[Auto Purveyor]

Chevy’s Camaro SS will scare the sh&t out of you
By Stuart Schwartzapfel, Team Speed Editor
Photo's by Will Anderson

• Test Date: 5/14/09
• Base Vehicle Price: $30,245
• Engine: 6.2L V8
• Power: 426HP, 420 lb-ft of torque
• Transmission: 6-Speed MT
• 0-60 MPH: 4.8 seconds
• Top Speed: 155 MPH (limited]
• Drive Type: RWD
• Curb Weight: 3860 lbs.
• EPA Fuel Economy Estimates [City/Highway/Combined]: 16 mpg / 24 mpg / 19 mpg

Fast facts

Performance Bargain – At just over $30,000, the 426 HP Chevy Camaro offers more power per dollar than anything else on the road, literally. Second runner up is the V6 Camaro with 304 HP for less than $23,000.
Talk about underpowered - Mustang GT’s ($27,995) 4.6L V8 is rated at 315 HP, 5 ponies less than the 2002 Camaro SS.
Talk about overpriced: Dodge’s 425 HP Challenger STR-8 ($40,220] cost roughly $10,000 more than Camaro SS and offers one pony less.

Hey Speed Freaks,
The only thing gloomier than the weather the morning of our drive was my attitude. A reborn American legend with 426 HP shoehorned under the hood was parked in my driveway but the grey skies and rain soaked roads were anything but appropriate for a rear wheel drive brute. The Camaro, with its gaping grille and bulging hood, was staring at me intently through the kitchen window with an utterly pissed off expression. It simply wanted to be driven and driven hard. We did need to shoot the car though, and the weather guy mentioned something about clear skies around lunchtime. What’s the worst that could happen?

Keeping our “Victory Red” Camaro SS in check at highway speeds wasn’t a challenge per se, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t a little uneasy piloting this high-powered street rod through tumultuous conditions before even drinking my morning coffee. She stayed the course though, never once losing traction during our slow and steady drive to Harriman State Park, about an hour North of Manhattan. And the independent suspension all around soaked up road imperfections with ease, even with the standard 20—inch aluminum wheels.

Aside from ruining our good time, the poor conditions did shine a massive spotlight on one of Camaro’s only shortfalls – its poor visibility. The seductively low cut roofline looks amazing but functions quite poorly because it surrounds the driver with blind spots. The roof is so low that even the rear view mirror blocks your direct line of sight. That bulging hood isn’t helping the situation either and requires that you constantly raise the seat to see above it. But in our minds, form won the battle against function for a reason and we wouldn’t change a thing if it meant watering down that sexy ass roofline.

The clouds eventually made way for sunshine with enough time to give this good old boy a proper romp. And man was it worth the wait. The potent V8, borrowed from Corvette, will not disappoint when it comes to smoky burnouts and general adolescent behavior. In fact, the SS is so obscenely powerful that I even scared myself the first few times behind the wheel. Only enhancing the rush associated with such spirited acceleration, the dual exhaust bellows something righteous each and every time the gas pedal is depressed. This naturally produced soundtrack is awesome enough that activating the Boston Acoustics sound system seems almost insubordinate.

After an eight-year production hiatus, Chevy debuted the Camaro as a completely re imagined 2010 model this past April. You may recognize its chiseled body from the 2007 film Transformers, where the concept car played the role of Bumble Bee, an Autobot charged with looking out for leading man Shia Labeouf. The SS, and its 304 HP V6 counterpart, represent the best performance bargains available on the road today. Not a bad statistic to have considering the move toward more responsible spending. And with all the turmoil in Detroit, perhaps all that Chevy needs is an attainable, desirable poster boy like Camaro to help them whether the storm ahead.

[Ced]

Always loved Chevy, they know how to make hot-rods.

[DJ]

As always awesome article Stuart!

[Mr Kram]

great write up! that would be a fun toy to have in the garage. not that it matters much, but that instrument panel is heinous.

[SINISTR]

Nice review, and damn that gold on the Stang is horrible!

[DJ]

Stuart and word on the Z06 ?

[Alzilla]

It's amazing what a bargain the SS really is compared to the other two pony cars. How GM pulled that one off is beyond me. Seems like a much better all-around package (minus the HUGE weight increase) than the previous generation Camaro considering the 2002 SS was only a couple grand cheaper and had 100 bhp less.

[chokeu2]

One of the best reviews I've read. Well done.

I spent the past week on vacation, and there was a black one of these parked at the house next door. It was so imposing looking that even my demure southern belle of a wife said that she really liked the car. Thats saying something when you can catch her eye with a car. It was an evil looking ride.

[h20skier]

my 2010 RS/SS Supercharged to 598hp Lowered with a one off set of carbon fiber rims new suspension, sway bars and exhaust
Just thought I'd add to this thread if allowed its black like CHOKEU2's wife likes. Sorry for the phone pic it took 3 weeks to get it back after some supercharger issues so I only had the phone tonight

[Alzilla]

Congrats Mark! That's badass, man!