Now that the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro 
coupe has been unveiled, it’s time to have a look at the convertible model. Sort of, because the drop-top version of the sixth-gen pony has yet to be revealed. As usual, that didn’t stop our artist from rendering this upcoming model and me from speculating about what it might offer.
The first question that pops into mind is: When will the soft-top Camaro hit dealerships? My best guess is that Chevy will launch it in the first quarter of 2016. We should see it in the metal at the Detroit Auto Show in January, right before it goes on sale as GM’s main weapon against the sixth-generation Ford Mustang Convertible.
Just like its coupe sibling, the convertible will ride on The General’s Alpha architecture, shared with the Cadillac ATS and CTS. It’s very likely the drop-top will gain the coupe’s engines too, but Chevrolet might have a few surprised up its sleeve. But more on that in my speculative review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible.
Rendering
Exterior
What I do know for a fact about the Camaro Convertible is that it will look identical to the coupe from the waist down. This means it will inherit the car’s reworked body panels, with highlights including the revised front and rear fascias, more aggressive bumpers, and noticeable differences between trims. For instance, the SS model will get a honeycomb mesh for the front grille and intake and horizontal daytime running lights. On the flipside, the four-cylinder and V-6 versions will feature horizontal slats, as well as chrome strips each side of the “bowtie” emblem, and vertical DLRs. Out back, the SS will stand out by means of a trunk lid spoiler and a quad-exhaust arrangement.
Our rendering depicts an RS trim with a V-6 engine under the hood, noticeable by the badge on the the rear bumper and the dual exhaust layout.
Our rendering depicts an RS trim with a V-6 engine under the hood, noticeable by the badge on the the rear bumper and the dual exhaust layout.
In addition to sporting a new design, the Camaro Convertible will also be a bit smaller than its predecessor. Specifically, it should be about two inches shorter in length, an inch slimmer in width, and an inch shorter in height. Its wheelbase and overhangs should be shorter than last year’s model as well.
Above the waistline is where the drop-top will be notably different. The metal roof will be replaced by a retractable soft-top, while the windscreen should be a bit shorter than the coupe’s. Though not necessarily visible at first glance, the rear haunches should differ too due to modifications made to improve aerodynamics. The removal of the fixed roof and rear window should also result in a slightly reshaped trunk lid.
Chevy will likely introduce a newly designed folding system for the soft-top that’s quicker and takes up less space in the trunk.
Based on our rendering, the Camaro Convertible will be one sexy summer ride. And I must confess that although I generally prefer coupes to drop-tops, the sixth-gen Camaro might just be the first pony I’d rather have with a canvas top.
Interior
Note: 2016 Camaro coupe interior pictured.
Much like the exterior, the interior will mirror the coupe’s in just about every detail, plus the button needed to open and close the top.
Novelties include a revised dashboard with an optional 8-inch, configurable instrument cluster and a larger infotainment screen atop the center stack.
Although redesigned for the sixth-generation Camaro, the interior inherited various features from the past. Novelties include a revised dashboard with an optional 8-inch, configurable instrument cluster and a larger infotainment screen atop the center stack. The new Camaro also received GM’s next-generation MyLink system with improved connectivity and functions.
The center stack looks a lot cleaner now with most button placed below the screen, while the previous mechanical brake handle has been replaced by an electronic unit. The interior feels a bit more upscale overall, with cleverly placed chrome inserts and contrast stitching.
The fancy LED ambient lighting system, a segment-first feature, has 24 colors and offers a theatrical “car show” mode that cycles randomly through the entire color spectrum when the car is parked, and will likely be available for the convertible as well.
Drivetrain
The convertible should be available with the same engine trio as the coupe, starting with the four-cylinder Chevy just introduced as a base unit. Borrowed from the Cadillac ATS and CTS, the turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-pot cranks out 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in the 2016 Camaro. Although this mill will give us the least-powerful Camaro in decades, it will also bring us the most fuel-efficient Camaro yet. More on this when Chevrolet announces fuel economy estimates. For now, all we know is the four-cylinder will enable the Camaro to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds, which should be about the same with the convertible model. Also, the turbo-four is Chevy’s response for the Mustang EcoBoost that Ford introduced with the sixth-gen pony.
