2013 Chevrolet Camaro: What's New

Vehicle Overview

The Camaro is Chevrolet’s affordable rear-wheel-drive performance car. Offered in coupe and convertible body styles, the Camaro is available with V-6 or V-8 power. A high-performance ZL1 edition powered by a 580-horsepower, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 is also available in either body style. The Camaro competes with other retro-inspired muscle cars, including the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang.

(Skip to details on the: Camaro convertible, Camaro ZL1)
New for 2013
The V-8-powered Camaro SS now gets electric power steering and and an available dual-mode exhaust. Camaros equipped with a manual transmission, regardless of the engine or trim, now get hill start assist and a ZL1-style shift knob.

Apart from new interior leather trim and a new exterior paint color, buyers can choose from newly styled 18- or 20-inch wheels. Remote start now comes on 1LT and 1SS trim levels with an automatic transmission. Chevrolet’s new MyLink entertainment system with a touch-screen and navigation is optional.
 
There is a new 1LE Performance Package for Camaro SS coupes with a manual transmission. Included in the package is an exclusive Tremec-brand six-speed manual and a high-performance suspension and tire setup. Distinguishing exterior details include a matte black hood, front splitter, rear spoiler and 10-spoke wheels similar to those on the ZL1 Camaro. Inside, there’s a flat-bottomed steering wheel and short-throw shifter.
Exterior
The Camaro has a retro theme that borrows from previous models, including a long hood and short rear deck. The front end features a honeycomb grille, and the rear has aggressively styled fenders with slits shaped like gills. The back has four rounded taillamps that are similar to the ones found on the Corvette.

An available RS Appearance Package includes high-intensity-discharge headlamps with integrated halo rings, a rear spoiler, unique taillamps and 20-inch wheels. Exterior features include:

• Available 18-, 19-, 20- or 21-inch wheels
• Standard power mirrors
• Standard rear spoiler
• Optional power heated mirrors
• Optional auto-dimming driver-side mirror
• Optional fog lamps

Interior
The retro theme continues on the inside, and there’s a new frameless rearview mirror for 2013. There’s also an available auxiliary instrument panel near the shifter that indicates oil temperature, oil pressure, battery voltage and transmission fluid temperature. Interior features include:

• Cloth or leather upholstery
• Standard air conditioning, power windows and locks, and keyless entry
• Optional USB port for MP3 player
• Optional heated front seats
• Available head-up display
• Available power height-adjustable front-passenger seat

Under the Hood
Camaro LS and LT models have a V-6 engine, while the V-8 is exclusively found on SS models. When paired with an automatic transmission the V-8 features GM’s Active Fuel Management system, which turns off four cylinders under light loads. Camaro SS models can have a dual-mode exhaust that alters the exhaust sound.

The Camaro has multiple suspension setups depending on which model is chosen. Mechanical features include:

• 323-hp, 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 with 278 pounds-feet of torque
• 400-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 with 410 pounds-feet of torque (automatic SS)
• 426-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 with 420 pounds-feet of torque (manual SS)
• Standard six-speed manual transmission
• Optional six-speed automatic

Safety
All Camaros come with OnStar, with one free year of GM’s Safe and Sound Plan, whose features include monthly email alerts, automatic crash response and roadside assistance. They also get six months free of the Directions and Connections plan. Standard safety features include:

• Side curtain airbags (coupe)
• Front side-impact airbags
• Daytime running lamps
• Antilock brakes
• Electronic stability system
• Traction control
• Hill start assist (manual-transmission models)

Camaro Convertible
The Camaro convertible is available with V-6 or V-8 power and a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Chevrolet teased Camaro enthusiasts with a convertible concept, and the production version doesn’t look much different from the concept. It retains the sleek, wide stance of the coupe and is offered with a choice of 18-, 19-, 20- or 21-inch wheels.

Convertibles are less rigid than their closed-roof counterparts. To counteract that, the Camaro convertible gains structural reinforcements like a tower brace under the hood, a reinforcement brace for the transmission and underbody bracing.

Chevrolet says the Camaro convertible’s power soft-top takes just 20 seconds to lower — pretty quick for a large top. It latches at the windshield with a single lever, and the canvas top has sound-deadening material and a glass rear window with a defogger. The soft-top also maintains the silhouette of the coupe’s metal roof when raised. Back to top
Camaro ZL1
Available as either a coupe or convertible, the Camaro ZL1 aims straight for the Ford Shelby GT500 with its 580-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that makes 556 pounds-feet of torque.

All that power is routed to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with three different modes: Drive, Sport and Manual. The manual transmission also comes with Launch Control. The Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension is standard, and it includes three modes: Tour, Sport and Track.

Distinctive front-end styling sets the ZL1 apart from regular Camaros, and the aluminum hood has a carbon fiber insert. The unique look helps channel air to the front brakes to help keep them cool. High-intensity-discharge headlights and 20-inch wheels are standard.

The interior is only available in black and features heated leather seats with microfiber inserts and ZL1 logos on the head restraints. Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, a 7-inch touch-screen radio with the MyLink entertainment system, rear parking sensors and a backup camera. Back to top