Since 2006, General Motors has been teasing the automotive world with the Camaro Concept, and now the production car is officially revealed to the world. Due to start production February 16th, 2009, the car is being marketed as a high-tech and efficient high-performance car targeted at sports enthusiasts with a mind to fuel consumption and style.
Unveiled at the GM Design Center with the tag line of a ‘fun, efficient sports car for the 21st century’, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has set itself a high mark to achieve, and the conversion from pony or muscle car to sports car may leave fans of past cars out in the cold while failing to live up to the standards of would-be converts in love with flickable German and Japanese alternatives. Nonetheless, the dramatically styled Camaro is gunning for it all with this all-new model, naming its key competitors as the Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang and, in an interesting turn, the Nissan 350Z.
Standard U.S.-market models include LS, LT and SS models. Rumors of a super-high performance Z28 model are still circulating, but so is talk that the car has already been killed due to tough CAFE standards. An RS visual package (pictured on the car below) will be available on LT and SS trim models. The package includes 20in wheels, HID headlamps with integrated halo rings, and a unique rear spoiler and tail lights.
The car’s drivetrain is as expected, with either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, with a 3.6L direct-injection V6 rated at 300hp (224kW) and 273lb-ft (370Nm) of torque. The 6.2L LS3 V8 is rated at 422hp (314kW) and 408lb-ft (553Nm) of torque in manual guise and the 6.2L L99 V8 is good for 400hp (299kW) and 395lb-ft (535Nm) of torque in automatic form. There is still no word on the turbocharged four-cylinder that’s been rumored as a possibility for the past several months. The V6 is reportedly offering an estimated 26mpg highway, with a 23mpg rating for the V8 on the open road. Fuel efficiency is enhanced in the automatic-equipped V8 models with Active Fuel Management.
The transmissions available include the Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed auto for LS and LT trims and the Hyrda-Matic 6L80 for the SS - both autos have manual 'tap-shift' capability. Should you choose to row the cogs yourself, an Aysin-Warner AY6 six-speed manual is fitted in the LS and LT trims, with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed in the SS.
Weight distribution is pegged at 52/48 front/rear, with overall weight tipping the scales at a hefty 3,741lb (1,700kg) in its lightest form, ranging up to 3,913lb (1,779kg) in SS trim with the auto transmission. That means the Camaro will almost certainly outweigh its close Mustang rival once that car is refreshed for the 2010 model year, but it will slide under the Dodge Challenger’s even more massive 4,100lb (1,863kg) curb weight, enough to make up for a considerable amount of horsepower - which is a good thing considering the SRT8 Challenger’s Hemi V8 is good for 420hp (313kW) and 420lb-ft (567Nm) of torque, more than even the Camaro SS’s 6.2L LS3 V8.
The Challenger R/T’s 5.7L Hemi is rated at 375hp (276kW) and 398lb-ft (540Nm) of torque, which should still prove more than a match for the V6-powered Camaro, though the GM offering should have no trouble trouncing the base-level V6-equipped Challenger, rated at 250hp (186kW) and 250lb-ft (339Nm) of torque.
The car should be a considerable upgrade in the handling department, compared to the last Camaro to see production, thanks to its fully independent suspension and stability control - which features competitive and sport modes plus launch control on SS models. Together with its completely modern chassis, based on the Zeta platform co-developed with GM’s Australian Holden operations, the new Camaro could turn out to be a surprisingly able beast on track. LS and LT models will get the standard FE2 suspension package while the SS gets an upgraded FE3 performance suspension. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard across all models, though the SS gets larger rotors with four-piston Brembos at each corner.
Whether the more handling-oriented suspension design will interfere with what will likely become the Camaro enthusiast’s ultimate mission in life - straight-line speed at the drag strip - is yet to be determined, though independent rear suspensions are notorious for inducing wheel-hop in some high-horsepower configurations, a factor that does not bode well for hard launches and quick ETs. A range of 18, 19 and 20-inch wheels will offer style and large platforms for abundant grip.
Some of the smaller elements of the Camaro add to the car’s relatively high-tech feel, such as frameless door windows with computer-controlled indexing and Bluetooth capability, along with a premium Boston Acoustics sound system and XM Satellite radio.
Right-hand drive models have been confirmed, and will be available for the UK market soon after U.S. launch. Other right hand drive markets, such as Australia and South Africa, are not yet announced, though they are likely candidates for the muscle car.
