2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS - 2SS
Black with Inferno Orange/Black leather.
6.2L V8 426 HP with 6 speed TR6060 manual transmission
Take a moment to view the photo gallery, click on any photo for a slide show.
Its a Camaro, its true to its Detroit Iron DNA would you expect anything else? Finished in Black with no graphics it has a subtle, and menacing appearance.
Lets deal with some of the urban legends that envelop this car. How is the vision? It has the cool chopped top look, vision is good, you are quickly habituated to the available glass area. In the meantime it contributes to the killer street presence of the car. It has proximity sensors in the rear bumper to assist while backing.
The trunk is a Camaro trunk, historically they never had a big trunk, why should this one have a trunk, or a huge trunk opening. The rear seat, same thing, when did Camaro's or pony cars have a rear seat that could accommodate grown human beings?
Yes the interior has some wide swaths of plastic, the Inferno Orange breaks up the "plastification" and makes it bearable. The Inferno Orange is liked by most people that viewed the car.
Now that we have dealt with the "urban legends" lets deal with the SS.
The Camaro captivates the imagination, is it the movies, the previous versions, the buzz? For some reason pony cars with the Detroit Iron feel are enduring, Camaros seem to make their way to the top of the pony car food chain. Its not a Boomer thing, or a mullet thing, its a car thing, its an enthusiast thing, its a gear head thing. If you are experiencing difficulties to understand the "essence/soul" of this car perhaps its not for you.
The LS3 is as good as it gets for a "small block" Chevrolet engine. The Tremec TR6060 is as good as it gets to having a "proper 6 speed gearbox" as Jay Leno would say, and the Brembo brakes are very good especially at higher velocities. The steering has good on center feel.
The base price of $37,085 for the 1SS version is superlative value considering the components that are included, and the "performance envelope" of the car. You could not build a 1969 "resto mod" Camaro with this level of performance at a less than a $40,000 budget.
How does it compare to a 370Z? They are both enthusiast cars, with different DNA's, that appeal to different enthusiast priorities. How these cars make you feel is subjective, all the spreadsheet comparisons will not communicate how you will feel driving, and enjoying the cars. The 370Z is a precise car with a strong cornering/track orientation, the Camaro SS is less precise with a strong power orientation.
We have been fortunate to experience cars with sophisticated, and very serious performance parameters, what we like to call the "performance envelope". From our perspective this Camaro SS can play in the "performance sandbox" with all the established big boys. Its docile for normal street use, and ferocious when you need power. The urban legend that Detroit Iron does not turn or stop is not applicable to this Camaro SS.
Do we have to tell you that all the safety features be it air bags, ABS brakes, brake assist, traction control, Stabilitrak are included.
You can configure a Camaro to your specifications.
Fuel economy rating for the LS3 is 13.2L city and 8.2L highway. The highway rating is probably attainable. This car at 100 KPH the engine is doing only 1,450 RPM in 6th gear, its a phenomenal highway cruiser.
Do you need a Camaro SS? Nobody needs a Camaro SS, and you can surely develop a myriad of rationalizations that you don't need one. If you are an enthusiast. If you have a craving for serious performance. If you have an affinity for V8's, and you have an appreciation for Detroit Iron.
You still don't need a Camaro SS, you WANT one!
We ask for participation on Twitter when we do reviews. These are the questions, and comments that we received for the Camaro SS. A huge Thank You for taking the time to participate!
From @DR1665
I would be curious to hear how the fit and finish compares with other, lesser models. My experience tells me that GM does a decent job of building vehicles like the Corvette, Camaro SS, Cadillac CTSV, Enclave, and Sierra, but demonstrate a lack of concern for build quality in the lower trim levels.
Finally, if Ford ends up offering an EcoBoost Mustang, how could that affect the market for Camaros, given the Ford's ease of modification?
Looking forward to your take on things, sir.
I usually hand wash vehicles that I review, the old school "zen experience" to take a hard look at how a vehicle is put together. This Camaro is comparable to other vehicles in its price range, is it spectacular fit and finish? No! Is it acceptable fit, and finish for the price? Absolutely.
The interior is what you would expect from a Camaro, all the pieces have a good fit, with reasonable materials. In this particular car would I want a better door panel and remove the oil cooler on the engine? NO!
Perhaps the next version of the Boss 302 / Z28 will be a V6 with a couple of turbos, Ford has the Eco Boost, and Chevrolet showed a twin turbo V6 at SEMA with the subtle hint of Z28.
