The spec sheet says variable ratio rack and pinion, but the next line says it has a 16:1 ratio. So, which is it do you think? Maybe they mean variable assist and not ratio.
I actually hope it is not variable ratio; I have heard only bad things about BMW's variable ratio steering. It seems that the change in ratio is not subtle enough and just feels too artificial.
One thing of note: the Camaro has about the same turning circle as a Cobalt. This is surprising given the longer wheelbase.

 

Now that the dealer sheet has come out. I see that it again mentions a variable ratio steering rack. Does anyone out there know anything about this?

 

I'm sure they mean that it's variable assist. You'll get more boost at slower speeds, then it will firm up the faster you go.

 

Variable Ratio would come from electric steering, something that was found on the 04-07 Malibu's and G6's, Cobalt, and a lot of BMW's.
I belive BMW calls it "Active Steering". I have actually heard good things about BMW's active steering?

 

Wheelbase has zilch, zero, and nada to do with turning radius. It's how far the front chassis allows the front wheels to turn till it stops it.

Big MN12 Thunderbirds had a wheelbase of 113" and a turning radius of 36.6 feet.
Meanwhile, 4th gen Camaro's wheelbase was 101" yet had a radius of 40.8.

I could turn my large Thunderbird around in far less space than my Camaro.

Also, the longer wheelbase new Camaro (112) turns in a marginally smaller diameter (37.7) than the shorter wheelbase Mustang (107" wheelbase & 38 ft circle)......though the Camaro still can't touch the big Thunderbird.

Again, wheelbase has squat to do with turning radius.

 

It does have to do with turning radius. But the amount the wheels turn certainly has a strong bearing on it too.

To estimate the radius you can use 2 * (L / sine(90-A))

L = length of wheelbase

A is the angle of the line drawn from the center of the offside tire to the point where the nearside tire centerline intersects the rear axle centerline.

 

Thanks for the replies. I also just noticed that the Corvette is getting this variable ratio steering for 2009.
I also recently read that Audi has a system like this. The editor said that the car seemed to handle great and the steering seemed to be very accurate. But he said that it seemed to be programed to make it seem like the car was better than it was. It appears that the steering ratio can change to work in sync with the stability control.
Is this a problem? It is hard to say. If a car responds to your wishes, does it matter if it was all your input, or a mixture of yours and the computers?

 

Who needs turning radius? I just lock the wheel to one side, slam on the gas, and the rear wheels do the work for me. I tend to turn around pretty quick, and in tight places even with the Caprice.

 

Good to see that it'll be somewhat shorter. 4th gens are battleships in tight parking lots, man that is annoying.

 

Yup....I taught myself that technique about 25 years ago .

.....my wife's not real impressed when I do it with her in the car though