Chevrolet Cars Online: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6

No more guessing. No more hype. No more waiting. At long last, Chevrolet has opened the doors to its feverishly awaited 2010 Chevy Camaro sport coupe, and we’ve enjoyed a thorough shakedown run (in a “99%” prototype).

Let’s not keep you in suspense any longer. The envelope, please: Chevy’s new two-door is…very good. Very, very, very good. At the risk of inducing insider trading, now would be a good time to sell your Mustang stock.

The 99% prototype is admittedly rough around the edges-awful paint, not all parts to production shape, some interior bits held in place with tape while engineers test final pieces — but in terms of hardware it’s a “nearly done” Camaro. With minor tweaks, this is the car you’ll be able to get by March.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro V6 Front Motion

For this early drive, Chevy served up only the base, V-6 version of its new ponycar (V-8 drives will follow in about two months), but that quickly proved no disappointment. The headline news: The “base” engine is the same DOHC, 24-valve 3.6L V-6 that serves in the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Cadillac CTS. Outfitted with variable valve timing and direct injection, this high-tech beauty will romp with more than 300 hp (final output is still TBD) and should deliver EPA city/highway fuel economy ratings of least 18/26 mpg — though Chevy is aiming for 19/27 mpg.

Even GM loyalists must be pinching themselves. After so many years of second- or third-rate powerplants appearing in brand-new GM vehicles, seeing this superstar engine make its debut at launch time speaks volumes about the winning mindset of the New General. The development team, a dedicated cadre of Aussies well versed in building fast, rear-drive cars for GM division Holden, fought the good fight to get project money spent where it would do the most good. The result: premium engine hardware, sophisticated chassis moves, a gorgeous shape unmarred by “convenient” production compromises. You want a navigation system? Too bad — the Holden development crew figured you’d rather they spend the money on things like surgically precise steering and bourbon-smooth six-speed transmissions (besides, all new Camaros will offer OnStar turn-by-turn route guidance).

Yes, two six-speeds will be offered with the V-6 (and, by the way, the V-8): an Aisin manual and a HydroMatic automatic with wheel-mounted manual shift buttons (the V-8 manual will be a Tremec unit). All base Camaros will be equipped with an FE2 suspension package, though chief engineer Doug Houlihan says Chevy is “considering” adding, as an option, the uprated FE3 suspension that’ll be standard on V-8 cars. Base tires are 245/55R18 M+S BFGoodrich Traction T/As on 18-in. alloys; optional rubber will include 19- and 20-in. Pirellis (the latter available in summer or snow versions) plus an available 21-in. wheel-and-tire upgrade (summer only). Brakes are single-piston calipers all around, with cast-iron rotors (12.6 in.) up front and aluminum discs (12.4 in.) in back. (All Camaro V-8s will sport bigger, four-piston Brembo binders and a larger master cylinder for improved brake feel.) An optional RS package will include the 20-in. rims plus HID headlamps, a rear spoiler, and door-sill trim, among other upgrades.

Chevrolet Cars Online

Friday, October 23, 2009

2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6

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