Chevrolet Camaro SS laps the 'Ring in... 8:20
#1
07-22-2008, 08:23 PM
Chevrolet Camaro SS laps the 'Ring in... 8:20 In this automotive day and age, any vehicle that has even a trace amount of performance in its DNA has to make the rounds around the Nurburgring. The new Chevy Camaro SS isn't exempt. So after GM revealed the Camaro on Monday, one of the scribes at InsideLine ran up to an engineer to find out what kind of time the Camaro put down at the Nordschleife. According to Doug Houlihan, GM's chief engineer for global rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the Camaro SS ran the 'Ring in 8:20.
To put that into perspective, the recently released 2008 Cobalt SS did the deed in 8:22, along with the BMW E46 M3 and the last generation BMW M Coupe, followed by the Lotus Exige S and Porsche Cayman S at 8:25.
Ed Welburn, GM'S veep of global design, concedes that the Camaro's shape is merely adequate from an aerodynamic standpoint, with a coefficient of drag on the SS of 0.35 and on the LS/LT models of 0.36 – largely a result of the recessed headlamps and full-width grille.
Houlihan went on to say that their time at the 'Ring allowed them to dial in the steering response and suspension settings, and that the StabiliTrak traction control system on the Camaro will be the best GM can offer. Settings on the SS model allow drivers to choose between track and performance modes, along with completely disabling the system. A launch control feature will also be available on the SS.
To put that into perspective, the recently released 2008 Cobalt SS did the deed in 8:22, along with the BMW E46 M3 and the last generation BMW M Coupe, followed by the Lotus Exige S and Porsche Cayman S at 8:25.
Ed Welburn, GM'S veep of global design, concedes that the Camaro's shape is merely adequate from an aerodynamic standpoint, with a coefficient of drag on the SS of 0.35 and on the LS/LT models of 0.36 – largely a result of the recessed headlamps and full-width grille.
Houlihan went on to say that their time at the 'Ring allowed them to dial in the steering response and suspension settings, and that the StabiliTrak traction control system on the Camaro will be the best GM can offer. Settings on the SS model allow drivers to choose between track and performance modes, along with completely disabling the system. A launch control feature will also be available on the SS.
400hp rwd vs. 260hp fwd
#3
07-22-2008, 10:28 PM
They used an automatic for some odd reason, and it was damp. Right there is about 10 seconds or more.
The supercharged version comes out next year with 550 plus ponies and very upgraded suspension option. That is what I am waiting for.
The supercharged version comes out next year with 550 plus ponies and very upgraded suspension option. That is what I am waiting for.
#5
07-23-2008, 10:22 AM
"Official", no. And I agree, muscle cars aren't really meant to run the 'Ring.
#6
07-23-2008, 12:12 PM
It's a known fact among engineers that gold chains are bad for unsprung weight (critical loss of 72,1%) and mullets hamper aerodynamics, reducing the Cx by as much as 99,7%.
So what did you expect?
So what did you expect?
#10
07-23-2008, 06:01 PM
Even though IT IS a muscle car, the engineers should have been able to design a proper chassis. This thing better not and should not waddle around like a boat in turns...