You can see the recorded webcast of the car's unveiling with GM's head of design Ed Welburn and Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper at the official site, located here.
Reader Comments
Fri Jul 18 2008 5:40 PM
d550 says
everything but the weight (why SO heavy!), perfect. wow.
Fri Jul 18 2008 5:46 PM
rickybobby says
a little on the heavy side at 300-400 pounds heavier than a mustang, but at least its lighter tahn a challenger
Fri Jul 18 2008 6:33 PM
Gus says
And at least the interior is interesting/retro!
I'm so glad they didn't go bland like Chrysler did.
But seeing as how the V6 Camaro makes almost as much power as my V8 Mustang (maybe not torque, though) Ford is going to have to step up to keep up.
But on the other hand, the Camaro always had better numbers in the past as well, and the Mustang outsold it 10 to 1. This is a really good looking car, and with it's IRS probably outhandles my car easily as well...
Fri Jul 18 2008 6:59 PM
mlevere1992 says
The more that I see this car and the closer it comes to production, I may be swaying away from the BMW 135i that I have been wanting. I have to drive it before I make my decision but it is a total tossup at this point between the two cars.
Fri Jul 18 2008 11:16 PM
Top .01% says
You would rather have this gastly mechanized monstrosity over a BMW?...Wow, you sir, are a moron....Am I the only American that measures a cars worth not only by how fast it can go in a straight line?...Look at this thing, the back is hideous, the interior is atrocious...go to www.autoblog.com, they have a high res interior pic that already shows the deformation of the plastic dashboard around the center air vents...I would even take a 328i over this...Anything German > Everything American...
I wish free market captialism would work faster and GM would go bankrupt already!...Any of you who wish to purchase this car should seek counsel from Dr. Phil or are too demented to recognize otherwise...
Fri Jul 18 2008 11:24 PM
james says
wow.... angry much? maybe you should reread your comment, you sound pretty mad about an internet blog
Fri Jul 18 2008 11:48 PM
Tokugawa says
I agree, seriously read what you wrote. And you wonder why a lot of people think Euro-centric minded drivers, always complain when a good American rival emerges.
Sat Jul 19 2008 12:08 AM
john says
Sounds like James on JULY 18 is an angry young man lol. I do think the cars design is good except for the front end. I could never handle the smiling looking front of the new Camaro. I guess most will get used to it. The interior is so so. Guages are way to low, can you imagine taking your eyes off the road to read oil pressure at 85mph in down town USA. Outside of the front end always grinning its a sweet ride. We will also see if the V6 wil put out almost 300 hp at a test drive...
Sat Jul 19 2008 12:10 AM
john says
By the way its not James who is angry its Top.01%
My bad!!!!!!!!
Sat Jul 19 2008 12:41 AM
Top .01% says
Angry? Au Contraire...Euro-Centric? Maybe, but with good reason....With oil hovering around 130 per barrel Detroit keeps churning out 2 ton, massive V8 behemonths and then they wonder why they lose market share...The Germans, French, Italians and even Japanese combined don't bitch and moan half as much as Detroit about the new CAFE standards...Invest in technology, you can have power and save the earth at the same time!..6.2 liter v8 with only 416hp? It's time to get out of the dark ages, cars have been pushing past the 100hp per liter mark for some time now...Oh and I guess Detroit didn't get the memo about using materials other than steel to produce cars...By the way, these cars don't even sell enough to make a profit, why did they put the camaro on hiatus to begin with? BECAUSE IT HAD POOR SALES AND WAS PLAGUED WITH QUALITY ISSUES...
I know that many enthusiast are not in the same monetary position that I am and are in the pursuit for low budget speed, buy a car with a turbo 4 and mod the heck out of it....
THANK GOD THE PRESIDENT SAID NO TO A DETROIT BAILOUT....LET THE FREE MARKETS WORK!
Sat Jul 19 2008 1:39 AM
james says
Why are the reverse lights always an afterthought? Kills the nice rear (just the the Z)
Sat Jul 19 2008 2:49 AM
InkMaster says
One thing I do really like is the interior, really glad to see they didn't screw it up. This actually looks pretty darn nice, especially the steering wheel. Definitely feels alot more grown up then Mustang's and Challengers cheap looking plastic toy interiors
Sat Jul 19 2008 11:31 AM
94 Taurus owner says
I like but I still rather Get a mustang.
