Camaro Fares as Victor Over Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger in 2021 JD Power Rankings

Sports cars are definitely not becoming a thing of the past, even though they may be on track to see a great deal of change and evolution in the coming years. One of our favorite vehicles here at West Chevy of Knoxville is the 2021 Chevy Camaro, which just recently topped the JD Power Consumer Quality rankings in the mid-size sporty car category.

This notable and high-contending quality ranking put our prized pony car far ahead of the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger in the never-ending battle between the high saints of muscle, as well as other premium-ranked sports cars in other categories. The JD Power Consumer Quality rating comes entirely from owner feedback, making it a very reliable blueprint that shows how everyday consumers ranks using different vehicles. 

There's nothing as satisfying as experiencing the exhaust note from a well-tuned muscle car while it flies at high speed down a winding road, and the ZL1 version boasts 650-horsepower as well as the ability to be tuned to the T for track duty with the amazing 1LE package. This year's model also comes sprinting out of the gates with a blistering head-start and the visually striking new Wild Cherry Tintcoat color option as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Under the ZL1's capable cloak, the Camaro adds 20-inch wheels and menacing satin-black exterior accents on top of unique interior bits to take in while you're preparing excitedly for your launch. Every 1LE has a dual-mode exhaust system, enhanced powertrain-cooling components, more powerful brakes, a limited-slip differential and unique suspension tuning. You can even opt for the 1LE Package with a 4-cylinder and V6 engine, while pairing it with the V8 would still offer the most thrills and heart-pounding throttle-heavy driving fun.

Even the base 275-hp 4-cylinder is not by any means navigating slowly, as the Car And Driver staff excitedly claimed after extensive drive testing. Once you boost things up a bit and opt for the 355-hp V6, the Camaro's character bumps up an aggressive notch. The low-end torque, linear power delivery and immediately-noticeable acceleration align perfectly along with the optional dual-mode exhaust, which provides the perfectly-pitched note at startup. Finishing as the top contender for the JD Power's annual stack-up clues buyers into the fact that many who are eager to take a spin with the Camaro are highly satisfied, and we know that this daredevil in its prime will always deliver dauntingly on point!

Chevy Camaro Deemed by Car Connection “Best Performance Buy for 2020”

Aaron Cole is the experienced and well-versed editor for The Car Connection, and he began his latest feature about our prized Camaro by lamenting that “These are halcyon days for horsepower”. In regards to the best reasons to purchase one, he opens up with saying that nothing provides as “intoxicating a mix” in regards to the horsepower and throaty V-8 for the price. The SS model focuses heavily on the 6.2-liter V8, which cranks out 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with the 6-speed manual transmission that Aaron ranks as the most engaging out there, and rises up from zero to 60 mph at around 4.3 seconds.

When compared to the LT1 model, the SS features a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, Brembo Brakes, performance tires, and a digital instrument information display as standard. The SS also provides the addition of available magnetic dampers that really mold the car into a shining star on the track. After the additional finesse of a 1LE suspension tune, the SS is ready to take on anything track-related, with a lot of heart and sheer muscle.

When stacking up the Camaro to it's prominent crosstown rival in the form of the Mustang, the Car Connection team points out that they love the 5.0-liter V8 that makes 460 hp, but the Camaro beats out the Mustang when it comes to handling. In regards to the Mustang GT, it is improved with a Performance Package 2 upgrade, but after extensive driving, was still not deemed as nimble when it came to navigating every single little bump and turn on the track. It was not long ago that cars that boasted more than 400 horsepower were usually going to hover around the six-figure range, and all of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville agree that these are exciting times for anyone who wants to experience this type excitement on a bit of a  budget.

This is the longstanding “pony pride” of the Chevy line that Car and Driver bills as “endlessly enjoyable to drive”, and offers up something for everyone as far as driving experience overall. For 2020, the lineup also saw the addition of a new Rally Green paint color  and a few other options to hone in and personalize your Camaro. The LT1 Model is the entry point designed to make V-8 power more accessible to the masses, but the SS is where you see truly linear power delivery, and heart-pumping acceleration enhanced by the dual-mode exhaust.

The professionals who have years of experience with high-performance cars that have driven the Camaro as of late say that the brake performance is fantastic: aggressive and assuring responses are the norm, and every time you engage it's obvious that years of research and development more than paid off. Key safety features include available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, and available rear parking sensors.

New Camaro Model Announced For Thrilling 2020 Nascar Cup Series

Last week the announcement was made that Chevy teams in the 2020 Nascar Cup Series would be driving the Camaro ZL1 1LE, which will be the fastest, most track-capable production Camaro of all time. This exciting and world-class car will replace the SS for the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season, and so far this year, the ZL1 has produced seven wins. Chase Elliott has 4 under his belt, and Kurt Busch, Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, and Justin Haley all have one each.

