Future’s So Bright: Camaro, Cruze & Colorado
We Cover the Top 5 Chevy-centric Things that We Are Looking Forward to in 2017, from the Sleek ZL1 to the Sporty ZR2
A new year is here, and with it comes new opportunities for Chevrolet to impress its fans. There is a ton of great things coming down the pipeline that we are pretty excited about — from new car launches and special editions to anniversary celebrations and everything in between. It’s probably best that everyone forget 2016 and instead focus on the hopefully brighter future that 2017 presents. Chevrolet, it seems, will be doing its part to make 2017 a phenomenal year. Here we’ve assembled the five big things that we’re looking forward to the most from Chevrolet in the coming year. Check out our picks!
1. The Camaro ZL1
Chevy’s mega-Camaro is ready to bring the power to the people with an excellent Alpha platform chassis, a big-power supercharged V8 and a fancy 10-speed automatic transmission. (Don’t worry three-pedalers, it’ll have a manual option as well.) The car has been teased for months, with journalist ride-alongs back in the spring, an impressive Nurburgring lap time in October, and reviews starting to filter out over the last few weeks. Deliveries should begin soon, and we’re looking forward to getting some seat-time to tell you all about it. Is your ZL1 order already placed?
2. Camaro’s 50th Anniversary
Speaking of the Camaro, look who’s turning the big five-oh this year! Sure, 1967 was a long time ago, but it was a year that brought about one of our all-time favorite Chevrolets. With six generations of the two-door, four-seat muscle machine under their belt spanning five decades, the car is ready for its anniversary celebrations. And it’s certainly earned them, don’t you think? Chevy will be celebrating big during the weekend of the Woodward Dream Cruise. So, make sure you’re in attendance, and bring your favorite Camaro.
3. Cruze RS Diesel
We know that a lot of dyed-in-the-wool Chevy devotees are fans because of the car company’s big-power V8 muscle offerings in the form of a Camaro, Corvette or even the SS sedan. And that’s all well and good. Modern times call for a smaller and less powerful solution to the performance car wars. The new Cruze RS Diesel that’s been rumored to be on its way could provide GM with a new take on that theme, giving Ford’s ST and VW’s GTI a run for their money. Hot hatchbacks, especially diesel ones, have always intrigued us. With a 136 horsepower/236 lb-ft oil-burner motivation unit under the hood, it should have enough grunt to get out of its own way. But the suspension tuning will be important. If it’s good, it could get enthusiasts excited!
4. Chevy SS Final Edition’s Potential Power Bump
Australia is getting out of the automobile-production business. Consequently, the Chevrolet SS (as well as the Holden Commodore it’s based on) is getting the ax as a result. Perhaps as a way of saying goodbye, we heard rumors back in July that GM ordered up a limited quantity of pumped-up Chevy SS sedans, potentially with an LSA powerplant. Whether that happens or not is yet to be seen. In either case, though, we’re sad to see the SS heading out.
5. Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Of everything Chevy has announced for 2017, the Colorado ZR2 might be the most exciting. Chevy’s right-sized pickup has all of the goods we look for in an off-roader. It could take the fight directly to Ford’s Raptor. However, it doesn’t have a crazy power bump. Chevy spent all of its time developing a trick new suspension setup for this truck. Finally, with the Spool Valve multimatic-developed shocks and proper off-road gear, this truck is one to watch out for on the trails. This should be good. Real good.