For most of the past four decades, the Chevrolet Camaro has been the poster car of young (and not so young) speed freaks and boulevardiers alike. You know, the type of folks who value the rumble and thrust of a small-block V8 and sleek styling as much as would-be Hollywood starlets value a photo op.
Starting out in the late 1960s as an answer to the Ford Mustang, the early Chevrolet Camaro could be had in coupe or convertible form and with six-cylinder or V8 power. As the Camaro went through the '70s, it, like other sporty cars of the era, lost performance and gained more stripes and spoilers. It wasn't until the mid-'80s, when the Camaro once again had some respectable power under the hood along with an athletic chassis that the popular pony car regained its performance reputation.
The fourth-generation Camaro, which bowed in the early '90s, still offered V8 power, a rear-drive chassis, swoopy styling and a choice of coupe or convertible bodies. The V8 cranked out more than 300 horsepower and 13-second quarter-miles in Z28 and SS form. Though an outstanding performance bargain, this Camaro became increasingly aged as the years went by. For many consumers, it came across as unrefined and even crude, especially when compared to other sport coupes and convertibles. Sales were weak, and Chevrolet pulled the plug after 2002.
However, no nameplate with this much heritage and brand awareness could stay dead for long. An all-new Chevrolet Camaro, complete with retro styling and over 400 horsepower available, returned to Chevrolet showrooms for the 2010 model year. Whether one chooses the V6 model or the muscle-bound SS, the newest Camaro offers plenty of tire-spinning performance and head-turning looks, though drivers do pay a price in the form of compromised outward visibility and some ergonomic miscues.
Current Chevrolet CamaroThe Chevrolet Camaro is available as a two-door coupe or convertible and in base LS, midgrade LT and high-performance SS trim levels. The Camaro LS and LT pack a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 312 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the V6, and a six-speed automatic is available. The Camaro SS is equipped with a powerful 6.2-liter V8 matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The manual-gearbox SS cranks out 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, while the automatic version is tuned to "just" 400 hp and 410 lb-ft.
On the road any of these Camaros will provide brisk performance, a good ride and respectable handling, while the SS versions should satisfy the most ardent acceleration addicts. However, in day-to-day driving, the poor outward visibility, mediocre cabin trim and oddly shaped steering wheel rim could be deal-breakers. As such, we'd advise potential buyers to also consider the Camaro's now equally speedy but ergonomically superior Ford foe, the Mustang.
source:edmunds.com
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