Perhaps more concerning than the disheartening interior is the restrictive sight lines imposed by the low roofline and narrow sheets of glass. Massive ‘A’ pillars further complicate vision, requiring the driver to use extra caution when scanning for pedestrians; but hey, such is the cost of urbane panache.
The Camaro’s not the only car in which visibility has been subjugated in favour of style. Other manufacturers have sacrificed visibility as well, and it’s not an entirely bad thing provided one accounts for it in his/her driving habits.
Once visibility issues are under control, the Camaro is capable of delivering performance that inspires and rewards, even with a V6 beneath its power-dome hood.
Base engine is no slouch
If I chose to rekindle my love of 1960s pony cars by inking a deal on a 2011 Camaro, Mustang or Challenger, the base V6 engine in these vehicles would not fulfill the dream – period. Only the rumble of V8 iron could do that. Personal commentary aside, the V6 mills in all three of these vehicles are nothing to hold contempt for.
GM’s version is mightier than one might think. It displaces 3.6-litres while generating 312 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque @ 5,200 rpm. Not so long ago, those numbers would’ve been thought good for a V8.
Along with V8-like power, the Camaro is fitted with a 6-speed transmission, either in automatic format or manual shifting for the purists. My tester was of the automatic ilk featuring an electronic manual mode. Rather than using conventional shift paddles, GM has mounted a pair of large buttons where the paddles would normally reside.
The button system functions well but paddles would, in my view, be preferable due to their larger size and better ergonomics.
The drive
One doesn’t drive the new Camaro without knowledge that they’re behind the wheel of a performance machine, even if powered by the base engine as my tester was. In about-town driving, the Camaro is a docile machine that’s taut and ready to spring; its firm road manners—perhaps too firm for some—and quick steering response emphasize this persona.
The Camaro’s not the only car in which visibility has been subjugated in favour of style. Other manufacturers have sacrificed visibility as well, and it’s not an entirely bad thing provided one accounts for it in his/her driving habits.
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| It displaces 3.6-litres while generating 312 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque @ 5,200 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Once visibility issues are under control, the Camaro is capable of delivering performance that inspires and rewards, even with a V6 beneath its power-dome hood.
Base engine is no slouch
If I chose to rekindle my love of 1960s pony cars by inking a deal on a 2011 Camaro, Mustang or Challenger, the base V6 engine in these vehicles would not fulfill the dream – period. Only the rumble of V8 iron could do that. Personal commentary aside, the V6 mills in all three of these vehicles are nothing to hold contempt for.
GM’s version is mightier than one might think. It displaces 3.6-litres while generating 312 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque @ 5,200 rpm. Not so long ago, those numbers would’ve been thought good for a V8.
Along with V8-like power, the Camaro is fitted with a 6-speed transmission, either in automatic format or manual shifting for the purists. My tester was of the automatic ilk featuring an electronic manual mode. Rather than using conventional shift paddles, GM has mounted a pair of large buttons where the paddles would normally reside.
The button system functions well but paddles would, in my view, be preferable due to their larger size and better ergonomics.
The drive
One doesn’t drive the new Camaro without knowledge that they’re behind the wheel of a performance machine, even if powered by the base engine as my tester was. In about-town driving, the Camaro is a docile machine that’s taut and ready to spring; its firm road manners—perhaps too firm for some—and quick steering response emphasize this persona.
 |
| The Camaro is fitted with a 6-speed transmission, either in automatic format or manual shifting for the purists. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |