Chevrolet brings the 2016 COPO Camaro
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The sixth generation Camaro has arrived about one year later than the 6th generation Mustang but Chevrolet is now expediting the introductions to catch up to its traditional rival.
One example is the reveal in time for SEMA of the 2016 COPO Camaro that will go head to head on the racing strips with the equally out of the box Cobra Jet Mustang. In order to get through the development process faster, the COPO Camaro was built with input from NHRA Funny Car driver Courtney Force – with the drag racer having a say in the design process for the one-off model specifically designed for SEMA.
The model is also set to go under the hammer during a 2016 Barrett-Jackson auction with the proceeds heading for charity. The COPO Camaro has made it to the show without the street model’s regular rear suspension, replaced with a solid rear axle. As far as the comparison goes with the former COPO Camaro based off the fifth generation, the new architecture brings a body-in-white weight loss of 133 lbs (60.5 kg) and a structural rigidity enhancement of 28 percent.
The prototype used for the SEMA show also displays under the protruding hood a concept 350ci racing engine, in the form of the regular V8 employing a Whipple 2.9L supercharger – unfortunately the maker did not satisfy our curiosity in terms of power and dynamic figures. Built for the NHRA Stock and Super Stock classes, the racers going for the 2016 COPO Camaro will have a variety of engine choices – blown or atmospheric, such as the supercharged 350 (5.7L), the naturally aspirated 427 (7.0L) or the new LT-based 376 (6.2L) powerplant; all being mated to the motorsport-grade Turbo 400 three-speed auto.
