2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe First Review
- The 10-speed transmission from the ZL1 makes its debut in the SS and it’s good!
- More differentiation in the Camaro line-up for 2019
- Starting price for the Camaro SS is $37,995
Muscle cars tend to be polarizing machines--you either love them for their raucousness or hate them for their brute, blunt-object style force--but the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe with the new 10-speed automatic transmission may be the goldilocks vehicle for anyone on the cusp of that relationship. With a suite of updated looks and features, and the new transmission, the Camaro SS offers a bit more finesse for 2019.
What’s New for Camaro ?
Nearly the entire Camaro line-up gets new styling cues, including new colors and lighting treatments, and new, somewhat controversial front and rear fascia for the LS, LT and SS packages. Along with the rest of Chevy’s line-up, the Camaro also gets more distinctive differentiation between trim levels, Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 system, and additional standard safety equipment. Chevy has also added a brand new Camaro 2.0L Turbo 1LE model to the line-up, to help buyers walk the line between weekend racer and weekday commuter.
The big update however, is the addition of the new optional 10-speed automatic transmission married to the 6.2L V8 engine in the SS.
Also: Get your first look at the new and redesigned cars of 2019
That 10-Speed Transmission, Though
According to Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser, the new 10-speed transmission was such a hit in the ZL1 that the company decided to bring it to 2019 Camaro SS. The company originally collaborated with Ford on the transmission but when they got down to brass tacks they parted ways, Oppenheiser said, a result of a “differing philosophy.”
While the current 10-speed isn’t the same as the 10-speed in the ZL1 (its internal code is 10L80E vs. 10L90E), it offers shift times of 150 milliseconds and leverages a gear ratio spread that is similar to an 8-speed transmission with closer ratios that help boost performance by keeping the engine in the power band. That all translates to nearly unnoticeable shifts between gears when the Camaro SS is driven in automatic mode and lightning quick responses when the gear selector is shoved over into manual mode and you use the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to row through the gears...
Original Post @Kelley Blue Book
