2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
After seven years on hiatus, Chevrolet’s iconic Camaro muscle car is back. Armed with both a base V6 engine and a powerful V8 under the hood of its SS models, the Camaro is poised to give Ford’s Mustang and Dodge’s Challenger a run for their money.
I had the chance to drive both V8 and V6 versions of the new Camaro around southeastern Wisconsin, and here’s what I found.
The Basics
The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Camaro shares its platform with the Pontiac G8 sedan, and is available with two engines: A 3.6-liter V6 in LS and LT models, and a 6.2-liter V8 in SS models. The six makes 304 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while V8 models equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission make 426 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. When paired with the available 6-speed automatic transmission, SS models make 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are available with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. V6 automatics are rated at 17 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the manual and 18 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the automatic. V8 models are rated at 16 mpg city with either transmission and 24 mpg highway with the manual, 25 mpg highway with the automatic. SS models with the automatic have GM's cylinder-deactivation system.
Available features on Camaro include satellite radio, an uplevel audio system, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, a wireless cell phone link, leather seating surfaces, and a USB port. An available RS package includes bi-xenon headlamps to go along with some exterior trim modifications and RS badging. Available safety features include ABS, an antiskid system, traction control, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. On SS models, a “Competitive” mode is available on the antiskid system, this allows for more tail-out oversteer than usual before the electronics cut in on the fun. A “Performance Launch Control” feature is standard on SS models with the manual transmission--this feature uses computer software to allow the correct amount of wheel spin for perfect launches from a dead stop. Pricing ranges from $22,995 for a base V6 to $30,995 for a base SS.
The styling is meant to evoke the original Camaro from 1967, both inside and out. The exterior has a muscular look, with a low-slung roofline and flared rear fenders. The retro theme continues in the instrument cluster--the speedometer and tachometer are round in shape and deeply recessed, and most of the auxiliary gauges are housed low in the center stack, in a move meant to recall muscle cars past.
While the Camaro’s natural rivals are the Mustang and Challenger, GM is hoping that the car will bring in buyers who might not have considered this type of car--or even a GM product--before. GM representatives emphasized that the company wants the Camaro to appeal to more than just Camaro loyalists or performance-car buyers. To that end, just how does Camaro perform?
Drive Impressions
My morning started out behind the wheel of a Camaro SS with the 6-speed automatic--not a bad way to start the day. The SS offered plenty of strong acceleration even from low in the rev band, and the automatic transmission proved to be a willing accomplice. Passing on two-lanes was a breeze, thanks to the 400 ponies hiding out beneath the hood.
Road noise is better-filtered than in a Challenger SRT8, the SS is much quieter at cruise than its Hemi-powered rival. The ride is stiff, but not extremely so, it handles most patches of broken pavement without any drama--and without causing drivers to call their chiropractor. The handling was generally flat and neutral, and the brakes were smooth and strong, which is to be expected, since SS versions use Brembo-brand brakes.
I did get a chance to pilot a SS with the 6-speed manual around the great Road America racetrack in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for a lap, and I found that the extra 26 horses were noticeable under acceleration. I also noticed more that the car had more of a tendency to oversteer when pushed hard into a corner. Not sure if this was a function of the greater speed achieved on the track, or if the previous driver had flipped the antiskid system into “Competitive” mode when I wasn’t looking.
There were a few complaints: The seats are a bit too stiff for long-haul comfort, and there is too much hard plastic in the interior. The controls for the driver information center--a digital readout that allows drivers to track fuel economy and average speed, among other things--are mounted on the turn-signal stalk, it took me quite a while before I figured that out. Rear-seat room isn’t much, which isn’t surprising, given that this is a sporty 2-door coupe, and the trunk has a small opening and very high liftover.
The V6 isn’t markedly different from V8 versions. Like the V8, the V6 pulls away from a stop strongly, but with a more guttural growl that just isn’t as pleasing to the ears. The base interior is a little bit more down-market--for example, where the SS had leather trim on top of the center console, the V6 had hard plastic. At least the leather interior from the SS is optional on 2LT models. Back on the road, the V6 handles almost as well as the V8 version--the difference between the two cars in corners was negligible. Ride quality was similar, too.
As far as that retro-themed styling goes, well, some are going to love, others will hate it. Styling is obviously a subjective matter, and the Camaro’s beauty or lack thereof will be in the eye of the beholder.
Final Thoughts
Chevy has a lot riding on Camaro. After a seven-year hiatus, Chevy is counting on Camaro to not only compete with the Mustang and Challenger, but to bring new buyers into the brand.
On its own merits, Camaro meets the expectations of a “pony” car well enough. I can’t say if it’s objectively better than a Mustang since I haven’t had enough seat time yet in the 2010 Mustang. I can say it offers a slightly different experience than the larger and similarly powered Challenger SRT8, although both cars stand out in a crowd. The new Camaro is fast, handles well, and looks and sounds appropriately sporty. Its ride is a strong point--it’s very civilized and composed around town for such a sporty car. The SS is also quieter than an SRT8 Challenger, which makes it a tad more livable for daily commuting. Still, it’s hard to say if Camaro will win over many Mustang or Challenger loyalists--not through any fault of its own, but because enthusiast buyers are often fiercely loyal to one make or the other in this class.
Will Camaro draw more buyers into the Chevy fold? I think so, for several reasons. Many buyers will want to own one of the first new Camaros, others will be drawn to it from its movie appearances in “Transformers” and “Transformers 2,” and shoppers in this class who have never purchased a “pony car” before may like it better than its rivals. The real question for Chevy is, will Camaro buyers stay with the brand when it’s time to trade the car in? Only time will tell.
Overall, Camaro is a solid entry in the class. It’s nice to see the Mustang/Camaro rivalry renewed, and now that Challenger is part of the mix, it’s an interesting time for fans of affordable American muscle. Let the Saturday night drag-strip shootouts begin.
Positives: Lots of go, that retro-themed styling (for those who love it), civilized around-town behavior
Negatives: Too much interior plastic, that retro-themed styling (for those who hate it), stiff seats
Base Price: $22,995 (V6 models), $30,995 (SS models)
Key Competitors: Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, Nissan 370Z
Specifications
Engine: 3.6-liter V6, 6.2-liter V8
Horsepower: 304 @ 6,400 RPM (V6), 426 @ 5,900 RPM (V8 w/manual transmission), 400 @ 5,900 (V8 w/automatic transmission)
Torque: 273 lb-ft @ 5,200 RPM (V6), 420 lb-ft @ 4,600 RPM (V8 w/manual transmission), 410 @ 4,300 (V8 w/automatic transmission)
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 112.3 inches
Length: 190.4 inches
Width: 75.5 inches
Height: 54.2 inches
Curb Weight: 3,769 lb
Cargo Volume: 11.3 cu. ft.
Fuel Capacity: 19 gallons
Seating Capacity: 4
Front Head Room: 37.4 inches
Front Leg Room: 42.4 inches
Rear Head Room: 35.3 inches
Rear Leg Room: 29.9 inches
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