2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS - V-6 Model - First Test

The "base" Camaro (and I use that word only as an official term) sports a 3.6L, direct-injection V-6 making a heady 304 hp at 6400 rpm (yes, that's more output than the 4.6L V-8 in last year's Mustang GT). The engine mates to a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed auto with paddle shifters. At the track, we ran an uplevel V-6 LT Coupe (sporting 20-in. Pirelli PZero summer tires). This isn't a light car, checking in at 3765 lb. (Stafanyshyn admits that the engineering team was saddled from the outset with the compromises of using an existing platform -- and the mandate of incorporating an independent rear suspension. Also, Chevy candidly acknowledges that the Camaro's exterior design was the Golden Child of the engineering process.) But have a look at the numbers. We recorded a 0-to-60-mph sprint of just 5.9 sec and a quarter mile of 14.4 sec at 98.0 mph. Impressive? Oh yeah. And even more so when you consider that this powertrain is rated at 17/26 city/highway mpg.

Switch to the six-speed automatic (only 5.0 lb heavier than the manual car), and performance barely trails off at all. The run to 60 mph takes just six seconds flat, the quarter flashes by in 14.6 sec at 96.3 mph. In return, fuel efficiency actually goes up: the automatic delivers an EPA rating of 18/29 city/highway mpg. Not too shabby for a 300-plus-horse car, no?

Wearing conventional brakes and weighing nearly the same, both V-6 cars recorded superb stopping numbers, needing just 106 ft (auto) and 107 (manual) to claw to a halt from 60 mph. Handling prowess is also excellent, with 0.93 g of max lat on tap.

Numbers, of course, relate only a fraction of the story. The V-6 Camaro is, quite simply, a breakthrough drive. Light to the touch, it burns through mountain twisties with clear, precise feedback through the wheel, unfailing poise (the FE2 suspension stays planted even when the road surface deteriorates), and plenty of punch. Both transmissions work seamlessly, the auto even morphing into You're In Full Control mode when you pull a shift paddle (unless you attempt to blow the engine or pull away from a stop in a high gear, the shifting computer will never override your commands). No previous Camaro has ever had the all-around performance chops of this one. In fact, every other V-6 competitor in this class (are you listening, Hyundai Genesis Coupe?) had better realize they are now on notice. Aggressively priced and even more aggressively armed, the V-6 Camaro could well turn out to be the sports-car story of the year.