The Chevrolet Camaro->ke248 came back from an eight year hiatus in its fifth generation with something to prove. No longer willing to let the Ford Mustang reign the muscle car kingdom, the Camaro was designed as "a heritage-inspired sports car for the 21st century, combining great looks and performance; advanced technology and surprising efficiency."

These new goals set for the Camaro were instantly illustrated in the overall shape of the vehicle and the advanced, 3.6L direct-injected V-6 engine available in the two lower trim levels: the LS and LT versions. The higher end Camaro was given the SS designation and carries with it a 6.2L V-8 engine with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management on automatic-equipped combinations. All three trims are available in 10 different exterior colors.

The Camaro was well received when it made its comeback in 2010, even pulling off the title of World Car Design of the Year at the World Car of the Year Awards. Chevrolet->ke199 made sure that title stays true with subtle changes to both the 2011 and 2012 model years.

Updated 03/27/2012: Chevrolet has announced today a series of changes for the 2013 model year Camaro that is set to make its world debut next month in New York. Changes for 2013 include the addition of a new 1LE package, an electric power steering system standard on all SS models and an available dual-mode exhaust system, available on Camaro SS models with the LS3 V8 engine and six-speed manual transmissions.

Also, the interior will get Chevrolet’s color touch radio with MyLink infotainment and a 7-inch touch screen that can be paired with an available in-dash GPS navigation system – a first for the Camaro.

Full specifications of the 2010-2013 Chevrolet Camaro after the jump.

chevrolet-camaro

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: chevrolet-camaro
Pros
Cons

2010 - 2013 Chevrolet Camaro

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 - 2013 Chevrolet Camaro
  • Engine/Motor: direct injection V6
  • Horsepower: 333
  • Torque: 278
  • Transmission: six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

When General Motors->ke1024 decided to bring out the latest generation of their iconic muscle car, the Camaro, they did so with a design that was very faithful to the original concept. The 2010 Camaro was a 21st century sports car that acknowledges its design heritage, including a long front dash-to-axle and short rear deck to give the Camaro its classic proportions, built on GM's global RWD platform. This language went hand-in-hand with a sleek windshield profile, wheels pushed to the corners and muscular fender forms, comprising modern elements that reinforce the muscle car's advanced engineering, giving it a decidedly aggressive stance. Other elements include a forward-V shape at the front of the car and gills in the rear quarter panels that are distinctly Camaro cues, as are the broad rear fender and shoulders. Rounding out the new changes given to the Camaro include a choice of either 18, 19, or 20" wheels that added a more aggressive stance on the American muscle car. All these elements made the 2010 Camaro an instantly recognizable muscle car, so much so that it became one of the most popular cars in the Transformers movie franchise.

In describing the new design language of the 2010 Camaro, Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design said, "the new Camaro is just that: new. We acknowledge the nameplate's strong heritage in the design, but recognize that keeping this modern sports car relevant meant more than simply honoring a classic car. The line forms, stance and overall execution are consistent with other new Chevrolets."

For the 2011 Camaro, General Motors added some minor tweaks to the car, although most of the initial design language of the 2010 model remained intact. The 2011 Camaro retained the long hood and short deck, but both features were pushed back to the corners of the muscular fender forms to make room for a fast, 67-degree rake windshield. This new windshield improved aerodynamic performance on the model, including a 0.37 coefficient of drag (Cd) on the V6 models and a slightly sleeker 0.35 Cd on the V8-powered SS model. For the SS models, GM added a simulated air intake in the upper front fascia with the lower measured particularly larger than the 2010 model. Similarly, GM offered a plethora of color choices for the 2011 Camaro, including Black, Victory Red, Rally Yellow, Silver Ice Metallic, Red Jewel Tintcoat (optional), Cyber Gray Metallic, Inferno Orange Metallic, Summit White, Imperial Blue Metallic and Synergy Green Metallic (limited time). Added options for the 2011 Camaro include an RS appearance package for both the LT and SS trims. As part of this package, a slew of features are added to the car, including HID headlamps with integrated LED halo rings, a rear spoiler on LT, specific taillights and a set of 20" wheels with a Midnight Silver painted finish.

The official press release for the 2012 Camaro doesn't go into detail about any exterior and interior changes done on the car so you can expect to see pretty much the same car in the same guise. The exterior of the car continues to be defined by a long hood and short deck, muscular fenders and a 67-degree rake windshield.

Interior

The 2010 Camaro's interior also boasted of a well-executed balance of heritage, modern design, and attention to detail. Among the new details given to the car included a pair of deeply recessed instrument binnacles that came with round gauges in square housings. This design was a nod to classic Camaros, whereas an available ambient light package offered advanced LED light pipe technology to give the cabin a distinctive and inviting glow. Cloth upholstery is standard for all Camaro trims with an option of upgrading it to heated leather-appointed seats. Moreover, the interior of the Camaro also came with large, chrome-trimmed controls, low-gloss surfaces and premium fabric or acrylic, conveying a richness that is unprecedented in previous Camaro models. The center-console gauge cluster is an ode to an option that was introduced on the 1969 Camaro where it displayed oil temperature, oil pressure, state-of-battery, and transmission fluid temperature, all cast with an ambient and modern LED backlighting. The Camaro features Bluetooth phone connectivity, Premium Boston Acoustics audio system, USB connectivity, Ultrasonic rear parking assist, Remote vehicle starting system, OnStar, and XM Satellite Radio.

