Chevrolet Camaro Part 3: Performance Review

The Chevrolet Camaro SS is the product of a global team effort. For example, the car's designer is Korean-born and its six-speed automatic transmission is manufactured in Mexico. The sticky Pirelli P Zero tires, as well as its impressive brakes, come from Italy, while its development was undertaken by GM's team in Australia. Even its manufacturing takes place outside the US, in Canada. But for all its international diversity, the Camaro SS still feels positively American.

Surely one of the reasons is the heart of this beast, which is manufactured in the good ol' US of A. There are actually two 6.2-liter V8s available on the SS version of the Camaro. If you choose the automatic transmission, you'll get the L99 with its Active Fuel Management system, which can shut down four cylinders under light throttle openings, such as when cruising down the highway.

On the plus side, Active Fuel Management helps the L99 achieve slightly better fuel economy than the other V8 - the LS3 borrowed directly from the Corvette. On the negative side, the LS3-derived L99 is 26 hp and 10 lb-ft shy of the LS3. So it's a "win some, lose some" scenario. Gain some fuel efficiency with the engine mated to the automatic transmission, but give up a little power.

At least the six-speed automatic features shift buttons behind the steering wheel that command perfectly matched throttle blips on downshifts. Driven sanely and left to its own devices, the automatic is seamlessly smooth, shifting up to sixth gear as quickly as possible in order to achieve maximum fuel efficiency. Slip it down into manual mode and those addictive downshifts are joined by crisp up-shifts as well. Those who can't be bothered with shift-buttons, can opt to just leave it in drive and get on with it. Whatever transmission you choose, the SS will put each and every one of its considerable horsepower through the rear wheels and down to the pavement with the help of a limited-slip differential.

Kudos to GM's Aussie group in charge of Global Rear-Wheel Drive Vehicles, as all Camaros equipped with either a V8 or a manual gearbox get a standard limited-slip diff. Besides helping make the car extremely controllable when driven sideways, the limited-slip diff works with the FE3 suspension fitted to all Camaro SS models to carve up corners like no previous Camaro.

One of the key ingredients of this newfound handling prowess will definately surprise the American muscle car faithful. At the back, you now get an honest-to-goodness independent rear suspension - a first for a production Camaro. So we can bid farewell to the live-rear axle and its notorious tendency to skip over bumps and ruts during hard cornering.

Not to be overlooked in the performance story of the Camaro SS are the powerful Brembo brakes - 14 inches in diameter up front and nearly 14-1/2 in back. With a reassuringly firm and stable pedal, these stoppers do nearly as much to inspire confidence as GM's fabulous StabiliTrak stability control system. Truly one of the best systems of its type on the market, StabiliTrac - as fitted to the Camaro SS - features a "Competitive Driving Mode" that raises the system's thresholds, allowing enough slip angle to keep that mischievous smile on your face, without having to worry about explaining yourself to the authorities if you get it all wrong.

So what is it that makes the Camaro SS feel so American? The subdued rumble of its V8 engine surely does. So too does the textbook muscle car proportions of its fabulous body. But what makes this international collaboration feel most American is the success story it represents. That a global team designed, developed, built and delivered such a bad-ass performance car for just over $30k, demonstrates that at its best, GM can be a melting pot of automotive-ingenuity. And what could be more American than that?

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Performance - Acceleration: L-99 and six-speed auto make acceleration completely effortless as the speedo needle sweeps around the dial more quickly than expected
- Handling: Unfortunately set up for ultra-safe handling (ie: understeer), but given a defeatable stability control system and lots of torque delivered through the rear wheels, fun is there if you want it
- Braking: Not the most feelsome brake pedal ever, but big Brembos offer effective retardation nonetheless

Design - Exterior: The most successful modern-retro design of them all, provoking nostalgia while looking completely modern - extremely well done
- Interior: Easily overlooked due to the exterior, but also well executed in design terms - only material quality lets it down... and maybe visibility

Utility - Comfort: Excellent for front seat passengers, with big seats and lots of room - the back seats are better than most 2+2s, but still not ready for prime time
- Space: Given the car's footprint, it's surprising to find it's not huge inside - narrow view out makes it appear more cramped than it is - trunk opening is uselessly small

Safety - Dynamics: Again, understeer will keep you from trouble - decent moves given its significant mass will see you through most evasive maneuvers
- Technology: StabiliTrak among the best systems of its kind - everything else is there too, as expected

Value - Price: A HUGE bargain of a car - 426 hp (LS3 with the manual gearbox) and concept car styling for $31 grand? Good look beating that!
- Mileage: L99 incorporates Active Fuel Management system to good effect - six-speed auto is mileage driven and will be in top gear as quickly as possible

Emotional Appeal - Heart thumpin' factor: Absolutely! With its starring role in that Hollywood blockbuster and its show car body, it's one hot car... until next year when you'll see 'em everywhere
- Fun to spank: Yes, if you're really determined to have your fun (stability off, lots of room, little regard for rubber and caution to the wind)

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Rear-wheel drive
Engine: 6.2-liter V8
Power (SAE): 400 hp
Torque: 410 lb-ft
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3880 lbs.
0-60 mph: 4.8 sec.
Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 17 city / 25 highway
Base Price: $30,595
Competitors: Ford Mustang GT, Dodge Challenger SRT-8, Nissan 370Z