2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible photo tour

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

This is the all new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible. Like the Camaro Coupe, it retains the same bad-you-know-what look in a smaller, lighter package. It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but one feature of the new convertible is a hard body-color tonneau which completely hides the lowered top from view.

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible interior

This is the interior of a top-of-the-line 2SS model with a two-tone leather interior. Chevrolet has made massive improvements to the Camaro's cabin, but it's still something of a cave -- and all that changes when you lop the roof off. Visibility in the old Camaro convertible wasn't great, even with the top down, but the new model is much better.

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro convertible

As with the coupe, the convertible makes good use of the dashboard's available real estate. The rings around the center vents also serve as the A/C control dials -- very cool! This car has the 8-speed automatic transmission, but you can get all three engines with a six-speed manual.

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible front seat

When Chevrolet downsized the Camaro, they had to squeeze the interior a bit. There are no door pockets, which is rather inconvenient. But other than that, the front seats are comfortable.

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible back seat

The Camaro coupe doesn't have much back seat space, and with the hard tonneau cover (and its associated hardware), there's even less in the convertible because the back seat is narrower. No matter, as you'll need this space for luggage owing to the undersized trunk.

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2016 Chevrolet Convertible top switch

The Camaro's top now operates with a single switch; they've eliminated the latch from the old car, which is good. You can raise and lower the top at speeds up to 30 MPH, which is better. But with the top switch located on the windshield frame, you have to watch where you put your fingers -- if you close the top with your thumb (which I did), you can get your fingers caught between the top and the windshield frame (which I nearly did, as seen here).

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible window switches

Camaro convertible has two buttons for four windows; two more buttons switch between front and rear windows. There has to be an easier way. In fact, there is... on nearly every other convertible made.

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro convertible trunk

The Camaro coupe's trunk is small, and the convertible's trunk is even smaller -- but how small I can't say, since at the time of writing Chevy hadn't published its volume. Maybe it's too small to measure. The top folds down into the trunk, and a cloth divider (shown here in place; the tan bits behind it are the roof) cordons off what space is left. My medium-sized backpack takes up nearly half of what room is left over.

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertilble engine

2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible engine. Photo © Aaron Gold

The convertible is offered with all three of the Camaro's engines, including the new 275 hp turbo four (which I tested -- and absolutely adored -- in the Camaro coupe), the 3.6 liter V6, and the big momma shown here -- that would be the 455 horsepower 6.2 liter V8. Equipped with Chevrolet's dual-mode exhaust, the big V8 sounds simply divine, and I mean that literally... it thunders like an angry god. Acceleration from all three engines is rapid, but the V8 will launch you clear into next week before you even realize what has happened.

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible in Death Valley

I shot this photo on a dirt road in Death Valley; I guess I was in a bit of an artistic mood, and I thought the light-colored dust looked cool on the Camaro's dark gray flanks. More importantly, the dirt road gave me a chance to check out the Camaro's structural integrity. Many convertibles would hake and shudder over a surface like this, but the Camaro felt remarkably solid. That's a sign of good convertible engineering.