There is no shortage of cool tech in the automotive industry nowadays. Many newer cars come flush with gadgets and features designed to give you the ultimate experience—take, for instance, the 2023 Chevy Camaro. This exhilarating sports car offers as many nifty features as it does thrills.
The only problem is that, for a lot of these features, you need to already know what they are to understand how they will benefit you. We cannot blame car companies for giving their sweet tech even sweeter names; after all, “Carbon Flash paint” sounds a whole lot more appealing than “paint with sparkly bits in it.” Many companies also choose to give their own distinct names to common mechanical doodads, which can complicate matters considerably more if you are not a natural gearhead. So, to get a better understanding of just how awesome the 2023 Chevy Camaro is, let us take a closer look at some of its coolest—but perhaps confusing—features.
Dual-Mode Exhaust
If you take a look at the 2023 Camaro, you will see two exhaust outlets on either side of the car; this is GM’s Dual-Mode Exhaust system. Electronically controlled valves within the mufflers adjust the flow of the exhaust depending on driving conditions. For improved performance, these valves can be opened, thus elevating horsepower by minimizing back pressure from the exhaust. (Back pressure is when the exhaust from the engine tries to escape through the exhaust pipes but gets forced back in due to a restricted outlet.)
The Dual-Mode Exhaust has several settings, ranging from mild to wild. More specifically, it ranges from a quieter touring mode all the way to a no-holds-barred track mode that increases not only performance but sound. Not to mention, the dual exhausts look pretty cool.
Active Rev Matching
When browsing all the features of the 2023 Chevy Camaro, you may notice that the six-speed manual transmission also includes Active Rev Matching; this is a feature specifically for manual transmissions that provides smooth transitioning between gears, much like an automatic. Typically, driving a vehicle with a manual transmission takes some finesse, especially if driving with an H-style gearbox. Experienced drivers know that maintaining the proper RPM while downshifting is important; when in gear, the transmission and engine run in harmony. However, when manually switching gears, the transmission and engine can lose that harmonious syncing. (Mismatched RPM can negatively impact many of the components in your vehicle.)
When depressing the clutch and downshifting, the RPMs drop to near idling. When downshifting is complete and the driver removes their foot from the clutch pedal, the engine then begins to speed up, causing an interruption between the transmission and the engine. This interruption can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the drivetrain, and it can also cause the wheel to lock up depending on how much throttle is used during downshifting.
Improper shifting can cause a harsh and jerky ride as the powertrain tries to get back into sync. For a performance vehicle, manually shifting can also negatively impact performance; mismatched RPMs can cause loss of grip, unnecessary braking, and more. To avoid this happening, drivers can perform what is called a “throttle blip.”
A throttle blip is when the driver quickly presses on the throttle during downshifting, providing a sufficient increase in the engine’s RPMs. This can require some fast footwork, but it is crucial for preserving vital powertrain components. Thankfully, with Active Rev Matching, throttle blipping is a thing of the past. So, if your plan is to take the Camaro to the drag strip, you don’t have to worry about practicing your fancy footwork!
Active Rev Matching uses sensors and programming to determine when downshifting occurs and at what speed; the engine control module then holds the RPMs during downshifting, so no loss of power is experienced. Once the driver has finished shifting, control over the speed of the vehicle reverts to the driver. This eliminates the need for throttle blipping and provides a smoother driving experience while also sparing your valuable powertrain components from grievous injury.
Magnetic Ride Control
If you are looking for improved performance on the track—or better handling and comfort on the road—then Magnetic Ride Control is for you. At first glance, it may seem like straight-up voodoo, but its mechanics are actually quite scientific. Magnetic Ride Control has been used for quite a while—typically on performance and higher-end vehicles—and it’s becoming more refined and cheaper every year. Essentially, it is an adaptive suspension technology that reacts to its environment. Sensors in the vehicle detect changes in road conditions; based on need, the suspension’s level of stiffness is adjusted. This is achieved by using—you guessed it—electromagnets. (How cool is that?)
This technology uses a suspension component called a “damper” that is filled with magnetorheological fluid; this fluid is basically a type of oil with iron flecks in it. When in use, electromagnets change the viscosity of the fluid via a magnetic field, and the fluid can be made to move quickly or incredibly slowly, thereby impacting how stiff the suspension is. The outcome is nearly instantaneous suspension changes; and by having an adjustable suspension, the Camaro can serve more than one purpose. It can be softened for a smooth and comfortable ride for everyday use and then switched to performance mode for improved handling and control. Magnetic Ride Control conveniently offers the best of both worlds.
Launch Control With Line Lock
Launch Control is not a GM- or Chevy-specific term, but that doesn’t mean it is self-explanatory. Launch Control is a feature that takes the guesswork out of having the perfect take-off. If you are familiar with racing, then you know that the quicker you can take off from your start position, the better off you are in the long run.
Having precise control over how much your wheels grip and how much they slip is important in achieving a great launch. Another important aspect is finding your optimal launch RPM and maintaining it on the power band. Holding your vehicle at the right spot on the power band can be difficult and would be nearly impossible to do as accurately as a computer program; with Launch Control, you can adjust both launch RPM and wheel slippage.
Another available feature—to go hand-in-hand with Launch Control—is Line Lock. Warming up your tires before a race improves traction, which can improve take-off; Line Lock will lock the front wheels and allow the rear wheels to spin, warming them up prior to initiating Launch Control. Of course, the best side-effect of Line Lock is being able to perform the sickest burnout. (Go make Vin Diesel proud!)
Take Charge of the Track
The 2023 Chevy Camaro has plenty of awesome features, and knowing what they are and how they work only makes them better. You don’t need to be a professional race car driver to drive like one on the track, especially with the Camaro doing so much to assist along the way. And that is exactly what it does—assisting you without removing that hands-on experience.
Technology has come a long way in just the last decade. Cars are smarter and more capable than ever before. Thankfully, car manufacturers understand that there still needs to be that connection between driver and machine; technology should enhance the driving experience, not take it away. That’s exactly what you get with the Camaro: an enhanced and unparalleled experience guaranteed to thrill.
