The Chevrolet Camaro was launched for model year 1967 to compete with Ford’s Mustang, and the “Pony Wars” had begun, and four generations of Camaro were produced before production ended in 2002. Chevy chose “Camaro” for this Pony icon’s name, and while Camaro has no English derivative, GM marketers said, “the name suggests the comradeship of good friends as a personal car should be to its owner." When asked, "What is a Camaro?" the response was "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.”

Reintroduced in 2009, with Gen-5, the current 6th-generation of Camaro came to life in 2015 for the 2016 model year. It has undergone a few cosmetic changes each year since, with new front fascias and grillework on several trims, moving the “Bowtie” logo to the upper grille opening, and an evolving rear fascia with sculpted LED taillamps. 

Available in seven trims, one distinct, almost stand-alone version is the top-of-the line ZL1 I tested. ZL1 is Camaro’s most powerful configuration, outfitted with the same 6.2-liter 650-hp engine that powers up the Corvette ZO6.  While changes for the lower-hp Camaros -- 2.0-liter 275-hp turbo, 3.6-liter 335-hp V-6 and 6.2-liter 455-hp engine choices – include a redesigned front fascia for the SS trim, a modified version of a 10-speed automatic engine now available in the V-6, some small features swapped, and the addition of the LT1 model, only two minor changes affect the ZL1. A sharp-looking Rally Green Metallic exterior paint is available (to top a palette of 10 colors) and you can get red kneepads. Other than that, the ZL1 is so packed with features that it needs very little extra, and my test ride pretty much stood pat with its standard accouterments.

Among the standard enhancements are a Chevrolet Infotainment system with 8-inch color touchscreen and available navigation; a full-display rear camera mirror with improved, high-definition view quality; Forward Collision Alert; upscale ambient lighting; wireless charging feature and Performance Data Recorder.

The ZL1 treatment sets itself apart from other Camaros with forged 20-inch alloy wheels, sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, heated exterior mirrors, LED daytime running lamps, and a special ZL1 rear spoiler. ZL1 aerodynamic upgrades include huge air intakes and wind deflectors, while available performance packages add downforce and track hotness.

From its black carbon fiber weave hood insert to its rear air wing, the Camaro ZL1 is muscular, aggressive, sporty and head turning. The huge black undergrille, and slender overgrille with “Bowtie” badge charge ahead with a low and wide road-hugging stance, augmented by bold cooling ducts, ground effects wings and sculpted character lines.

The ZL1 Camaro is a muscle-car beast, measuring 190.2 inches long, 74.7 wide and 52.4 inches high, on a 110.7-inch wheelbase. My test manual (stick) Coupe weighed in at 3883 lbs. (curb weight). 

Camaro is muscular and worth getting behind the wheel just because it looks so good, but with ZL1, you also get 650 horses and 650 lb-ft of torque from its standard 6.2-liter LT4 direct-injected V-8 engine. With jetlike response and growl, ZL1 has Corvette-like acceleration and stay-power. On the track, my test Coupe finished off a zero-to-60mph sprint in 3.5 seconds (hand-timed) during a quarter-mile run of 11.5 seconds. 

A street-legal track star, Camaro ZL1 uses ZF rack-mounted electric, power-assisted and variable ratio rack-and-pinion steering to shred an autocross, and the MacPherson-type front struts with dual lower ball joints, twin-tube struts and direct-acting stabilizer bar worked in concert with an Independent five-link rear to supply a driver’s feel and passenger smoothness over the road. 

The ZL1 Coupe cockpit was cozy and packed with infotainment, keyless access with push-button start, cruise control, power trunk release, manual rake and telescopic steering wheel, suede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob, Red seat belts, and all the necessary connectivity and tech.

Coupes tend to be glovelike and ZL1 conformed with good legroom and shoulder-hunched headroom. You get 36.6 inches of front headroom and legroom of 42.7 inches. Rear accommodations are a snug 33.5 inches of headroom with only 29.9 inches of child-worthy legroom. Shoulder room is accommodating at 55.5 inches in row one and 54.5 behind.

Available in seven trim levels in both Coupe and Convertible configurations, the 2020 Camaro base prices in Coupe form start with the LS at $25,995 manual with a smaller 2.0-liter turbo engine and move all the way up past the LT1 at $34,995 and the 1SS at $38,495, to the top trim ZL1 -- $63,995. A Paddle shift automatic transmission adds about $1595 and Convertibles add about $6500.

