Car review: Chevy Camaro: Bowtie six-gun with loads of fun

The Chevrolet Camaro has always been a legit contender when it comes to performance. A potent powerplant—in handling and steering—rivaling European coupes, and a cabin that goes retro yet retains a semblance of 21st century amenities are what makes it a coveted item. 

 

A test drive of the indent order 2LT RS V6 Camaro seemed the better balance between spirited driving and fuel efficiency—instead of the 2SS V8 Camaro—notwithstanding that the 2LT is 2.6 liters down (on displacement) and 132 hp/210 NM down from its V8 sibling. 

 

Besides, you can’t enjoy the entire 2SS’ grunt driving on most public roads, where any current Camaro figures to drive by. 

 

The V6 has the muscle to lunge forward quickly on command. However, the thrust isn't likely make your tummy scream for the car to stop. It displays controlled forward motion that makes the car leap forward, with not much white knuckle thrills on acceleration. Perhaps the muffled roar from the twin exhausts is what makes the sound more like a tuned inline four than a V6. 

 

In contrast, the growl from its Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8L V6 competitor sounds more satisfying, throatier even. Camaro purists may think otherwise, but in an era high on fuel efficiency and low NVH levels, the 2LT is arguably the best Camaro for everyday usage.



Surprisingly a comfortable ride

What surprises many is the six-speed a/t. The default “(D)rive” setting is okay, but it’s best to use the “(S)port” or manual mode—along with the steering wheel-mounted shifters—to get into the power curve quicker and keep momentum when cornering. Fifth gear is somewhat tall but manageable to use on flat tarmac, and second gear or third gear is best used for inclines. It would be nicer if a six-speed m/t came standard, but the car’s potential for everyday usage shines more with the a/t.

 

Handling is neutral, but expected given the elevated beltline and cowl, which sap driver confidence by making it impossible to see the car’s corners. Nevertheless, for a muscle car of its size and bulk (1,700 kg curb weight), it acquits itself well on bends. Steering is light, and your wrists don’t get a workout from pointing the car in any direction. However, the feedback is somewhat lacking—on change of camber turns and consecutive switchbacks, the wheels move a tad later than the input you just gave the steering wheel. It’s the type that seems to be waiting for a break in the twisties so that the 2LT can be run up through the gears. 

 

Despite the rim/tire setup, the ride is surprisingly comfortable. 

 

There are some safety concerns. You sit high—a good thing given the front and rear windshields’ limited view. In fact their total surface area and steeply raked angles make for lots of blind spots. You have to get out and see what’s going on behind, otherwise you’ll instantly damage the rear when in reverse or doing parallel parking. With regard to the front windshield, the rear view mirror eats up space and the a-pillars block your lateral view a lot, so utmost care must be taken when crossing intersections. 

 

Stationary, it’s a magnet for passers-by. The yellow paint and the telltale first gen Camaro-inspired shape make it a veritable attention grabber. Inside is all business—with a primarily black colorway—and tossed with a little retro feel for Camaro diehards. The squarish rev counter and speedometer gauges plus a rectangular four-pack of secondary gauges in front of the a/t stick reinforce the retro feel, but to this writer it looks too stylish and too contemporary to be billed as retro. The tach and speed gauges’ small fonts and placement make it tough to see—where there are speed limits, checking the speedometer is especially difficult. 

 

Another concern: other essential controls. The hazard button and door lock/unlock buttons are right between the blower and temperature rotary knobs, their icons so small you have to take a second or two to find them. That goes too for the radio on-off/volume button and knob at the leftmost of the middle dashboard, and the menu toggle knob at the rightmost part. At least the blower and temperature rotary controls are easy to use, but the ventilation direction and front and rear defogger icons are small,  making for a tough use when the car is in motion. 

 

Camaro purists might deride the 2LT RS Camaro for toting a V6, but its better compromise between fuel saving and frequent hard driving jaunts, great lateral behavior, street credibility give it enough ammo to make this Chevy worthy of  its lineage. It’s a bowtie six-gun with loads of fun. — Photo by Ramon Sy/VS, GMA News