With the new model, engineers went hard to work optimizing aerodynamic performance by using computational fluid dynamics, simulations, and full-scale wind testing to hone in and create the best track contender possible. The new ZL1 1LE is the absolute highest performer within the Camaro lineup, and the Chevy namesake has won a record of 39 NASCAR manufacturer championships, seeing 13 titles in a row from 2003 – 2015. Chevy drivers have achieved a record 31 championships, including Jimmie Johnson's record-tying seventh three years ago. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series will be the 72^nd season for the thrilling sport of stock car racing, and the 49^th season for the modern-era Cup Series.

The season will begin at Daytona International Speedway with the Advance Auto Parts Clash, the Gander RV Duel qualifier, and the 62^nd running of the sun-splashed Daytona 500. Just two weeks ago, it was announced that Go Fas Racing created an alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing to glean chassis, data, and technical support from them beginning next year. On October 16 of 2019, JTG Daughterty Racing announced that they signed Ricky Stenhouse JR to a multi-year deal, and three weeks later, Landon Cassil stated in an interview that he plans to stay put in the StarCom Racing no. 00 Chevy for 2020.

On October 1 of 2019, NASCAR officially released the rules listings for 2020. Among the

changes is the reduction of road crew members from 12 to ten, and teams with three or more cars are now limited to just three roster spots. This year after 21 years of being NASCAR's Premiere Fourth of July weekend event, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway will now move to August and becomes the final race of the regular season. Everyone here at West Chevy of Knoxville is beyond excited to see how the most powerful Camaro ever fares during one of the most exciting pastimes in America, and we’ll keep you posted right here as the multitudes of Michelin rubber hit the pavement!

Curbing the Desire to Drag: Camaro's Domination + Achievement List

 When the summer months begin their sultry drawl in Knoxville and the sun beats down, many racing fanatics get to curb their desire to watch a few races, or get down and dirty themselves with a little fresh (and hot!) asphalt. At the Knoxville Drag strip, you can catch the "Outlaw Heads Up" series during August, and get in on some of the very exciting action by hearing the engines roar. The Camaro has always been a front-running performer on the drag strip, and many racing fans love watching it outperform others on the drag so much, that they feel that they have to have one of their own.

The Camaro has more of everything that works to seamlessly connect the driver to prime pavement, and models such as the 2018 ZL1 equipped with the 1LE Track Package will forever reshape the way you think about racing technology. Front dive planes and adjustable suspension are just a few of the amazing attributes that keep the Camaro so very high up the ladder in pure appeal. Snagging up awards is one way that a car really proves itself in the marketplace, and the Camaro did just that in 2017.

J.D. Powers and Associates named the Camaro the "Most Dependable Midsize Sporty Car, Five Years in a Row." The company conducts surveys related to customer satisfaction, and buyer behavior in the car industry. The Camaro is absolutely dependable: with no current listed recalls, many run avidly on up to 200,000 miles with ease. While you are gleefully spinning your tires at the strip, the Custom Launch Control uses Performance Traction Control to keep rear tires spinning at the correct speed, and allows you to adjust both your wheel slippage and your launch RPM by means of the Driver Information Center.

Car and Driver is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has been a monthly authority on everything avid gearheads want to know for decades. Known for a bit of biting tone and general disdain for SUV's, their circulation of 1.23 million has always had a penchant for anything fast. The Camaro was named in Car and Driver's 2017 10Best, and hailed for its reliability and prowess on the road. With Electronic park brake, Keyless open and start, and Power Seats with Memory Package, it's a car that proudly puts to use its driver-centric array of technology.

Kelley Blue Book awarded the Camaro with the 2017 Best Resale Value award, an honor in a post-recession landscape where cash has consistently been king. We don't think that you would ever find a reason to want to get rid of this high-performing and purring beast, but if you do, you can be assured that you're gonna get a bit more cash back in your pocket than other makes have. Come visit us at West Chevrolet to check out the potential of owning a new Camaro, and the many different safety features it has. Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and 8 standard airbags in the ZL1 Coupe are all going to protect you at the first sign of any trouble.

Ask us how you can get on board with maintenance visits, and 5 years or 60,000 miles of Roadside Assistance with Courtesy Transportation. When the Camaro first rolled out in 1966, it was evident just what a landmark and sought-after vehicle it would become, and the days of summer are the most alluring to hear it roar irreverently down any drag strip.

Wishing a Happy 50th Anniversary To the Chevrolet Camaro

 

In September of 1966, the Chevrolet Camaro made its debut, and now in its sixth generation, has been going strong ever since (we’ll ignore the little break it took in the early parts of the 21st century). This year, the Camaro is celebrating its 50th birthday and Chevrolet plans to celebrate accordingly!