I prefer a stick shift for my sports cars, and my 6-speed manual hardtop was eye-catching in Red Hot, though I would have liked the new Rally Green Metallic paint. A Black Metallic center stripe on the roof added $470. The interior was Jet Black with Red accents and seat trim and most other enhancements were excluded for my test ride. With Destination and Freight charges of $995, and a Gas Guzzler Tax of $1700, my 2020 Camaro ZL1 Coupe/1LE was priced-as-tested at $66,165, but some cash allowance incentives could bring that down by $1500, so check with your local dealer.
 
Camaro aficionados can see 53 years of Camaro, and a thousand other Chevrolet and GM vehicles, at the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals at Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds, June 26-27. Home to a diverse group of General Motors vehicles, from vintage muscle to the modern 6th-Generation Camaro, this event was formerly known as the GM Nationals. While focusing on 109 years of the Chevy brand, the weekend isn’t limited to “Bow-Tie” branded cars and trucks and includes all things GM, including a display honoring GMs of the 1970s, 50 Years of Monte Carlo, 50 Years of the Chevelle LS6 454, the annual Novas at Carlisle show, and vehicles old and new. But for Camaro enthusiasts, be sure to check out the 2020 Camaro ZL1.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

The 2020 auction season for Carlisle Auctions shot out of the gate with so much promise as part of its Winter AutoFest Lakeland event in February.  Since then, plans were being formulated for four additional auctions spanning April through November.  Now, with COVID-19 altering what everyone accepted as normal, Carlisle Auctions regretfully announces the cancelation of its Spring auction…kind of.  The cancelation is tied to the in-person experience ONLY, as Carlisle Auctions is pleased to share that a Spring auction will take place online via digital platform Awesome Joe Auctions. 

The Spring auction was scheduled to be auction number two and run in conjunction with Spring Carlisle.  Originally scheduled for late April, the Spring event was twice moved to its current June 17-20 dates.  While plans were in motion for a two-day Spring auction (June 18-19), the reality is, while it’s easier to social distance within a large outdoor venue where foot traffic is in constant motion; the ability to social distance within a smaller, indoor venue where many people stay stationary for prolonged periods of time is not a viable option at this time.  The in-person cancelation is related to 2020 ONLY and it will return starting April 22, 2021.

As noted in the opening paragraph, a digital opportunity now exists with online auction platform Awesome Joe Auctions.  The opportunity to consign or register to bid for this all-new online experience commences on June 17, with the auction itself starting on June 21 at 7 p.m.  The three-day digital opportunity concludes on June 23 at 7 p.m.  Much like Carlisle Auctions, AJA offers a FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee with competitive buyers and sellers fees too.  Best of all, while other cars may be showcased during this timeframe as part of the AJA auction, cars specific to the Spring Carlisle auction will be branded with a Carlisle Auctions logo.  Anyone looking to learn more about the Carlisle Auctions brand and its events should contact Carlisle Auctions at 717-960-6400, while buyer and seller registration for this online experience takes place at www.AwesomeJoeAuctions.com.  Finally, team members from AJA will be on-site at Spring Carlisle positioned within the car corral, offering an opportunity for sellers at Spring Carlisle to consign and sell via their online auction platform.

 

Launched on Cyber Monday 2019, AJA is the new online auction platform for the modern enthusiast that offers a collection of modified, motorsport, classic, exotic, and other commodity autos for collectors, racers, and hobbyists.  Developed by Andy Lally ALIVE® and Carlisle Auctions, Awesome Joe Auctions was created to capture all the excitement of a live car, truck, and motorcycle auction and put it in the palm of every motoring enthusiast’s hand.  The AJA/Carlisle Auctions history includes Carlisle Auctions two more recent auctions, with select “still for sale” consignments from Carlisle Auctions landing (and selling) on the AJA web page (link below). 

In addition to the cancelation of the in-person Spring auction and as a direct result of the auction originally being moved from its April dates to June, Carlisle Auctions has also canceled its Summer Sale auction for 2020.  Further, and also due to COVID-19, the November auction, Sunset-Carlisle in Sarasota, Florida, has also been canceled.  Those three auctions are the only cancellations currently.  Carlisle Auctions is looking forward to its next planned auction, October 1-2 at the Carlisle Expo Center as part of Fall Carlisle.  EVERY canceled 2020 auction WILL RETURN to the Carlisle Auctions schedule in 2021.

