Ever since the previous Camaro ended production in 2002, enthusiasts have been anxiously awaiting the return of their favorite automotive icon. The wait is over, and the wait has been worth it. The F-car is back (fig. 1).
This all-new 2-door sports coupe is available in all of the familiar flavors -- the base model, the LT, and the SS. And there's an RS package available on the LT and SS models. All of the styling cues are intact -- the prominent grille with recessed headlamps, the SS front air scoop, the gills on the rear quarters, dual exhaust outlets, even the auxiliary instrumentation on the console.
POWERTRAIN Engines
The base engine is far from basic. It's the 3.6L LLT SIDI VVT DOHC V6 (fig. 2).
With variable valve timing and dual overhead camshafts, it provides 304 HP (227 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque.
Direct injection (see TechLink, December 2008) delivers fuel directly into the combustion chamber, resulting in a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Other advanced features include variable valve timing, roller chain cam drive, and piston cooling jets for lower temperature and increased durability. This engine runs on regular unleaded gasoline.
If more power is desired, there's the 6.2L OHV V8. It comes in two versions. The L99 (fig. 3)
for cars with automatic transmission offers 400 HP (298kW) and 410 lb-ft (556 Nm), and the LS3 (fig. 4)
for cars with manual transmission offers 426 HP (318 kW) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm). The L99 also comes with Active Fuel Management. All feature aluminum block and heads.
Transmissions
Both engines are available with either manual or automatic transmissions. An Aisin Warner 6-speed manual comes with the V6 and a Tremec TR6060 comes with the V8.
And both engines are also available with 6-speed automatics, the 6L50 on the V6 and the 6L80 on the V8, which feature TAPshift. This transmission can be shifted manually with steering wheel paddles or as a fully automatic. Performance Algorithm Liftfoot (PAL) detects performance driving and holds upshifts and downshifts. Additionally, the 6L80 on V8s has an internal cooler.
CHASSIS
(fig. 5)
Performance and Handling
Selectable StabiliTrak provides 3 operating modes on the V6 and 4 modes on the V8:
- StabiliTrak on
- Traction control off, StabiliTrak on
- Competitive/Sport mode limits StabiliTrak and ABS intervention for competition driving
(V8 only)
- Traction control and StabiliTrak off
Additionally, a limited slip differential is optional on LS/LT manual, standard on SS. And manual V8s offer Vehicle Launch Control, which uses traction control and torque management to minimize wheelspin and optimize straight-line acceleration.
Brakes
Four-wheel discs are provided with ABS. On the LS/LT, there are 12.6-inch front and 12.4-inch rear discs, vented with 1-piston calipers. The SS steps up with 14-inch front and 14.4-inch rear discs, vented with Brembo 4-piston calipers.
Suspension
Front suspension (fig. 6)
includes struts, stabilizer bar, lower control arm with stiff lateral bushings for handling, and upper tension arm with hydraulic bushing for ride. The stabilizer bar mounts directly to the strut for exceptional roll control.
Independent rear suspension (fig. 7)
includes upper, lower, trailing and toe links. The upper link has an L-shaped arm with ride bushing. The lower control arm provides for camber adjustment. And the trailing link controls longitudinal motion of the wheel under acceleration and braking. This suspension system offers lower unsprung weight than a solid axle.
Steering
The variable-rate rack and pinion steering rack is mounted forward of the axle for precise feel, and offers a 37.7 foot (11.5 meter) turning diameter.
Wheels and Tires
Wheels range from 18x7.5-inch steel on the LS, to 18x7.5-inch aluminum or 19x8-inch aluminum on the LT, to 20x8-inch (front) and 20x9-inch (rear) on the SS (fig. 8).
Tires include P245/55R18 all-season, P245/50R19 all-season, P245/45ZR20 summer (front) and P245/40ZR20 summer (rear). Additionally, 21-inch wheels and tires are an LPO option.
TIP: It is highly recommended that the owner purchase winter tires if they plan to drive the SS Camaro in winter.
BODY FEATURES
Standard features include automatic headlamp control, air conditioning (with filtration), adjustable steering with manual rake and telescoping steering column, programmable power locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, cruise control with steering wheel controls, DIC with compass and outside temperature, oil life monitoring system, XM radio, 2 cupholders, door map pockets, 12-volt outlet in console and rear seat passthrough.
The Camaro uses a window indexing feature to help eliminate wind noise. The windows open slightly then the door is opened, and then move back to the closed position when the door is closed.
The Camaro uses side-milled keys with a flip-out fob (see TechLink, October 2007) (fig. 9).
Available equipment includes sunroof, HID headlamps, remote start (with automatic transmission), universal home remote, and auto dimming inside and driver side mirrors, Bluetooth for phone, USB port for iPod/MP3, steering wheel audio controls, turn-by-turn navigation and Boston Acoustics 9-speaker 245-watt audio system.
Safety equipment includes OnStar, 6 air bags (including thorax), front seat belt load limiters and pretensioners, extended front crush zone, and ultrahigh strength steel rocker panels.
The passenger presence module and bladder system are serviced separately.
The RS package features HID headlamps and specific LED taillamps (fig. 10 and 11)).
On vehicles with HID lighting, the lower lighting on the front fascia is used as daytime running lamps. The standard lighting package uses the lower lighting as fog lamps.
Auxiliary analog gauges on the console (certain models) include oil pressure, battery, voltage, oil temperature and transmission fluid temperature (fig. 12).
The heavy duty battery, with rundown protection and retained accessory power, is located in the trunk, contributing to the excellent 52%/48% weight distribution.