Although it displaces the same 3.6 liters as its predecessor, the V-6 is actually new, having also received cylinder deactivation technology on top of many upgraded internals.
Previously a base engine, the V-6 will be promoted as a mid-range offering in the upcoming convertible. Although it displaces the same 3.6 liters as its predecessor, the V-6 is actually new, having also received cylinder deactivation technology on top of many upgraded internals. Output now sits at 335 horsepower and 284 pound-feet, up 12 horses and six pound-feet over the previous model. These figures make it the most powerful naturally aspirated V-6 on the market, putting it above the Mustang by a whopping 35 horsepower. It should make the Camaro faster too, at around 5.7 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.
There will also be a Camaro SS Convertible, featuring the 6.2-liter V-8 that the coupe borrowed from the Corvette Stingray. The LT1 churns out 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque, meaning customers will get an extra 29 horses and 35 pound-feet over the previous model. The new output will also make the SS 20 horsepower more powerful than the Mustang GT Convertible. Expect the V-8-powered drop-top to sprint to 60 mph in less than five seconds.
In the transmission department, the coupe’s six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic will find their way into the convertible model as well.
There’s reason to believe the ZL1, not yet confirmed, but definitely in the pipeline, will continue as a convertible too. Moreover, with Chevy having already released the first-ever drop-top version of the Corvette Z06, there’s a possibility the track-prepped Z/28 will come with a soft-top as well.
Prices
Chevy hasn’t even released pricing for the 2016 Camaro coupe, which means I’m only taking guesses here. Based on current prices, the next Camaro Convertible should start from around $33,000 in base trim and from $41,000 with a V-8 under the hood.
Competition
Ford Mustang Convertible
Redesigned for the 2015 model year, the sixth-generation Mustang is now sportier than ever, thanks to its new chassis complete with an independent rear suspension, a first for the nameplate. The convertible version features discreet styling modifications, a full fabric outer layer for the roof, and a 10mm thick insulation pad for reduced cabin noise. Novelties include a center-mounted single latch that can be operated from the driver’s seat and an electromechanical drive system that folds and unfolds the top twice as fast than the one on the previous model.
The drop-top is available with all the coupe’s engines. There’s a 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet, a 2.3-liter EcoBoost with 310 horses and 320 pound-feet, and the grumpy 5.0-liter V-8 tuned to deliver 435 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of twist. Customers can choose between three trim levels. The V6 starts from $29,300, the EcoBoost Premium retails from $34,800, while the GT Premium fetches $41,800 before options.
Find out more about the 2015 Ford Mustang Convertible in our detailed review here.
BMW 4 Series Convertible
A comparison between the 4 Series and the Camaro might have seemed outrageous a few years ago, but that’s no longer the case. Sure, some might favor the Bimmer’s more premium interior and fancy gadgets, but the Camaro’s lighter chassis and upgraded engines will definitely bring new enthusiasts into Chevy dealerships.
The 4 Series Convertible can be had in two version here in the U.S. The base model is the 428i, which features a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 240 horsepower and a 0-to-60 mph sprint of 6.2 seconds. The second model is the 435i, powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six rated at 300 horsepower. This one sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds with RWD and 5.2 seconds with AWD. Pricing starts from $48,750 for the 428i and $54,900 for the 435i. All-wheel-drive adds $2,000 to each trim.
Find out more about the 4 Series Convertible in our full review here.
Conclusion
Although the new Camaro Convertible won’t be here for another six months or so, most of it has already been unveiled with the coupe. Judging by the numbers, the new convertible should also see significant improvements over its predecessor, and that will come in handy against the updated Mustang. Whether Chevy has something special in store for the Camaro Convertible or it will be business as usual remains to be seen when the actual car breaks cover.