2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS Review (video)

If you’re a die-hard Chevy fanatic with the bow-tie badge tattooed to your arm, don’t read any further. After all, you’ve probably ordered a new Camaro already and don’t care much for a professional examination of the car’s strengths and weaknesses.

It almost looks like a concept car, and it was dressed up by a set of 20-inch wheels and a sunroof, too.

However, if you’re one of those new shoppers Chevrolet is trying to reel in with their resurrected retro-rod, you may be interested in a bit more information, and wish to read on.

Crowd-attracting style
Running around in a rush? Don't like making new friends? If so, this is the wrong car for you.

Camaro’s menacing, wide body is accented with halo-ring headlamps, a low-brow grille, dual exhaust and sharp, edgy sculpting. It almost looks like a concept car, and the tester was dressed up by a set of 20-inch chrome wheels and a sunroof, too.

All of the above hardware attract near-irritating quantities of comments, stop-light conversations and surprise crowds in parking lots. Tint the glass if you're shy-- because you're going to be getting looks.

Interestingly, Monte Carlo coupe owners seem to be among the new Camaro's biggest fans.

What's under the hood?
Things have advanced considerably since the days of leaky T-tops and throttle-body fuel injection. Shoppers can now choose between a direct-injected 3.6 litre V6 engine, or a super-manly 6.2 litre V8. The V6 is rated at an exceptional 304 horsepower, and the V8 peaks with over 420.

Each powerplant comes standard with a six-speed manual, and a six-speed automatic with paddle shift is available. The automatic is responsive, and manual-mode shifting is quick enough to warrant its use. Of course, driving enthusiasts will opt to keep the extra $1,400 in their pockets for speeding tickets and car wax.

Eww, it's only the V6?
Some snub their noses at six-banger muscle cars, slotting them into the same category as non-turbo Toyota Supras and Dodge Rams without the HEMI V8.

Call me a great big sissy, but the smaller Camaro engine gets things done just fine. It revs eagerly, sounds mellow and sweet, and moves the hefty car along well. It's no neck-snapper and it doesn't sound like a muscle car-- but it does deliver fantastic entry-level power output.

304 ponies is V8 territory in some cars, not to mention light years ahead what many competitors make from their V6 engines. Even at $27,000, the most basic Camaro gets effectively as much sauce as the optional up-level engine in the Korean Camaro, which Hyundai calls the Genesis Coupe.

Shoppers can now choose between a direct-injected 3.6 litre V6 engine, or a super-manly 6.2 litre V8.