“We are disappointed that our loyal enthusiasts won’t be able to enjoy the Spring auction in the same manner that they’ve come to expect over the past few years,” noted Director of Auction Operations Tony Cline.  “Though we’ve had to re-evaluate and re-tool the in-person experience for many of our auctions in 2020 ONLY, we’re confident of two things.  First, the partnership with Awesome Joe Auctions in place of our Spring auction will still give buyers and sellers a chance to do what they do best AND when we return to the Carlisle Expo Center October 1-2 as part of Fall Carlisle, we’ll all be long overdue for a good time with cool cars and great people.” 

Though the in-person Spring auction isn’t happening, plans are still moving forward for Spring Carlisle itself.  The four-day event runs June 17-20 with buyers and sellers converging on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds for parts, merchandise, collectibles and more.

Positioned between the small Encore SUV and the larger Envision and Enclave models, the all-new 2020 Buick Encore GX is essentially, a larger, second-generation Encore, with more passenger and cargo room—nearly 5 cu.ft. more, and two turbo  engine choices. Though the power plants are smaller than what propels the Encore, they provide slightly more power.

As Buick has transitioned to an SUV purveyor, with 90 percent of its sales coming from SUVs, led by the popular Encore, Buick has added Encore GX to sell side by side with Encore, rather than retire the smaller original for a larger re-gen. Buick’s luxury small crossover, Encore, was launched for the 2013 model year, and from its inception, attracted new and younger buyers to the Tri-shield badge. With a combination of luxury features, fuel efficiency and safety, Encore is the signature luxury subcompact crossover in the Buick line. Now, with the new Encore GX, you get all of that in a larger package, with more power and safety.

More upscale, but perhaps less rugged-looking, the Encore GX 5-door subcompact crossover come in three trims: Preferred, Select, and Essence. A Sport Touring Package is available on all trims, with body-colored moldings and a custom grille and wheels, and all Encore GX trims come loaded with such accouterments as push button keyless start, stop-star engine control, engine air filtration monitor Interior, Buick® Infotainment System with 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen, Bluetooth® streaming audio for music and select phones, Apple CarPlay® capability for compatible phone, Android Auto™ capability for compatible phones, embedded apps, Noise control system, active noise cancellation, a comprehensive safety suite and much more.

Encore GX’s sculpted styling, honeycombesque grille, chrome accents and surrounds, portholes on the hood and painted lower panels are all upscale and trendy. And Encore GX fills the bill as a slightly larger small crossover than Encore, measuring three inches longer at 171.4 inches, an inch lower for stability at 64.1 inches, and 1.5 inches wider at 71.4 inches, on a 102.2-inch wheelbase, a gain of 1.6 inches over its Encore sibling. Curbweight for my Encore GX AWD Essence, was 3273 lbs, about 75 lbs. less than the last Encore I test drove.

Inside, Encore GX’s distinctive styling continues with standard cloth and leatherette front bucket seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, driver and front passenger knee bolsters, the 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot and several advanced safety features. 

The comfortable and upscale cabin is packed while accommodating driver and passengers with 39.7 inches of front headroom and 38.0 inches of rear seat headroom, slightly less than Encore. With seating for five (two in front and three in row two), Legroom is about identical to Encore, while shoulder room is about an inch more accommodating. Legroom measures 40.9 inches in row one and 36.0 inches in row two, while shoulder room measures 55.1 in front and 53.6 in the rear.

Buick Encore GX has two power options – a 1.2-liter Ecotec I-3 Turbo and an Ecotec 1.3-liter I-3. While both are smaller than Encore’s 1.4, I-4 Turbo, power for the 1.3 outguns the 1.4 with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft, compared with the 1.4’s 138 horses and 148 lb-ft. The smaller 1.2 is in the hunt at 137hp and 162 lb-ft. The 1.2 is estimated at 26mpg/city and 30mpg/highway, and my 1.3-liter test system is rated at 26/city, 29/highway in AWD configuration. A week of tests garnered an average of 27.7mpg combined over long highway runs and in-town errand runs.