Sat Jul 19 2008 2:25 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Dear Numb Nuts (Top .01%)
You are are one angry man and you put me in the position to defend GM and those who apprieciate their products. For the record I do not get muscle cars but I do understand why others do. The passion I have for the Italians and Brits I can easily translate into what others have/feel for muscle cars.
Your ramblings- 100hp per litre is just not going to happen out of a normally aspirated push rod but enthusiasts of such cars want a pushrod as that is what their favorite car is about. This car will sell very well because it connects with its customers on passion not engineering prowess. You could also call this letting the free markets work!
Qualtiy- What do Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen have in common? Their quality has been on a major down hill trend but according to you the Germans are just awesome!!! BMW would be on this list to but they have a habit of buying you the customer out of your beloved Bunch of Money Wasted and signing a legal document saying you will not report such flaws to the press, JD power and etc. The last of the 6 cylinder M3's were notorious for blowing engines from idle to full on power so rather than face a recall and poor survey resuts they did the above.
Back to GM- GM is on to a winner of a comeback just look at Cadillac, Buick, and what is most likely going to happen with their compact offerings. Their current troubles are mostly due to benefits they offer to retired employees and ofcourse Union agreements (sorry guys I'm sure you work hard but unions due more damage than good these days). In other words they have nothing to do with product.
I conclude-If the Germans are so good and I see JD power has just released its award winners why are the Brits at Jaguar on top. They came out on top during a stint of AMERICAN OWNERSHIP but according to you Americans are bad at building cars.
Sat Jul 19 2008 2:30 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
James- I think you'll find the reverse lights are where they are as the Feds dictate how far apart, size, and how far off of the ground. Dont forget that was a concept car that became reality so some bits that the government require to make it legal may look like an afterthought on the production model.
All in all its not a bad looking car.
Sat Jul 19 2008 2:36 PM
Gus says
To bottom .01% or whatever the goofy name you chose is,
There is nothing wrong with having an opinion, even a strong one, but what irks people (inculding me) is your blatent prejudice.
No one believes a car reviewer (which is waht we all become here) who just goes abllistic because a vehicle comes from a certain country. It invalidates everything you say. Considering none of us has driven one yet, we all offer our modest opinions on what we think might be good or bad, but until we drive one (which I plan to do soon, I have a good friend who works at a dealership here) there is no knowing for sure.
That said, I think it looks good, fits right in with the Challenger/Mustang retro thing the big three have every right to explore, and there will always be a market for people who like cars like this.
So, show a little respect. You can comment all you like about how ugly it is, and how you don't like it, but don't outright make assumptions about something you've never even touched, no one is that much of an expert...
Sat Jul 19 2008 3:56 PM
Paul says
Just a little info for .01%. The 1 series weighs 3374lbs. Lighter than Camaro, yes, but not exactly a lightweight for suffering with that tiny interior.
The current car weight gains can be blamed on higher safety standards as well as the higher standards of performance desired by all. It's across the board.
Sat Jul 19 2008 10:44 PM
CK says
Best interieur compared to Mustang and Challenger if it feels like it looks.
Sun Jul 20 2008 7:01 PM
Rafel says
Now i know why american brands are losing market share,hehehe.
With this kind of cars, the future for those brands is...bad...very bad.
Mon Jul 21 2008 12:44 PM
Gus says
Rafel, don't be so jealous...
Mon Jul 21 2008 1:15 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Rafel- Could you please explain your logic? Also include in your answer why the Dodge Charger with the Hemi has sold out for the 09 model year before it even hit the show room and that there is a waiting list forming for the 2010 model year cars.
P.S. the Hemi is the big engine and not the 1.0L in your Fiat,Pug, Renault that would struggle to pull the skin off of your oatmeal.
Mon Jul 21 2008 2:08 PM
Rafel says
I've got a Seat,hehe, with TDI(130hp)) 1.9L engine, lol. I'm not french :P
Where are efficient engines, where are the cars for mass sales? Oh these kind of cars are japanese cars.
A brand seling cars for minorities has his sentence. With those cars profit of brands aren't enough.
Here, Doge is seling their cars. Poor interiors, low quality, inefficient engies and high prices.
Now , whe gas prices are going up, where are american brands? seling cars with "big engines", And their milleage? Very very poor.
GM, Ford, Chrysler... is beig ruined.
Mon Jul 21 2008 4:57 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Rafel- Since you failed to explain why these cars continue to sell and sell out, here we go. Having lived on both sides of the pond I can tell one distinct difference in cultures between America and Europe.
