CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives December 2009
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CITYLife CAR CORNER
2010 Camaro 2SS LS3
A legend reborn
By Bill Zervakos and Cathy Droz, tworfortheroadusa.com
I’ve owned some pretty nifty cars in my time, and had an awful lot of fun in them, but balance has always been somewhat problematic. Pleasure versus function, performance and ride versus handling was a difficult balance at best then, but not so now with the 2010 LS3 Camaro. I need to take a moment and credit my friend Larry Edsall who literally wrote the book, Camaro A Legend Reborn, on the 2010 Camaro and I freely admit that I plagiarized his subtitle because it’s so true, so thanks Larry and hope you don’t mind.
There are two engine set ups in the SS Camaro, the L99 and LS3. The L99 is in the 6-speed automatic car, which puts out 400 horsepower; and the LS3 is in the 6-speed manual, which produces 426 horsepower. The difference between the 1SS and 2SS is the added standard features in the 2SS like the Boston Audio system, Bluetooth, the four-pack gauges on the console and the remote start system available only with the automatic transmission.
I love the look of the new car. It looks great from every angle and has a very aggressive stance. If you read my review of the RS I hope you don’t mind my reiterating what Al Oppenheiser, Chief Vehicle Engineer for the Camaro said. He indicated that it was one of the most challenging designs their die makers ever had to deal with and was quoted as saying that it took 10 or 12 tries to get the stamping right on the rear quarter panels because the creasing is so aggressive. To my eye, it’s that aggressiveness that adds to the appeal of the car and puts it in a class by itself.
Inside, the cabin is somewhat retro with a cool gauge cluster on the console ala the first generation SS cars and circular gauges for the tach and speedometer set in deep rectangular housings. While reminiscent of earlier models, the interior is much roomier and more comfortable and makes cruising down the highway a pleasure.
Up front, you’ll find traditional struts and an independent multi-link rear suspension, for the first time on the Camaro. There are two chassis packages, the FE2 on the V6 and FE3 for the V8. The primary difference is in the brakes, with single piston caliper and 12.6-inch rotors on the front and 12.4-inch on the rear, and dual piston calipers with 14 and 14.4-inch rotors on the SS cars. That, with bigger anti-roll bars and higher spring rates on the V8 cars, accounts for the 200 pound difference in the SS.
I could throw a lot of performance numbers at you but suffice it to say, the SS Camaro is a blast to drive. So if you’re looking for 1960s muscle car performance, style and handling wrapped up in a really sharp 21st century ride, check out the 2010 Camaro. I loved it and think you will too.
For more on the Camaro, click here.
Listen to Bill Z. and Cathy D. every Saturday from 6-8pm on KKNT 960AM.
To read more in-depth reviews, go to twofortheroadusa.com.
CITYLife Web Exclusive | CITYSunTimes December 2009