The rivalry between Chevrolet and Ford has defined the American automotive landscape since the 1900s. One of the best examples of this rivalry occurred in the 1960s when Ford introduced the Mustang, and Chevrolet followed up with the Camaro. By every account, the Camaro was a rush job, but even so, it made a lasting impression. Six generations later, the 2023 Chevy Camaro continues the industry's fiercest rivalry and displays its legacy as a timeless classic with personality, power, and a penchant for speed.
The 2023 Camaro maintains a strong presence in the Chevy lineup because it's one of the most affordable and customizable sports cars in the industry. Its budget-friendly starting price makes it accessible to more drivers. At the same time, performance-oriented trims like the SS and ZL1 make it possible to satiate any need for speed, sweetening the deal with the reliability of the Chevrolet name. The 2023 Camaro is the whole package. It's a well-rounded sports car that rivals the Mustang, doing so with a sophistication that doesn't come at a premium. Here's a closer look at what you can expect from this icon in 2023.
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The 2023 Camaro lineup starts with the 1LS. This entry-level sports car is well-equipped and rolls off the factory floor with Chevrolet's proven 2.0L turbocharged engine with 275 hp and smooth-shifting six-speed manual transmission that gives you a physical connection to the legendary sports car. The 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT share the same base powertrain but add advanced technologies and can be further customized with several design packages. For example, the 1LT and 2LT feature a seven-inch touchscreen, but the 3LT adds the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus system with an eight-inch display, a premium nine-speaker Bose audio system, and enhanced safety technologies like Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert.
The LT1 and 1SS are next in the Camaro lineup and usher in a significant increase in power courtesy of the 6.2L V8 engine with 455 hp. The LT1 features exclusive fender badging and black bowtie emblems, but the 1SS is more attuned to performance with its performance tires, Brembo performance brakes, and LED headlamps with LED signature lighting accents. The 2SS completes the SS family with its interior spectrum lighting and Bose premium sound system.
The Camaro ZL1 sits at the top of the Camaro family tree in 2023 and offers the power and performance expected of a legendary speed demon. Designed for pure thrills, the Camaro ZL1 has the heart of a warrior. Its 6.2L supercharged V8 engine produces 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, with Chevrolet giving you exceptional control over this output via the six-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching. Alternatively, you can push the Camaro ZL1 further with the available 10-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. The combination is exceptional, especially with the ZL1's dual-mode exhaust delivering the throaty rumble expected of a sports car with this level of capability.
The 2023 Camaro fulfills its promise to deliver thrilling adventures on straight highway stretches and winding backroads. The sports car accomplishes this incredible feat with a four-tier engine lineup that starts with Chevrolet's proven 2.0L turbocharged engine. Standard on the Camaro LS and LT trims, the turbocharged power plant produces 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque for a launch from zero to 60 mph in as little as 5.4 seconds. Moreover, its impressive output doesn't force the Camaro to guzzle fuel, with its estimated 30 MPG on the highway keeping more money in your wallet for your next adventure.
Climbing the Camaro's multi-engine lineup brings us to its second powertrain: the 3.6L V6. This engine pushes the Camaro to higher speeds by delivering 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque. As a result, its launch from zero to 60 mph is slightly faster at 5.2 seconds. Chevrolet also gives you the option to pair the V6 with a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, which promises exceptionally smooth shifting without compromising your control or connection with the sports car's performance.
The Camaro LT1 and SS skip the base power plants. Instead, they roll off the production line with Chevrolet's legendary 6.2L V8 engine. Paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the V8 delivers 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque, shaving over a second off its zero to 60 mph launch at 4.0 seconds. However, the 6.2L isn't as efficient as the turbocharged 2.0L, rated for an estimated 26 MPG on the highway with the available 10-speed automatic transmission.
Last in the Camaro's powertrain lineup is the 6.2L supercharged V8, which is only available on the Camaro ZL1. This V8, with its 1.7L Eaton supercharger, is what dreams are made of, churning out 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque for a zero to 60 mph launch in as little as 3.5 seconds. This supercharged power makes for a thrilling adventure but doesn't dramatically compromise the Camaro's fuel consumption. Instead, the engine's variable valve timing optimizes efficiency, with the sports car rated for 20 MPG on the highway.
The 2023 Camaro remains a fan favorite because it's one of the easiest cars to customize to match your style and performance needs. Chevrolet doesn't shy away from offering trim-specific design packages and special editions that add to the Camaro's appeal. For 2023, the options are plentiful and include two special editions and six design packages engineered to bring your Camaro dreams to life.
The Camaro's basic design packages––Design Package 1, Design Package 2, and Design Package 3––are available on every trim except the 1LS and ZL1. These three packages offer a progressive suite of details and features. For example, Design Package 1 adds 20-inch polished or black forged aluminum wheels, Camaro fender badging and wheel center caps, Black Metallic Hash Mark stripes. It also includes RS Package details, like dark-tinted LED tail lamps, an exclusive grille, black bowtie emblems, and a decklid-mounted lid spoiler.
The second design package adds Carbon Flash Metallic ground effects, a black or silver center stripe, and a black suede microfiber-wrapped shift knob, steering wheel, and knee pads. Finally, Design Package 3 completes the aesthetic with a black Camaro fender badge, a Satin Black Hood Stripe with Silver Ice Metallic Hash Mark Stripes, and a fuel-filler door with a visible carbon-fiber insert.
The RS, SS 1LE, and ZL1 1LE are trim-specific packages that offer exquisite details and prepare the Camaro for speed-chasing thrills. The SS 1LE Track Performance Package adds 20-inch Satin Graphite forged aluminum wheels, Magnetic Ride Control, a dual-mode performance exhaust, six-piston Brembo brakes, a front splitter, a rear spoiler, and RECARO performance seats. The ZL1 1LE adds 19-inch low-glass black-painted wheels, upgraded Brembo brakes, and an exposed carbon-fiber hood insert.
Beyond these design packages, Chevrolet offers two exclusive special edition models that give the Camaro a distinct aesthetic. The Shock and Steel Special Edition, available on the 2LT, 3LT, and 2SS features carbon and black details, from its black badging to the Carbon Flash Metallic mirrors, stripe, and instrument panel molding. You'll also find the Brembo performance brakes have yellow-painted calipers that complete the "shock" part of its name. The Redline Edition takes a different approach and is available on the LT, LT1, and SS. It swaps the chrome details for Redline Edition graphics and enhances the black Camaro fender badging with a distinct red outline complemented by the cabin's red seat belts and knee pads.