Inside the 2011 Camaro, the four-passenger cabin retains the same well-executed balance of heritage, modern design, and attention to detail found on the 2010 model. There's an available ambient light package that offered advanced LED light pipe technology, giving the cabin a distinctive glow. Likewise, there's a standard cloth upholstery or optional leather seats for the 2LT and 2SS models. There's also a three-spoke steering wheel with manual tilt/telescope adjustment, Bluetooth, rear park assist, a USB port, and instrument panel gauges that include both speedometer and engine rpm, with a driver information center located between the large gauges, its readouts and features controlled via a stalk on the steering column. There's also an optional, console-mounted gauge package that includes oil pressure, oil temperature, volts and transmission fluid temperature. The gauge package is included on 2LT and 2SS models, and is available as an accessory through Chevrolet dealers.

The interior for the 2012 Camaro will carry over the same modifications added for the 2011 model year, including standard cloth upholstery or leather seats on 2LT and 2SS models, a three-spoke steering wheel with manual tilt/telescope adjustment, Bluetooth, rear park assist and USB port.

Performance

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro came with a number of engine options, including an advanced, efficient 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 engine with variable valve timing that's standard on LS and LT models. There's also a direct injection technology that helps the engine deliver more power through increased efficiency while also maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions. That means less fuel is consumed and lower emissions generated, including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. The engine produced somewhere around 300 horsepower and 273 lb/ft of torque mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a Hydra-Matic 6L50 electronically controlled six-speed automatic, with TAPshift control, as an available option. The next engine for the Camaro - this time for the SS trim - is a high-performance, powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine with a choice of either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Models equipped with standard, manual transmission had 422 horsepower and 408 lb/ft of torque. Then, there's the L99 V8 engine that's based on the LS3 Corvette engine, carrying with it high-performance features with fuel efficient features like Active Fuel Management to boot. This trim is usually based on SS models with an output of 400 horsepower and 395 lb/ft of torque mated to a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed transmission.

For the 2011 model, the Camaro's 3.6-liter direct injection V6 engine came with more power through increased efficiency, all while maintaining fuel economy and lowering cold-start hydrocarbon emissions by 25 percent. The standard on LS and LT models came with 312 horsepower and 278 lb/ft of torque. As for the 2011 Camaro SS, there are two 6.2-liter V8 engine options, including the L99 for the automatic-transmission vehicles and the LS3 on the manual-transmission models. The output for the L99 engine rates at 400 horsepower and 410 lb/ft of torque whereas the LS3 model rates higher with an output of 426 horsepower and 420 lb/ft of torque.

For the 2012 model, the biggest improvements made on the engine was replacing a cast iron exhaust manifold, six bolts, a gasket, and a heat shield and three bolts, with an integrated exhaust manifold cylinder head.

By eliminating all the nuts and bolts, the potential for a gasket failure is eliminated. And on top of that, it also reduces weight by 13 lbs. or 6 kg per engine. The reduction in weight allows for an improved fuel economy - up to 30 mpg - as well as an improvement of the intake airflow - an improvement of 7% - resulting in a power increase of around 11 horsepower.

Safety

As with all of the models that pass through the GM ringers, the safety features behind the Chevrolet Camaro will always be one of the most important aspects of the car. For the new Camaro, GM has come out with a comprehensive system of safety features starting with a robust body structure and integral safety cage around the passenger compartment. GM used high-strength steel and ultra high-strength steel in key areas throughout the structure. Other safety features integrated into the Camaro include driver and front-passenger dual-stage air bags that have been designed to inflate at high-speed in serious crashes, but deploys with less velocity in minor-to-moderate crashes. The air bag system's sensors determined the severity of the crash, signaling the appropriate deployment speed. There are also front seat safety belt load limiters and pre-tensioners to go with a Front Passenger Detection System that suppresses air bag deployment if a child or person of small stature is sensed sitting on the passenger seat. Likewise, it also senses the presence of a child restraint on the seat, and will suppress airbag deployment accordingly. This detection system uses a mat sensor embedded in the passenger seat that establishes the occupant's weight and weight distribution. If this is below a certain level, the sensor alerts the SDM central control unit and the front passenger airbag will not deploy. Finally, the Camaro also carries standard OnStar service assists with an Advanced Crash Response System that sends out signals to OnStar for assistance even if the air bags have yet to deploy.

Pricing

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Pricing for the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, together will the optional trims, are included below.