Coupled to a 9-speed automatic transmission, was compliant, stable and predictable. Encore GX is not a sprinter, but there’s enough passing and uphill power for confident driving. Though inclement weather washed out my track tests, the way it accelerated makes me believe that I can do better than the 10.7-second sprint and 18-second quarter-mile my last test Encore accomplished. I think a 10.2-sprint and 17.6 quarter would seem realistic.

Safetywise, The Encore GX’s new standard safety and driver assistance features include Front Pedestrian Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. 

The 2020 Buick Encore GX starts at $24,100 for the Preferred trim in FWD; the Select trim starts at $25,700 in FWD, adding Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, heater front seats, remote start and automatic climate control; and the Essence trim starts at $28,500 in FWD, adding leather-appointed seating, LED headlamps and taillamps, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, air ionizer and 120-volt outlet.

My test Encore GX in Essence trim, upgraded from FWD to AWD and gained the 1.3-liter turbo engine for $2000 extra. Premium colors add $495, but my test ride came in Summit White, as standard, mated to an Ebony leather-appointed interior. The Experience Buick Package ($1995) added SiriusXM, Panoramic Buick sunroof, infotainment, navigation, 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen, 18-inch Medium Android High Gloss wheels with chrome inserts and HD Rear Vision Camera. The hands-free power liftgate added $520; a 7-speaker Bose Premium Audio System added $595; all-weather floor mats were $150 and destination freight charged added $995. That put the sticker-as-tested at $34,755, but a total cash allowance discount of $1500 was available, making the price-as-tested $33,255. Check with your dealer for promotions and discounts.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Officially summer starts on June 20, but for car lovers at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, the first big brand specific summer happening is June 26-27 with the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals.  For 2020, more than 1,000 cars and a few hundred vendors are expected and this year’s event spotlights some special anniversaries, displays and guests along the way.

For two amazing days in Carlisle, the event spotlights 50 years of the Monte Carlo as well as the OFFICIAL Eastern Meet celebrating the Monte Carlo’s 50th!  This takes place within Building T and guests should expect to see some ultra-rare, unique and significant rides along with throngs of passionate enthusiasts.  The Monte Carlo celebration will also include a parade around the grounds on Saturday morning AND cars will come together to form a 50 on the north hill of the fairgrounds.

Along with the aforementioned Monte Carlo bash, 2020 at Carlisle also hosts some amazing cars and for this event, that theme continues.  Plans for this summer include a display honoring GM’s of the 1970s.  This Building T display welcomes cars built between 1970 and 1979 and is open to ALL makes under the GM umbrella, including Oldsmobile, Buick, Pontiac, etc.  In addition, Building T hosts the 50th Anniversary of the LS6 454.

Adjacent to Building T is Building Y and for this special weekend in June, guests can enjoy the always popular Solid Lifter Showroom.  Presented by Super Car Workshop, the building welcomes Yenkos, COPO’s and more.  Each indoor display as well as those outside on the National Parts Depot Showfield are just some of the many great aspects of the event.

Cars aren’t the only stars in 2020.  On June 27, guests can meet TV host Courtney Hansen.  Hansen has been part of Spike TV’s Powerblock, Autoweek’s Vinsetta Garage, PowerNation, Rides on TLC, Million Dollar Motors, Overhaulin’ and more!  She’s also a published author, releasing “The Garage Girl's Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Your Car” in 2007.  Find her in Building T for a FREE autograph, photo or simply pop in to say hi!

Activities are also a big draw and there are plenty planned.  Seminars offer a great automotive education and Friday and Saturday will have more than a few, covering a variety of topics.  In addition, car clubs converge on Carlisle to recruit, socialize and showcase their brand.  There’s also Friday evening track time as part of the real street shootout PLUS the all-NEW exhaust contest and more.

Something else that turns heads and makes the hairs on your body stand up is Nitrofest.  Powered by drag racing legend Bruce Larson, this is a chance for guests to enjoy the sights, sounds and scents of a retired top-fuel drag racing car and experience the start up process.  

To be involved with Chevrolet Nationals weekend, call 717-243-7855 or visit CarlisleEvents.com.  In addition to being able to register to show online, single day and full-event tickets are available.  Registration for the National Parts Depot Showfield is available through the week of the event, with online ticketing discounted through the event itself.  

