https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2734 ... otos-info/The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro Is Less Ugly and Offers an Affordable V-8 Model
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020-ch ... 300F2705DBChevy Has Heard Your Collective Gagging, Introduces Face-Lifted 2020 Chevrolet Camaro SS
This will be an interesting case study. As I mentioned before the Camaro sales were going down prior to the 2019 refresh. So it will be really interesting to see how the combination of a cheaper V8 model and styling update will move that needle. And if not, then that is why an OEM should not just read forums and then design vehicles based on that.
From C&D:
MT had this to say about the styling update:After a controversial refresh for 2019, Chevrolet has revised the Camaro SS's front-end styling for 2020, repositioning the bow-tie emblem and making the bumper insert body color. But that's not even the most exciting of the changes Chevrolet is introducing for 2020: a new, affordable model called the LT1 offers the burly 6.2-liter V-8 engine, previously offered only in the SS, at a lower price point.
The Camaro LT1 starts at $34,995, a $3000 drop compared to the current 2019 Camaro's cheapest V-8 model, the 1SS, which starts at $37,995. It also just undercuts the cheapest V-8–powered Ford Mustang, the $36,450 GT. The Camaro LT1 is essentially the same as the Camaro's 1LT trim level, but with the 455-hp V-8 stuck under the hood. It also gets LT1 fender badges, the vented hood from the SS, and black bow-tie emblems. A lesser wheel and tire package, with 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires that are the same size all around, ensures that the LT1 won't upset the performance hierarchy, as the SS still reigns supreme with its more aggressive, staggered-width summer tires.
2020 Camaro 2019 Camaro I'll let Bill discuss styling because I really don't care all that much (FWIW, I do prefer the bowtie on the grill) - and I'll say again, basing styling on the loudest section of the internet is really not the way to design a car because large swaths of those people are not really potential buyers in which case their opinion does not matter at all. Moving on.One of the biggest updates for the 2020 Camaro model year is a new front-end design for the SS that's based on the Camaro Shock concept at last year's SEMA show. The main tweaks include moving the bowtie emblem from the front crossbar to the upper grille, as well as rendering that bar in body color rather than black. This addresses the gripes many fans had when the refreshed Camaro debuted last year.
I like the trim name. LT1. Clever. LT refers to being inferior to SS trim (i.e. 1SS, 2SS). And rather than 1LT which is the V6, they made it LT1 to match the engine. Again, clever. I don't know if this means they basically put the LT1 into a V6 trim car. Sort of sounds like that. But yeah new base price for a V8 of $35k (which is $3k cheaper than 1SS trim) which undercuts the Mustang by about $1,500 (which frankly is good because the updated GT is faster than the Camaro SS at this point). If the LT1 is lighter though, that is an interesting thing. I don't know what the actual market factors will be like but I could see a 1SS being discounted more than an LT1 at which point that $3k savings could diminish further so not sure how big of a difference this will really make to ultimate sales. As an enthusiast, I don't think I'd want anything to do with an LT1 trim car if I was looking for a used Camaro, because higher trims are almost always a better value on the used market as they depreciate further/faster.
Another messed up factor is, the lower base price on the V8 could get people into the showroom, even if they drive out with a 1SS or even 2SS. I guess that is something to consider. I personally think that is dumb, but I also think people are dumb. These are largely the same people who take on ridiculous car payments without thinking too much about the finances.
Also V6 news.
That V6 is going to be quick. It already runs like 13.8 @ 104. It might do something like a 13.7 @ 105.V-6 Camaros benefit from a new 10-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the old eight-speed (a six-speed manual remains standard). The base turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder sticks with a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic, while V-8 models offer the six-speed manual or the 10-speed automatic.