Europeans will do less across the board and enjoy small portions of many vices where here in the U.S. Americans will stop all vices and jump head long into their favorite one vice and enjoy it to its full extent (my opinion not fact).
Big cars will always sell here although in smaller amounts, quality will improve and yes Americas small cars will be their European models already on sale in Europe. As for when I travel in Europe I see pleanty of Vuaxhalls and Fords on the road so they cant be that bad. Infact in the UK Ford is the most respected and bought brand by consumers. http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/ford/ford-voted-uk%E2%80%99s-most-trusted-brand-again/
Ultimately your comments come off as more bashing Amercians than an educated opinion. As for your Seat its nothing more than a rebadged VW and 130hp out of a 1.9L (65hp per ltre) is hardly advanced as pointed out by Top .01%.
Mon Jul 21 2008 6:20 PM
Brad says
It took Chevy way too long to get this car to the production line. I dont know why this car gets so much publicity either, it's probably because it is coming from gm, who hasnt done anything groundbreaking for awhile except the volt.
Mon Jul 21 2008 9:22 PM
SuperSkyline89 says
There's one reason this car got so much publicity. And it's the same reason that the Nissan GT-R and the Dodge Challenger SRT-8 got so much as well. These cars are legends that haven't been built in decades (Challenger) or years (GT-R which is basically a new Skyline, Camaro).
These cars have cult followings, bringing them back excites a lot of people, therefore the immense publicity.
Mon Jul 21 2008 9:39 PM
HECTOR says
There are thousands of Guidos with leather jackets falling in love all over New Jersey tonight...
Mon Jul 21 2008 9:53 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Hector- Dont forget the thousands of Tina's looking for a ride in one to!
Mon Jul 21 2008 11:47 PM
NoNameDenton says
GM could save its V8 program by adding direct injection like this V6 has.
Tue Jul 22 2008 2:56 AM
brent says
All of a sudden, this week, I'm actually wanting this car myself. I mean, man...a DI V6 with 300 horses? That's awesome. Plus, it's the Cadillac engine, the groundbreaking, thoroughly modern enginer that earned so many high accolades in the redesigned CTS.
Gimme a manual and 300 horses, and I'll show you that even this college student-teaching resident of the U.S. Northeast has some honest-to-goodness, bona fide redneck in him.
And, by the way, I guess that means, in a weird way, that this car just might shed the Camaro nameplate of its stereotypical associations. ...
Tue Jul 22 2008 9:30 AM
Paul says
This takes me back to the days when we liked American cars.
Tue Jul 22 2008 9:51 AM
admin says
Why is there so much anger about this car? As far as I know, none of you have driven it yet so the only thing we can really speculate about is the styling and the features.
The exterior retains the sleek shape of the concept, the interior look average - we'll have to see it in person to pass judgement - but the best thing is that it'll be very good value for money.
Almost 4000 pounds is pretty heavy for a car but you need to remember Chevy can't afford to spend heaps of cash on lightweight materials for a car this cheap. And when you look at the features and horsepower under the hood, this seems like a decent deal.
Rafel - GM has said it's considering introducing a 4-cyl engine to the Camaro lineup. This is just the launch information and you can bet that a large portion of the first year's production will be sold out.
As for engines - Mercedes has just relaunched the SLK. Its 3.5L engine develops 300hp, which is exactly the same hp as the Camaro. The Camaro does it with 100cc more displacement, but you have to admit they're very close, and the Camaro will be a hell of a lot cheaper. This rejection of anything American is simply irrational.
Tue Jul 22 2008 2:38 PM
Mike says
What is not to like about this car? front engine RWD with independent rear, 52/48 front to rear weight distribution, heck, the SS model will have about the same power to weight ratio as a BMW M3. Call me crazy, but if an SS goes for $40K US it's going to seem like a bargain. More horses than an M3 and only 134 pounds heavier. Oh and better gas mileage than an M3 too. For the price of an M3 you could have one of these and a Mini Cooper S for your daily driver.
Now this new Camaro shares a platform with the Holden Commodore/Pontiac G8. Last I checked the automotive press was raving about the Commodore/G8 as a sort of a bargain BMW 5 series. Is it unreasonable to look at the Camaro as a bargain 3 series? All the ingredients are there. Until production models hit the road we won't really know, but one thing is certain. This new Camaro is going to be a heck of a lot of car for the money.