At the 2016 Woodward Dream Cruise, an annual classic car event taking place in Metropolitan Detroit, Chevrolet has multiple public events planned for the Camaro that any fanatic will want to attend. To kick off the celebration, tours of the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant, where the Camaro is built, will be offered to ticketholders. The following day, a “Camaros and Coffee” event will take place at the Joe Louis Arena Riverfront parking lot and on the official day of the Dream Cruise, Chevy will have a special heritage collection of the Camaro on display.

At this display, the new 2017 Camaro ZL1 and 1LE variants will be available to view. The 2017 ZL1 will feature a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 640 horsepower and 10-speed automatic transmission, so we’re excited, to say the least.

To continue with the party, Chevrolet also plans to release a 50th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro- available on coupes and convertibles with the 2SS or 2LT trims. Each vehicle will come in Nightfall Gray Metallic and will advertise the car’s birthday with badges and 50th Anniversary logos throughout.

To find out more information about the anniversary or any events taking place, be sure to visit www.camarofifty.com.

In the meantime, check back here for more updates and be sure to stop in West Chevrolet in Knoxville, TN to give the 2016 Camaro a test drive!

2016 Camaro with V6 Engine Still Offers Fun Like Big Brother V8

Six-cylinder engine in Chevy muscle car still fires with same intensity as available V8

For decades, muscle cars were synonymous with big V8 engines, roar as soon as the key was turned. If a muscle car had a V6 under the hood, many enthusiasts would turn their heads away and focus only on the V8.

Times have changed, and while most muscle car fans would prefer their Camaros with the V8 engine, we invite these purists to see just how much fun they can still have even with a V6 under the hood. Car and Driver said the V6 in the new 2016 Camaro has “bragging rights” over the 5.7-liter V8 found in a Camaro SS from years ago.

This redesigned engine is now the base one found in a new 2016 Camaro coming soon to West Chevrolet serving Knoxville. There are 12 more horsepower than last year’s V6 trims, and the engine was a major part of the design of the most advanced Camaro ever.

The optional dual-mode exhaust makes the V6 roar, and those who love the sound of a V8 should get a kick out of what the Camaro’s V6 could do. When mated with the eight-speed automatic transmission, which Car and Driver called “nearly ... flawless,” the gear changes are smooth, firm and well-timed. And if you want to be in control of the shifting, a six-speed manual transmission is an option as well.

Though you may get a different experience behind the wheel of the V6 than you would the V8, the feeling will still be the same that every Camaro fan near Knoxville gets when controlling one amazing muscle car.

To learn more about or reserve the upcoming 2016 Camaro, call West Chevrolet at 865-970-9378. If you’d like to schedule a test drive of the new 2016 Camaro or any of our other great new Chevys, you can always contact West Chevrolet online as well!

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Testing of Next Camaro ZL1 Made Evident Thanks to Latest Spy Shots

Exterior changes including larger grille becomes much more noticeable in newest pics

On the heels of major announcements for the 2016 Camaro, Chevrolet continues to work on its muscle and performance line. CarPix and AutoBlog have uncovered spy shots of the camouflaged, next-gen Camaro ZL1. The new exterior changes should have Knoxville Camaro fans excited.

The most noticeable change is the much larger and almost honeycombed grille that will take center stage when you look head-on at it. This new shape gives the Camaro a modern look to keep pace with its technological interior. The lower air dam also sticks out a bit more, and the hood looks similar to other General Motors performance models.

Photo from AutoBlog

Black-spoked wheels make a return from the current generation, and the rear bumper has slight changes as well. It’s still too early to make any judgements about the powertrain of the ZL1, but more than likely it will have the traditional 6.2-liter supercharged V8.

The ZL1 is one of the greatest pieces of engineering to come out of Chevrolet garages and design rooms. With a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds and a 580-horsepower supercharged V8 engine, the Camaro ZL1 is built for the track but also fun for the open road and highways. The high-performance looks both inside and out set the Camaro ZL1 apart from its competition, and that’s why the namesake has stayed around for decades and counting.

Current 2015 Camaro ZL1

The improved Camaro ZL1 should launch for the 2017 model year, which should place it at the fourth quarter of 2016. The wait will be well worth it though for Tennessee Camaro enthusiasts. If you are ready to check out a Camaro today, search West Chevrolet’s inventory right now for the latest deals on the Chevy muscle car.

West Chevrolet is your Knoxville and Alcoa home for award-winning Chevy models! If you have any questions about our Chevy products, feel free to contact West Chevrolet online or call at 865.970.9378. We also invite you to check out these award-winners in-person at our dealership at 3450 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701.

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