From @Ormond2009
How's the comfort of the seat? Is visibility ok? How's the ride around town? Does it make you feel good driving American muscle?
The seats are comfortable with reasonable support, the cushion could be slightly longer. During the first 30 seconds the visibility is atrocious, by the 60 second mark you are used to it, by the 90 second mark its normal. The car is very docile with a good ride quality for around town driving.
Human nature, testosterone, power in cars, YES this car fulfills the requirements with gusto.
From @lars2885
So, how well does the SS fill the role of a modern muscle car?
The original cars had power, this one stops and turns on top of having power. You feel much safer and have a tendency to get ambitious on a regular basis. On broken pavement the car is very solid, while keeping its composure.
Does it satisfy the senses like the old one did?
The engine intake sound is tuned (they learned from Ford), the exhaust is a subtle burble (does not attract too much attention), you hear the synchronizers in the transmission like an old Muncie M22 (Rock Crusher). The shifter has the "heavy feel" of a Hurst shifter. Its all there to satisfy the senses.
Is it fast enough to give you street cred?
The first half of the accelerator pedal is moderate and perhaps misleading, the second half is ferocious. Its a provocative adrenaline rush in the first 3 gears. Enhanced street creds would be a "hot cam" (a bit of a lopey idle), and 500 HP which is easy attain with this car. Turns off the traction control, it becomes pornographic.
Is it the perfect car for a sunny weekend’s driving trip for two?
Absolutely, and highly recommended to regenerate the human mind, heart, intellect! In addition to being an effortless highway cruiser.
What makes it stand out?
Its the Chevrolet version of Detroit Iron, superb small block engine in the car, with old school big block performance. All the components are present to use it in a spirited fashion.
Does it have flaws that interfere with the enjoyment?
If you focus on enjoying the performance its an effective, and competent car. You don't really need a radio, but when you want it the Boston Acoustic sound system is there. It has XM satellite, Bluetooth, steering control. As if you have time for all that when you are slammin' gears.
Why would I want to choose it over its two obvious competitors?
You chose this one because you are a Chevrolet fan, and a small block aficionado. The specifications of the LS3 are impressive, similar to Teutonic hand assembled motors.
Is it really almost a Corvette for half the money?
A Corvette would be faster its a lighter car, and more precise. For half the money, a Camaro has independent suspension, same engine...different street creds...the Camaro conveys a stronger "bad boy" image than a Corvette.
Is it almost an M5 for half the money?
The "performance envelope" of the Camaro SS is in the German performance sedan territory.
Its easier to explore the extreme edges of the performance envelope with a German sedan, or perhaps a CTS-V, with the Camaro SS you need to willfully and unconditionally commit yourself to explore the edges of the envelope.
Is it the best thrill for the buyer’s hard-earned but appreciating loonie?
For an enthusiast that wants to enjoy Detroit Iron with strong performance, its exceptional value. Especially by specifying a Camaro SS with a singular focus on performance. Think of this a Harley Davidson Trike starts at $ 39,659.
Is it true to its roots?
Chevrolet, Detroit, Oshawa, Apple Pie, Bailout, its very true to its roots.
From @cbaccus
I would like to know where you think the sweet spot of the transmission is? Also, fit and finish in the interior. How would you compare to say it's most direct competitor the new Mustang?
The sweet spot of the transmission is the first 3 gears, especially 2nd, by the time you shift out of 3rd you are in absolute "get in trouble territory". On the street what works well, while being stealthy is to gain good momentum in 1st, to the metal in 2nd, then its up to you how bold you want to be in 3rd. Sixth is an incredible cruising gear.
The fit and finish of the interior is good, the Inferno Orange breaks up the monotony, the plastic content is widespread. The Inferno interior has mood lighting in the door panels. For a performance coupe the interior is good and acceptable.
The Mustang is closer to the original (smaller) with better proportions, while having a solid rear axle. I would speculate that the independent suspension in the rear of the Camaro takes up a lot of room and impacts the styling of the car. The individual that prefers a Ford will get a Mustang, the individual that prefers a Chevrolet will get a Camaro.
Thursday, November 19, 2009 
As you know we took a strong interest on the CTS-V Challenge. Reviewing this CTS Sport Wagon a few weeks later is an appropriate follow up to our Challenge interest. This version of the CTS has been around for a while, and there have been numerous reviews of the CTS sedan. 
