Chevy refreshes 2019 Camaro, expands 1LE track package

LAS VEGAS -- Chevrolet is expanding the availability of its popular 1LE track package and 10-speed transmission as part of a refresh of the Camaro for the 2019 model year.

The exterior of the 2019 Camaro features a more prominent upper grille that flows into redesigned LED headlamps. In the rear, the car's signature dual-element taillights are more sculpted than those on the current model.

SS models of the refreshed car will be available with a 10-speed transmission, while Chevrolet has expanded the 1LE package to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine -- making it available across the car's lineup.

"We really think we have a winner here," Chevy Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser said here during a preview of the car last week. "We now have a bookend for the lower part of the Camaro spectrum."

The Turbo 1LE comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission and a chassis package derived from the V-6 1LE to offer track-capable performance. Other features include:

• FE3 suspension with larger diameter front and rear stabilizer bars, specifically tuned dampers, stiffer rear cradle bushings and cross-axis ball joints in the rear tow links that enhance lateral stiffness.
• Split front/rear summer-only tire sizes.
• Brembo brake package with low-metallic performance pads.
• Nearly 50/50 weight balance.
• Driver Mode Selector with Sport Mode and new Track Mode; Competition Mode (within Sport and Track Modes).

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque carries over to the refreshed model.

Other enhancements for the 2019 Camaro include an upgraded infotainment system and standard 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen.

The refresh comes amid increased pressure in the muscle car segment, as the Dodge Challenger has been making gains on the Camaro and the segment-leading Ford Mustang has grown its lead over the Camaro.

In a down market for sporty cars, Camaro sales last year fell 6.6 percent to 67,940 units -- the lowest full year of sales since the company resurrected the nameplate in 2009. That compares with 81,866 Mustang sales in 2017 (down 23 percent), followed by 64,537 Challenger sales (up 0.2 percent). Combined Mustang-Camaro-Challenger sales fell 12 percent last year.

The 2019 Camaro comes days after the automaker announced refreshed versions of the Cruze, Malibu and Spark for the 2019 model year.