission is two gears higher than the Mustang's six-speed automatic transmission (both cars have identical six-speed manuals).
This, combined with the manufacturer's inclusion of the V-6 engine, should also help improve the muscle car's highway fuel economy. Considering muscle car owners are required to purchase premium gasoline, this gap in efficiency could be very important.
The Camaro is a Lighter Car, and Chevy Has Continually Worked to Improve the Car's Curb Weight
The 2016 Camaro weighs in at an estimated 3,519 pounds, while the 2015 Mustang's curb weight comes in at 3,524 pounds.
Sure, a difference of five pounds means very little when it comes to that much size, but consider this: half a decade ago, the Mustang had a much more favorable curb weight than it's rival.
Chevy has clearly focused on this discrepancy, as they've cut off at least 200 pounds from last year's model. This ultimately means a lighter, faster, more efficient car, which was confirmed in the Camaro's ability to jump from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds.
Meanwhile, the Mustang continues to add more bulk.
The Camaro Can Roar or Purr, and the Driver Can Determine How Much They Want to Hear
Yes, we get it. One of the incentives in owning a muscle car is the inclusion of a loud, roaring engine. For even the biggest car enthusiast, this sound can often get overbearing.
The Mustang offers some noise cancelling capabilities, but since the roar of the engine is connected to the car's sound system, a driver must compromise the outside noise for relief in the cabin.
The Camaro's 2.0-liter turbo models come with an active noise cancellation unit that will greatly reduce cabin noise without eliminating the outside roar. The optional Bose audio system can manipulate the engine sound, meaning the driver has full noise customization capabilities.
The Camaro Offers All of the Newest Technology
Who doesn't like the assorted bling that accompanies a new car model? The Camaro has top-of-the line technology, including an eight-inch touch-screen display sculpted into the dashboard.
Chevrolet MyLink offers drivers over 20 different sources of information, whether its satellite radio, a navigation system, or phone-calling capabilities. MyLink will even dictate your text messages for you, meaning you can devote your eyes and hands to zooming down the freeway.
However, we'll have to wait and see on the car's suspension
You didn't expect the Camaro to top the Mustang in every category, did you?
The Mustang's independent suspension has been recognized for it's incredible handling performance, and the drag coefficient on the 2015 car has improved about three-percent over previous models.
Of course, we're still unsure about the 2016 Camaro's suspension abilities, but we do know that the 2016 vehicle will offer the same four-wheel disc brakes as it's competitor.
As you can see, the 2016 Chevy Camaro is just an overall better car than it's direct competitor, the 2015 Ford Mustang.
This isn't to discount the Mustang. The car has been a hit, as the Mustang's sales are up 60-percent in 2015, and the brand just recently overtook the Camaro for the sales lead.
However, the Camaro had outsold it's competitor for the previous five years, and Chevy is hoping the car's new improvements bring it back to the top.
You'll have to wait a couple of months, but if you're debating between the two vehicles, why not go with the newer, lighter, more powerful car?
If I couldn't convince you, I'm sure Dan Cummins Chevrolets in Paris, Kentucky will get you to pull the trigger on the 2016 model. Go talk with them today!