Since its 1989 launch, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has become the most popular roadster/two-seat convertible sports car in the world, with more than a million vehicles sold. The fourth generation MX-5 was unveiled in 2014, and in late 2016, a new MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback) model was added to the mix, featuring a rigid roof and buttresses that give the silhouette a more coupé-like appearance than the soft-top convertible.

In the sixth year of its current generation, MX-5 Miata gains a few small tweaks including adding as standard, Mazda's i-Activsense suite of driver-assistance features. The package includes forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Also new for the 2020 sports roadster are a trendy new badging font, new keyfob, new exterior and interior color choices, and some top-trim add-ons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability is now standard on Club and Grand Touring models, and the Grand Touring trim gets the sport suspension and limited-slip rear differential that also steadies the Club model.

The rest of the fun-driving sports car that added power and safety upgrades a year ago, remains intact.

I tested the RF (Retractable Fastback) convertible version that seems to be more than simply a convertible, and not quite a hardtop. The RF is more of a fastback that changes at your will, by slipping its retractable roof away in about 13 seconds while keeping its fastback profile. Then in another 13 seconds, the roof and true fastback can resume function. Upon opening, the roof section immediately overhead folds and stows below the buttresses, which lift temporarily out of the way. The glass rear window between the buttresses rolls down to give a more open-air feel and the entire power-folding roof mechanism occupies the same space as the standard manual-folding soft-top, so there’s no loss of trunk space.

The 2020 Mazda Miata MX-5 measures 154.1 inches long, 68.3 inches wide and 48.6 inches high (my RF trim was 49 inches high), on a 90.9-inch wheelbase. Light, at 2432 pounds curbweight for my test ride, and going as low 2338 pounds in some configurations, the MX-5 Miata performs in sports car fashion without sports car power. Minimum ground clearance for my RF trim was 5.32 inches – some trims are under 5 inches.

The interior fits like a cockpit, and seems to glove around the driver and passenger. Interior design and enhancements are upscale, cozy, intuitive and tech-filled. Visibility is excellent even with the top up, and while one would expect a noisy cabin from a roadster, engine and road noise and vibration permeate the environment even with the top in place. The infotainment screen is easy to read, and controls are easy to reach. Fun-driving is the two-seater’s mission, delivered in a tight space of 37.4 inches of headroom (36.8 for the RF), legroom of 43.1 inches and shoulder room of 52.2 inches.

MX-5 power numbers won’t knock your socks off, but they are fine for this light two-seater. MX-5 Miata uses a SKYACTIV 2.0.-liter DOHC 16-valve in-line 4 VVT multi-port electronic fuel injection engine, either manual or coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. The system delivers 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, easily accelerating the light roadster past traffic, up steep inclines, and excitingly along highway cruises, while finishing off a zero-to-60mph test track sprint in 5.7 seconds during a 14.4-second quarter-mile (hand-timed).

The system is EPA rated at 26mpg in city driving and 35mpg on the highway for the automatic and 34mpg for my manual shift. My mixed-use testing that was peppered with a lot of tire smoking and dragstrip acceleration showed an average of 29.9mpg.

A fun drive, the MX-5 was balanced on the road, though quick auto-cross turns exhibited some exciting-to-compensate-for body roll. The suspension allows you feel the road beneath you for full driver engagement.

The 2020 Mazda MX-5 is available in three trims – Sport, Club and Grand Touring -- and the RF is available in two trims – Club and Grand Touring. The MX-5 Sport bases at $26,580 with a manual transmission and 181-hp 2.0-liter engine, and $27,930 for a 6-speed automatic. The Club starts at $30,290 for the stick and $30,890 for the automatic, and adds a rear spoiler, cosmetics and tech; and the Grand Touring trim starts at $31,670 for the manual and $32,195 for an automatic trans, and adds dark finish wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-dimming driver's side mirror, automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats, Mazda Navigation System and more. My test roadster was the RF, starting with the Club in manual at $33,045 and Grand Touring at $34,425. For me, a roadster isn’t a roadster if it doesn’t have a stick, so I saved $325 by NOT getting an automatic on my Grand Touring trim.

The Eternal Blue exterior paint was at no extra charge, but I would have preferred Jet Black Mica (no charge) or Soul Red Crystal Metallic for $595. Already packed with standard items, no other cosmetic or weather packages were in my build. With a destination fee of $945, my test 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF stickered at $35,370.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>