Vehcle: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS with Inferno Orange Trim Pkg, Rally Sport Pkg and sunroof
Price as tested: CDN$45545

Performance: As with any American muscle cars, the new Camaro is available with both a V6 and V8. The subject of our tester, of course, is the SS with General’s very well-proven 6.2 liter pushrod V8. This V8 is good for 426 horses and 420 lb/ft of torque. When it comes to torque, there is nothing comes quite close to traditional American pushrod V8. And this Camaro is a perfect example. The maximum torque of 408 lb/ft arrives at just 4500 rpm might seem high on paper. The excitement and joy of dropping the anchor is no comparison. There are just plenty of power whenever you want to rev this baby. Only if fuel prices are a main concern, the V8 should be the engine of choice in the Camaro range. After years of evolving the pushrod motor, GM has engineered this OHV engine to have world-class refinement and smoothness which are able to match many of the world’s finest DOHC V8. Matched with this engine is a smooth 6-speed manual gearbox. The throws are short and precise, without the mushy and numb feel as in the previous Camaro. The same goes for the progressive clutch which provide decent feedback. Best of all, the gearbox provides excellent ratios for both low-end acceleration and top-end highway cruising. Although the Camaro V8 comes standard with cylinder deactivation system, we are only manage to get an average of 15 liters per 100km.

Handling: With a newfound rear-drive platform and a well-calibrated suspension, it makes the new Camaro handles as sweetly as any rear-wheel-drive European counterparts. Unlike the previous Camaro, which is primarily a quarter miler. The new one is a very capable sports car when you pushed through hairpins. Along with an excellent chassis that is strong and solid, the ideal 50/50 weight distribution and a supple suspension make it as a good driver’s companion on black top twisties. The steering provides feel and feedback that you only found in a Porsche. On the other hand, GM’s Stabiliztrak has provided a high threshold as enthuisasts want to push the Camaro harder through corners. Its also acts as a helping hand whenever driver rears its ugly heads. Both the body rolls and understeer are minimal, while the Stabiliztrak allows enough thresold for a bit of oversteer. The biggest surprise is how good Camaro rides on all the roughness and patholes we called Canadian roads. The ride is firm but far from being harsh. It is a sports car that you can drive on a daily basis. The whole driving experience is very sophiscated and refined, something we can’t imagine while driven its forebears, which were cruel and rough around the edges. In the past, muscle car stands for rude and cruel straight-line cruiser. Nowaday, they have transformed themselves into a sophiscated yet classy sports car. The new Camaro is the best testament to this transformation.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, the Camaro’s braking performance certainly match up with its performance counterparts. Unlike GM’s brakes of the past, the new Camaro’s pedal feel actually has some lives to it. The pedal feel and modulation are excellent. The ABS doesn’t have any unwanted intervention as with any of the previous General products.

Interior: While its generally understandable that GM wants to reincarnate the original Camaro, when it comes to exterior and interior styling. It just doesn’t transform good enough when it comes to ergonomics and “feel good” factor. Let’s forgot those cheap and hard plastic that have been surrounded the Camaro’s center console and dashboard, which is unacceptable consider how good Chevrolet have done with Malibu’s materials. Another problem is all the gauge layout seems too oddball, even those climate control knobs don’t feel particularly user-friendly even if they are easy to figure out. However, those sports seats are comfortable and very supportive. Not to mention the rear sightlines are almost non-existence. Even for an enthuisast, a rear parking sensors are needed in this Camaro.

As with any sports car, the backseat of the Camaro is cramped and hard to get in. Same goes for the tiny trunk.

Conclusion: Chevrolet has done a wonderful job with the new Camaro. Not only does it look great, it also have enough grace and pace to match. The sweet powertrain, an awesome chassis and superb brakes. The best of all, it got a price tag that could make it a new performance bargain. One has to wonder. If GM has injected just a bit of magic of this Camaro into other products, they probably wouldn’t end up in bankruptcy court today.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 4/5