Hell on Wheels on a Budget: 2010 Camaro V-6

Written by Eric Peters

August 28, 2009

The V-8 powered SS version of Chevy's new Camaro coupe gets most of the attention, but the V-6 powered standard-issue Camaro ought to be one everyone's radar. Why? Let's get to the meaty parts straight off:  The Camaro's standard 3.6 liter V-6 engine has almost as much power (304 hp) as the 4.6 liter V-8 engine (315 hp) in the much more expensive Ford Mustang GT - and nearly 100 horsepower more than the Mustang's standard 4.0 liter V-6 (210 hp). The muscular Chevy also has 50 horsepower more than the standard 3.5 liter V-6 (250 hp) in the Dodge Challenger SE.  Camaro's just getting warmed up, though.  It comes standard with a close ratio six-speed manual transmission - while the Ford Mustang V-6 is only offered with a five-speed. V-6 version of the Dodge Challenger can't be had with a manual transmission at all. To get a manual in the Dodge you have to buy the nice but expensive V-8 powered R/T - which starts at $30,220 or nearly eight thousand bucks more than the base Camaro's $22,245 sticker price.  You'll also get 18 inch rims and performance tires (17s are standard on the Mustang and Challenger), the same mean-looking cowl-induction hood as the SS gets, excellent four-wheel-disc brakes and the option of a six-speed, paddle-shifted automatic vs. the economy-car four and five-speed automatics found in the competition.  So, how does it run?  On the road, the six-speed's gear splits are tight all the way up to fifth and sixth - both of which drop engine RPMs to near idle speeds even at very high road speeds. I clocked the Camaro at less than 2,000 at 75 mph in top gear.  The V-6 has a 7,000 RPM redline. I wasn't able to check out the top end but I would not be surprised if it's higher than my 455 cubic inch mid-'70s Trans-Am can manage. Probably at least 140 mph; maybe even 150 (assuming GM hasn't installed an electronic nanny; the horsepower necessary to do the deed is definitely there).  This car does zero to 60 in six seconds flat - which means you could probably get it into the fives with a good aftermarket exhaust system and some fine-tuning.  Remember: this is the base Camaro. The $22k model - not the $30k V-8 SS.  And it moves.  Oh yeah, one more thing:  The Camaro's V-6 gets significantly better gas mileage (almost 30 mpg on the highway) than either the Ford Mustang's 4.0 liter V-6 or the Challenger's 3.5 liter V-6 ... both of which guzzle fuel almost as lustily as the V-8s that are optional in those cars.  It could be the ultimate stealth muscle car. Insurance companies will hopefully consider it the "economy" model and thus charge premiums that aren't deal killers (especially for young male drivers). And $22k - let's say $23,500 out the door, taxes and tags, etc. - is a whole lot more manageable for those same young male drivers than the $30k (plus dealer gouging) an SS would set you back.  Even better, you can afford to feed it. 17 city and 29 highway is Camry/Accord/Malibu territory. Drive it reasonably when necessary and you should be solidly in the mid 20s most of the time.  That's economically doable for most people while mid-high teens (what you'd get with the V-8) isn't. Especially since you just saved yourself something like eight grand by not buying the V-8 SS (or the similarly pricey Ford Mustang GT or Dodge Challenger R/T). Those are great cars, no doubt - and I am not slamming them as cars. But their cost of entry and ownership is exorbitant. The original muscle cars of the 1960s were wonderful not just because they looked like hell on wheels and drove like it, too - but because almost anyone could afford to drive one. The V-8 Mustang GT and Challenger R/T - and yes, the Camaro SS too - are cars for older rich guys mostly. Which is fine for them, but it sucks if you're under 30 and want The Experience.  Thank the motor gods, Chevy has its head screwed on right this time. The Camaro doesn't tease with performance equipment that's out of reach and then toss you the econo-car drivetrain in the sexy bodyshell like Ford and Chrysler do with their pony cars. No, Chevrolet - bless them! - has made real performance available to the average guy.  The base Camaro gives a beating to the base Mustang and Challenger as fierce as what Sonny did to Carlo in "The Godfather." And hell, the base Camaro isn't too far off the pace of the V-8 Mustang GT (0-60 in 5 seconds) which is downright embarrassing - for Ford.  This car should sell - deserves to sell - and if doesn't, it will not be any fault of its own. The 2010 Camaro V-6 is - by far - the best standard-issue Camaro Chevrolet has ever made, by any measure.  If it doesn't make it, at least it will help GM go out of business in style.  And that's all I have to say about that. Comment?

 

< Prev		Next >