2011 Chevy Camaro

2011 Chevy Camaro Power

Camaro SS uses the 6.2-liter Corvette V8, making 400 horsepower with the optional 6-speed automatic, or 426 horsepower with the 6-speed manual. We were disappointed by the civility of the exhaust note. The SS uses firmer shocks, springs and anti-roll bars than the V6 models, but the ride doesn't suffer for it. We found the handling balance of the Camaro SS excellent.

The windows are small (doorsills high for safety) and the A-pillars wide, so it makes the cockpit feel a bit cave-like. Visibility through the windshield is compromised by the long hood and raked windshield, although careful location of the driver's seat helps. Rear visibility over the driver's shoulder isn't very good, but then it's impossible to make it good with a roofline this sporty. Rear seat legroom measures a meager 29.9 inches, so you'll want to avoid sitting back there.

We found the handling, ride and brakes to be excellent in both the Camaro LT and the Camaro SS with the big V8, although the SS suspension is stiffer and its 20-inch tires are firmer. The chassis structure is rigid, helping make the turn-in precise for a car this size; the grip is secure, and the damping is solid and supple. We never encountered a harsh moment with the ride, in either car, during a full day of hard driving east of San Diego in both of them, and later a full week in the Pacific Northwest with the 6-speed Camaro SS.
Camaro SS features the 6.2-liter V8 with a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual gearbox. The SS has special exterior trim, a beefier suspension, 20-inch painted aluminum wheels, and four-piston Brembo disc brakes.

Camaro LT upgrades with leather upholstery with six-way power reclining driver's seat; foglamps and integral front fascia; and 18-inch painted aluminum wheels.

Camaro LS comes with the 3.6-liter V6. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic with manual shifting is optional. Not a bare-bones model, the LS is fully power equipped, including cruise control, telescopic steering wheel, six-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 sound system, limited slip differential, 18-inch steel wheels, and OnStar Directions and Connections, offering turn-by-turn route instructions, both verbal and visual, for six months.
The latest-generation Camaro captures the look of the original '67, while being 5.7 inches longer and 3 inches wider. And it hasn't been drawn into retro clunkiness with a bunch of chrome; in fact, there's almost none. The latest-generation Camaro is 2.8 inches taller than the vintage model, thanks more to bigger tires than anything else. The tires fit the same in the wheelwells of all models, whether with 18-, 19-, 20- or 21-inch wheels, because they all have the same outside diameter. The smaller the wheel, the taller the sidewall of the tire.

This latest-generation Camaro (completely redesigned for 2010) is based on the great chassis of the Pontiac G8 that came from GM Australia. (The G8 sports sedan was a creative and mechanical success, but a commercial failure due to its cost.)

The convertible benefits from additional reinforcements to stiffen the body structure. Among them: a cross brace under the hood to connect the front shock towers, a transmission brace, an underbody tunnel brace, and underbody V-shaped braces front and rear. The objective of this was to make the convertible match the coupe as closely as possible in ride quality, handling and overall performance. Also, the Camaro architecture was designed to accommodate a convertible model. As evidence of its design and engineering success, Chevrolet points out that there was no need to retune the Camaro suspension for the convertible. Chevrolet claims the Camaro convertible offers superior torsional stiffness to that offered by the BMW 3 Series convertible.

2011 Camaro Interior

The power folding convertible top retracts in about 20 seconds. The convertible top is built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette convertible top, and operates in a similar manner. It folds in a simple Z-pattern and latches with a single handle located at the center of the windshield header. Other convertible models in this segment still offer convertible tops with dual latches, forcing drivers into two-hand operations reaching across the car. Once the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and activates the power top. The car doesn't have to be parked for the top to be activated, allowing for spur-of-the-moment lowering while stopped at a traffic signal.

The climate control buttons on the center stack appear to have been designed for looks, and thus aren't as functional as they could or should be. An optional console-mounted gauge package includes oil pressure, oil temperature, volts and transmission fluid temperature. The information is good, although the location down by the driver's knee seems like another attempt to be cool; and maybe a successful, one, because it is a popular option. 

The interior materials of the Camaro are good, and excellent leather upholstery is available in black, gray, beige and two-tone Inferno Orange. The interior design doesn't rise to the level of the exterior, however. We think the instrumentation leaves much to be desired, if no-nonsense is your point of view, though we should point out that Car and Driver magazine likes it, calls it innovative

Summary

The 2011 Camaro succeeds in many areas: striking lines, powerful engines borrowed from Cadillac and Corvette, great transmissions, superb handling and ride, terrific V6 gas mileage, and great prices. The interior visibility is limited, pinched because of the car's shape, and don't expect room in the rear. Bucket seats are good, but the retro-wannabe instrumentation will leave you flat if you're looking for function. Mostly, the new Camaro says GM can do it.