The accessory power outlets shut down when the vehicle is turned off to further enhance the rundown protection capability.
(fig. 13)
This all-new 2-door sports coupe is available in all of the familiar flavors -- the base model, the LT, and the SS. And there's an RS package available on the LT and SS models. All of the styling cues are intact -- the prominent grille with recessed headlamps, the SS front air scoop, the gills on the rear quarters, dual exhaust outlets, even the auxiliary instrumentation on the console.
POWERTRAIN Engines
The base engine is far from basic. It's the 3.6L LLT SIDI VVT DOHC V6 (fig. 2).
With variable valve timing and dual overhead camshafts, it provides 304 HP (227 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque.
Direct injection (see TechLink, December 2008) delivers fuel directly into the combustion chamber, resulting in a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Other advanced features include variable valve timing, roller chain cam drive, and piston cooling jets for lower temperature and increased durability. This engine runs on regular unleaded gasoline.
If more power is desired, there's the 6.2L OHV V8. It comes in two versions. The L99 (fig. 3)
for cars with automatic transmission offers 400 HP (298kW) and 410 lb-ft (556 Nm), and the LS3 (fig. 4)
for cars with manual transmission offers 426 HP (318 kW) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm). The L99 also comes with Active Fuel Management. All feature aluminum block and heads.
Transmissions
Both engines are available with either manual or automatic transmissions. An Aisin Warner 6-speed manual comes with the V6 and a Tremec TR6060 comes with the V8.
And both engines are also available with 6-speed automatics, the 6L50 on the V6 and the 6L80 on the V8, which feature TAPshift. This transmission can be shifted manually with steering wheel paddles or as a fully automatic. Performance Algorithm Liftfoot (PAL) detects performance driving and holds upshifts and downshifts. Additionally, the 6L80 on V8s has an internal cooler.
CHASSIS
(fig. 5)
Performance and Handling
Selectable StabiliTrak provides 3 operating modes on the V6 and 4 modes on the V8:
- StabiliTrak on
- Traction control off, StabiliTrak on
- Competitive/Sport mode limits StabiliTrak and ABS intervention for competition driving
(V8 only)
- Traction control and StabiliTrak off
Additionally, a limited slip differential is optional on LS/LT manual, standard on SS. And manual V8s offer Vehicle Launch Control, which uses traction control and torque management to minimize wheelspin and optimize straight-line acceleration.
Brakes
Four-wheel discs are provided with ABS. On the LS/LT, there are 12.6-inch front and 12.4-inch rear discs, vented with 1-piston calipers. The SS steps up with 14-inch front and 14.4-inch rear discs, vented with Brembo 4-piston calipers.
Suspension
Front suspension (fig. 6)
includes struts, stabilizer bar, lower control arm with stiff lateral bushings for handling, and upper tension arm with hydraulic bushing for ride. The stabilizer bar mounts directly to the strut for exceptional roll control.
Independent rear suspension (fig. 7)
includes upper, lower, trailing and toe links. The upper link has an L-shaped arm with ride bushing. The lower control arm provides for camber adjustment. And the trailing link controls longitudinal motion of the wheel under acceleration and braking. This suspension system offers lower unsprung weight than a solid axle.
Steering
The variable-rate rack and pinion steering rack is mounted forward of the axle for precise feel, and offers a 37.7 foot (11.5 meter) turning diameter.
Wheels and Tires
Wheels range from 18x7.5-inch steel on the LS, to 18x7.5-inch aluminum or 19x8-inch aluminum on the LT, to 20x8-inch (front) and 20x9-inch (rear) on the SS (fig. 8).
Tires include P245/55R18 all-season, P245/50R19 all-season, P245/45ZR20 summer (front) and P245/40ZR20 summer (rear). Additionally, 21-inch wheels and tires are an LPO option.
TIP: It is highly recommended that the owner purchase winter tires if they plan to drive the SS Camaro in winter.
BODY FEATURES
Standard features include automatic headlamp control, air conditioning (with filtration), adjustable steering with manual rake and telescoping steering column, programmable power locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, cruise control with steering wheel controls, DIC with compass and outside temperature, oil life monitoring system, XM radio, 2 cupholders, door map pockets, 12-volt outlet in console and rear seat passthrough.
The Camaro uses a window indexing feature to help eliminate wind noise. The windows open slightly then the door is opened, and then move back to the closed position when the door is closed.
The Camaro uses side-milled keys with a flip-out fob (see TechLink, October 2007) (fig. 9).
Available equipment includes sunroof, HID headlamps, remote start (with automatic transmission), universal home remote, and auto dimming inside and driver side mirrors, Bluetooth for phone, USB port for iPod/MP3, steering wheel audio controls, turn-by-turn navigation and Boston Acoustics 9-speaker 245-watt audio system.
Safety equipment includes OnStar, 6 air bags (including thorax), front seat belt load limiters and pretensioners, extended front crush zone, and ultrahigh strength steel rocker panels.
The passenger presence module and bladder system are serviced separately.
The RS package features HID headlamps and specific LED taillamps (fig. 10 and 11)).
On vehicles with HID lighting, the lower lighting on the front fascia is used as daytime running lamps. The standard lighting package uses the lower lighting as fog lamps.
Auxiliary analog gauges on the console (certain models) include oil pressure, battery, voltage, oil temperature and transmission fluid temperature (fig. 12).
The heavy duty battery, with rundown protection and retained accessory power, is located in the trunk, contributing to the excellent 52%/48% weight distribution.
The accessory power outlets shut down when the vehicle is turned off to further enhance the rundown protection capability.
(fig. 13)
- Thanks to Marty Case and Chris Graham
