2017 Chevrolet Camaro release date, specs: Late 2016 release to have $26K starting price tag

Featured in the image is the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.Chevrolet

Set to be released later this year, Chevrolet pegs the 2017 Camaro lineup to have a starting price tag of $26,000.

The starting price tag for the basic model is already listed on the Chevrolet website. The price tag gets drivers the entry-level 1LT Manual Coupe, fitted with a 2.0-liter turbo. Prices are subject to change since the Camaro is one of the most extensive series in the automaker's lineups. For example, it is also revealed that next to the entry-level Coupe, the 1SS model is priced at $36,905. Accordingly, the most expensive in the lineup is the ZL1 Convertible, with a $67,140 price tag. Though a bit steep than the previous model, it is understandable that the new convertible has the upper-crust price. Reports suggest that Chevrolet has exceeded even its own expectations, outfitting the 2016 Camaro convertible with a new 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine that gives it a maximum of 650 horsepower.

Meanwhile, since the 2016 Camaro series is already listed, it is already expected that the lineups will appear in showrooms sometime soon. This dovetails with previous speculations that the 2017 Camaro series will release in the latter part of the year.

Although declining to set a specific showroom release date, Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer, says that each series iteration is expected to achieve higher benchmarks than what is expected, even with the basic 1LE. Oppenheiser said: "Start with a lightweight, stiff structure and then add higher levels of suspension stiffness and damping, more aggressive tires, higher downforce, more powerful brakes and more cooling. The result delivers better performance in all measures."

Having more options for performance packages, as well as announcing early pre-purchases prior to its late 2016 release, have been in Chevrolet's sights for some time now. Even if the Camaro is one of the most popular lineups for auto fans, it still has to produce enough numbers to topple other iterations. For example, against the Ford Mustang, the current-generation Chevy Camaro only managed to come out with 4,969 units compared with 9,775 Mustangs for the month of June.