Road Test: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V6
An American Icon Returns to the Street
Review and photos by Russell Purcell
Regular readers will recall that we took a first look at Chevrolet’s Camaro in our July issue, but interest is so high in this new car that I chose to use my week with the car to gauge the reaction of the public to GM’s latest hope, a car that really needs to succeed to help rebuild the company’s bruised reputation in the marketplace.
In a typical week, I may be approached by two or three people who have a question about whatever vehicle I may be driving, but I was not ready for the reaction that would be caused by the new Camaro (and a V6 one at that!) I lost count at twenty-six. Thank goodness I wasn’t in an SS!
The big question was usually about power. Everyone wanted to know what was under the hood. The Victory Red test unit was a 2LT-trimmed V6 RS which possessed similar curb appeal to its ‘SS’ big brother, as it came equipped with 20-inch wheels, high-intensity discharge headlights, and the subtle trim and styling tweaks of the Rally Sport package. But this was no sheep in wolf’s clothing. The V6-equipped Camaro is surprisingly racy.
When discussion led to the car’s handling and performance, most were surprised by my obvious satisfaction with the V6 power plant. I spent several days behind the wheel of this car scouting for photo locations, and the mix of backcountry roads, twisty canyons, and arterial highways revealed that this car offers a wonderful mix of capabilities. It is quiet and civil when putting about or cruising happily on the freeway, but when you want to have some fun, the car is equally at home hard charging through fast corners and gobbling up long stretches of asphalt at triple-digit speeds.
I live in an area where original first-generation Camaros are quite abundant, so almost every individual who stopped to chat with me about the car’s design would point out which styling cues they thought hearkened back to the cars of the late 1960s. The wide grille, big fender shoulders, twin taillights and curvaceous lines of the body all earned high praise with the man (and woman) on the street.
The consensus seemed to be that the exterior styling was a home run. The one major complaint was that the shark gill-like stampings just aft of the doors weren’t actual cut-outs, leaving the car looking unfinished. The interior styling was a contentious issue for some observers. Some thought it looked cluttered, while others didn’t think the shapes and quality of the materials were very well matched to the sexy bodywork. On the other hand, everyone liked the retro gauge cluster. I found myself warming up to the overall look of the interior as each day passed, but at 6’2” tall, I found myself wanting more headroom. The chopped roofline also made visibility an issue for me, a problem compounded by rather puny side mirrors and the massive blind spots created by the wide C-pillars. I had to remind myself that this is a muscle car and that these are elements that come with that designation.
The 3.6-litre V6 engine features variable valve timing and direct fuel injection, resulting in a healthy 304 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Owners of manual transmission-equipped cars will relish in the knowledge that they are driving the most fuel efficient V6-powered car in the country. Although my test car had the six-speed automatic, by using the steering-wheel mounted controls and “sport” mode, I was able to satisfy most of my enthusiast needs. Acceleration is quite strong, but the power band of the V6 doesn’t seem to come to life until the car is in second gear.
The stiffness of the body is evident as soon as you hit a slalom course or toss the car into a series of cornering manoeuvres. Body roll is minimal and the chassis does an excellent job of keeping the tires planted and the car tracking where you want it to go. GM’s proven StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and 4-channel ABS brakes with hydraulic brake assist are on board as a safety net should your enthusiasm outstrip your driving skill.
The suspension, steering and brakes all provided excellent feedback to the driver, and when driven hard it was easy to forget that the car only had a V6 under the hood. That is, of course, until you heard the exhaust note. Noise has been so well-isolated from the car’s cabin that it proves an excellent listening chamber for music or conversation, but I found myself hungry for the angry sound of a big V8 and free flowing exhaust.
Unlike their counterparts at Ford (Mustang) and Dodge (Challenger), Chevrolet’s marketing team is casting a wider net with this car, hoping that as many as two-thirds of Camaro sales will be to what they refer to as “Life Enthusiasts,” those people looking to express themselves through the car’s styling and design, rather than the typical muscle car buyer (Performance Enthusiasts) who seek power and performance. They know that members of the latter group will no doubt take a look at the Camaro, as many former Camaro owners have been salivating for this car since the demise of the fourth generation in 2002, but it is this new group of customers that will make or break the success of Chevrolet’s re-born pony car.
Specifications:
2010 Chevrolet Camaro V6
Base price (MSRP): ————————————————$26,995
Price as tested: ——————————————————$36,235
Type:——————————————-2-door, 4 passenger coupe
Layout:————————————Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine: —————————————————————–3.6L V6
Horsepower: ———————————————304 @ 6,400 rpm
Torque: ———————————————-273 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm
Transmission: ——-6-speed manual (optional -6-speed automatic with TAPshift)
Brakes: ————————————————————–disc / disc
Fuel economy (L/100km): ————————–11.4 City / 6.9 Hwy
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