Modern Chevy Performance

Chevrolet has always been known for offering jaw-dropping power and performance, and now Chevrolet Dealers in Atlanta are offering the next generation of Chevy performance vehicles. The Alpha platform sixth-generation Camaro and new mid-engine C8 Corvette still offer the large displacement V8 engines Chevrolet has always been known for, but now both of those vehicles are more agile than they have ever been.

In the Camaro’s case, this newfound nimbleness comes down to lighter weight and more advanced suspension systems. But the Corvette’s new mid-engine form is a radical departure from the old front-engine design and dramatically outperforms the already impressive C7 that preceded it. System by system and car by car here is a rundown of the face of modern Chevy performance. Power and agility are now available, all in a single package.

The 2021 Camaro

The Camaro is Chevrolet’s performance car for everyone. Those who look down on the inexpensive V6 models often find themselves staring at said model’s tail lights, as the modern V6 engine that powers the sixth-generation Camaro belt out more power than the original LT1 V8 engines of the nineties. As one goes up the 2021 Chevy Camaro trim levels, things only get faster. The turbo four-cylinder models start at $25,000 and develop 295 pound-feet of torque. Similarly priced sports cars from other manufacturers often barely make half that number.

Naturally, the V8 models of the Camaro draw the most attention, and they earn that attention. From simple and lightweight naturally-aspirated options to supercharged machines that can out-launch fighter aircraft, the Camaro line really does have an adrenaline-pumping option for every budget. Those who are serious about performance can add the 1LE package to any Camaro, further increasing agility, handling, and endurance under high-performance conditions.

Camaro Engine Options

As previously mentioned, the Camaro has a powerful engine for every budget and taste. Those looking for lightweight and simple naturally-aspirated power will feel very at home with the LGX V6, while those who prefer boost will find the 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder turbo option to be riotously fun. Finally, those who live by the motto “no replacement for displacement” will be heartened by the roar of the top-of-the-line 6.2-liter LT-series V8s.

The LT1 and LT4 V8 engines are both all-aluminum, and the LT1 is lighter than some iron block inline-four engines from decades past. The hundreds of pounds saved by aluminum construction not only makes for a superior power to weight ratio but also dramatically improves car balance and handling. In the old muscle car days, a 650 horsepower supercharged V8 would make the front of a car so heavy it would only be useful in a straight line. But these days, thanks to better materials and more advanced technology, a car like the Camaro ZL1 1LE can destroy the competition whether the venue is a track or a dragstrip.

Camaro Transmission Choices

Unlike many other enthusiast-oriented cars these days, the Camaro continues to be offered with a six-speed manual transmission. The Tremec units provide the sturdy transfer of power to the rear wheels and are specially designed as the ultimate in driver engagement, with beautifully smooth and easy shifts. The six-speed manual used in the Camaro is derived from the T-56 unit that is lusted after by enthusiasts and is required to reliably handle the enormous torque the ZL1’s supercharged V8 delivers.

While those who require the ultimate in driver engagement have the six-speed option, the Camaro is also available with an incredibly fast-shifting automatic transmission that maximizes performance. And don’t worry – you can still manually select the gear you want by using the large paddle shifters. While some purists may look down on automatics, they are hands down the faster option, and the new ten-speed option for the ZL1 allows the car to rocket to sixty miles per hour in under 3.6 seconds.

Camaro Chassis Design

The primary claim to fame of the Camaro’s new backbone, the Alpha platform, is its significant weight reduction. Better optimized than ever before, this new unibody frame contains the power of the Camaro while shedding pounds. Diving deeper, the Camaro is available with the high-performance 1LE package, which adds several important features to the chassis for those with a focus on performance driving.

Specially built and tuned suspension and braking components transform the Camaro from a comfortable cruiser to a serious track machine without compromising said comfort. That said, the ultimate performance system on the Camaro is the available magnetorheological shocks on the ZL1. These magnetic suspension components change their exact damping characteristics hundreds of times per second via sensor inputs, providing maximum grip and comfort no matter the road surface. This technology has been banned from several professional racing series but is now available on a car you can buy from any Atlanta Chevy dealer.

The 2021 Corvette

When your Corvette is mistaken for a Ferrari, do not be offended. Most believe that to get those slick mid-engine looks, one has to grovel at the foot of a Ferrari salesman. That to attain that powerful V8 bark, one is required to schmooze before being offered the mere opportunity to buy what you want. Most believe that to own a car with that much horsepower and performance, you have to shell out more than what their house is worth.

However, the new C8 Corvette transcends those beliefs. Corvette owners don’t grovel, schmooze, or pay real estate money for a car. They earn their paycheck, select what they want, and then put it to work on the road or on the track. Only with a Corvette can you get supercar looks and performance for less than the price of some pickup trucks and SUVs.

Corvette Powertrain

The beating heart of the Chevy Corvette is the LT2, the latest and greatest in a long line of what many have described as the best engines ever built. This newest and most high-tech version of the old Chevy Small Block V8 makes a hair under 500 horsepower without resorting to superchargers or turbochargers. Those serious about performance will opt for the Z51 package, which adds a performance exhaust with cut-outs to an already ragingly powerful engine.

The transmission of the new C8 is the first of its kind in the Corvette lineage. An eight-speed dual-clutch unit, this transmission easily handles the huge torque generated by the LT2 and does so with incredibly fast shifts. Maximizing performance while also keeping the ability to cruise comfortably, this eight-speed might not be a manual, but it allows this affordable mid-engine exotic to launch from 0-60 in a breathtaking 2.9 seconds.

Corvette Chassis Features

The most important point of the new Corvette is also the most apparent. The mid-engine layout dramatically improves grip in virtually all circumstances, thanks to far better balance than a front-engine layout would ever be capable of. The C8 ‘Vette is the first in history to have a rear-biased weight balance, which means the rear tires have additional traction on launch while still being able to shift that weight forward to improve braking performance and cornering speed.

The Best of Chevy Performance

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford is home to the full lineup of Chevy vehicles, with options for any need you might have – and that includes going fast. We have a large inventory of Chevys of all kinds, from sturdy trucks to powerful performance machines. If you want to see what Chevy performance is all about, then it is time to pay us a visit and take the new 2021 Camaro and Corvette for a spin. Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford is the first place to look in the Atlanta area for all your automotive needs, whether you are looking to service your Chevy Silverado or check out a new Camaro.