Tue Jul 22 2008 6:45 PM
brent says
Mike, great points -- which is why they probably should have hyped this as a Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am from the beginning, as a logical encore to the G8 unveiling. But it's not a bad thing that this is a Camaro, instead -- just more evidence that Pontiac is probably going by the wayside, eventually.
Tue Jul 29 2008 11:43 PM
Guber says
I still prefer a Mustang. Toyota Supra TT over both.
Tue Jul 29 2008 11:51 PM
Chris says
hell.. on the bang for buck arguement you can drive the PISS out of one of these babies, blow the engine, and then go buy a new one before you even get close to the costs of a compable german car (assuming you are able to get the remaining functioning bits of the car back to the scrap yard to sell).
hell.. you can talk about having more fun in a finely tuned japanese or german car.. but i think it would be SO much fun to buy one of these babies.. and then take all the cash you would have spent getting that comparable car... and throw it out the windows as you drive across downtown USA,.. watching the news chopers circle overhead and getting you some prime time footage on the 5 o'clock news.
Wed Jul 30 2008 1:29 AM
justin says
I would buy the M3 over this anyday.
Wed Jul 30 2008 2:13 AM
Ayax says
The M3 is not even in the same segment as this, so saying you would by an M3 over this any day has no base or foundation other than you saying its a better more upscale car, which is precisely why you cant compare it. Not to sound conflicting or anything but that's how I see it
Wed Jul 30 2008 5:32 AM
Sorin says
I don’t know who will buy this car. At that price, there are much better cars on the market. Hmmm…6L only 400HP? Eeeeeeeeeeeexcuse me.
Wed Jul 30 2008 9:45 AM
lfann says
Design and building cars is a business, so as long as a manufacturer can offer the right product for the right market segment, there is nothing wrong with building a performance coupe with v6 / v8 engines: in this case the Camaro. And there are enthursists out there that might even be willing to skip meals to pay for petrol for their v8, because they are passionate about this car and the performance they get is their joy. So high oil price cannot be automatically translated into doom & groom for performance cars. In my opinion, if GM can only breakeven with this car, it is already a very good PR exercise because they now have a halo car people look up to.
Wed Jul 30 2008 12:08 PM
nathan monroe says
I must admit I love this vehicle. Considering the fact that I'ma big fan of the Mazda RX series, I love what GM is doing on in regards to their sports car segment. Can't wait to test drive the SS model.
Tue Aug 5 2008 8:00 AM
fishhook34 says
I really like the car. It gets top billing,But what I can't understand why wait so long to give a good looking products like the camaro. I'm waiting for the new GTO
Sat Aug 16 2008 3:44 AM
james says
i think the designers did a great job on this car - it's retro enough to please old fans and hip enough to attract a young audience. i'm enticed and i'm 18. my uncle is enticed and he's 48. That's good designing right there. i can't wait to see a competitive firebird or trans am out of pontiac on a similar line
Thu Sep 11 2008 11:23 AM
john54 says
Great car! I need one!
Tue Sep 16 2008 12:11 AM
TIckTack says
i drove the 335 and 135 BMW's twin turbo's,
and how anyone could want this Camaro is beyond me, this ****ing thing is getting old, why all this Retro bullshit? Don't they have any ideas for Futuristic looking cars?
And they wonder why the american car companies are not doing well, ****ing idiots don't have a clue.
Tue Oct 21 2008 5:09 PM
giovannigambini says
Thank you GM for not over engineering a great concept down to a P.O.S. production vehicle. Congrats ! Keep it up.
Please try to do the same with the Volt.
P.S. Idea: Try to coordinate with one of the Hollywood studios to do a remake of Smokey and the Bandit with may be Matthew McConaughey or Brad Pitt as Bandit and bring back the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. It would create great publicity and demand for a product that you have already engineered, but would only need to replace the Camaro body with a new Firebird Body. I say go retro with it as well - circa 1977 Smokey and the Bandit - Trans Am.
Just a thought.
Tue Oct 21 2008 5:11 PM
giovannigambini says
Make this as hott as the new Camaro and you got another hit on your hands GM.
Tue Nov 11 2008 10:34 PM
mburleigh8 says
The 69 camaro is still one of the sexiest cars ever made. this new camaro dosn't even come close, its ugly.
Mon Apr 13 2009 9:00 AM
lilscrapper says
well? I am waiting.... whens it comming out? thought it was supposed to be this year? I had a 67 liked it then and now I want the 2010. I have a mustang too but I am still a chevy lover at heart. now I just need to decide on the color!
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