  • 304-hp 3.6L V6 engine
  • EPA est. 29 MPG hwy.3
  • 18-inch Heritage steel wheels
  • StabiliTrak with traction control
  • Foglamps
  • 6-way power driver seat
  • 18-inch painted-aluminum wheels
  • 19-inch painted aluminum wheels
  • Leather-appointed seats with heated front seats
  • Boston Acoustics premium nine-speaker sound system

Packages

Package Price
21" Tire and Wheel Package #2 $4,680
21" Tire and Wheel Package #1 $4,865
Convenience and Connectivity Package $760
RS Package $1,800
Synergy Special Edition Package $2,060
Interior Accent Trim Package $500

Exterior

Option Price
Wheels, 19" Bright Aluminum Wheels $720
Wheels, 20" x 8" Front and 20" x 9" Rear Polished Aluminum $470
Compact Spare Wheel and Tire $150
Cyber Gray Metallic Stripe Package $470
White Stripe Package $470
Black Stripe Package $470
Orange Stripe Package $470
Silver Stripe Package $470
Black Hood and Hockey Stripe Package (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $510
Silver Hood and Hockey Stripe Package (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $510
White Hood and Hockey Stripe Package (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $510
Ground Effects Package (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $2,265
LPO, Quarter flares $325
LPO, Satin Nickel finish fuel door $175
Gray Car Cover with Black Stripes (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $360
Red Car Cover with Black Stripes (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $360

Powertrain

Transmission, 6-Speed Automatic $995
Engine Block Heater $75
Body-Color Painted Engine Cover (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $285

Interior

Carpeted Floor Mats $60
LPO, Cargo mat $135

Dealer installed accessories

Performance Exhaust Upgrade Package $950
Door Sill Plates or Door Step Shields $95
Stripe Package - Body $395
Stripe Package - Body $395
Engine Cover $269
Stripe Package - Body Side $199
Stripe Package - Body $395
Engine Cover $269
Wheel Lock Kit $85
Stripe Package - Body Side $199
Stripe Package - Body $395
Stripe Package - Body Side $199
Performance Exhaust Upgrade Package $750

2011 Chevrolet Camaro

Pricing for the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro, together will the optional trims, are included below.

  • 304-hp 3.6L V6 engine
  • EPA est. 29 MPG hwy.3
  • 18-inch Heritage steel wheels
  • StabiliTrak with traction control
  • Foglamps
  • 6-way power driver seat
  • 18-inch painted-aluminum wheels
  • 19-inch painted aluminum wheels
  • Leather-appointed seats with heated front seats
  • Boston Acoustics® premium nine-speaker sound system
  • 4 piston Brembo® brakes
  • 426-hp 6.2L V8
  • 20-inch Sterling Silver painted aluminum wheels
  • Leather-appointed seats with heated front seats
  • Bluetooth® wireless technology
  • 4 pack auxiliary gauge cluster
  • USB port

Packages

Package Price
21" Tire and Wheel Package #2 $4,680
21" Tire and Wheel Package #1 $4,865
Convenience and Connectivity Package $760
RS Package $1,800
Synergy Special Edition Package $2,060
Interior Accent Trim Package $500

Exterior

Option Price
Wheels, 19" Bright Aluminum Wheels $720
Wheels, 20" x 8" Front and 20" x 9" Rear Polished Aluminum $470
Compact Spare Wheel and Tire $150
Cyber Gray Metallic Stripe Package $470
White Stripe Package $470
Black Stripe Package $470
Orange Stripe Package $470
Silver Stripe Package $470
Black Hood and Hockey Stripe Package (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $510
Silver Hood and Hockey Stripe Package (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $510
White Hood and Hockey Stripe Package (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $510
Ground Effects Package (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $2,265
LPO, Quarter flares $325
LPO, Satin Nickel finish fuel door $175
Gray Car Cover with Black Stripes (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $360
Red Car Cover with Black Stripes (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $360

Powertrain

Transmission, 6-Speed Automatic $995
Engine Block Heater $75
Body-Color Painted Engine Cover (Dealer Installed Option(4)) $285

Interior

Carpeted Floor Mats $60
LPO, Cargo mat $135

Dealer installed accessories

Performance Exhaust Upgrade Package $950
Door Sill Plates or Door Step Shields $95
Stripe Package - Body $395
Stripe Package - Body $395
Engine Cover $269
Stripe Package - Body Side $199
Stripe Package - Body $395
Engine Cover $269
Wheel Lock Kit $85
Stripe Package - Body Side $199
Stripe Package - Body $395
Stripe Package - Body Side $199
Performance Exhaust Upgrade Package $750

2012 Chevrolet Camaro

Pricing for the 2012 Chevy Camaro has yet to be announced, but you can expect it to be similar to what the 2011 version costs.

Competition

Ford Mustang

The new Ford Mustang is powered by an aluminum Duratec V6 complete with modern technologies like DOHC and Ti-VCT. The engine delivers a total of 305 HP and 280 lb-ft of torque combined with a fuel efficient six speed automatic transmission. Prices for the 2011 Mustang start at $22,145 for the V6 version and go up to $32,845 for the GT Premium version.

Dodge Challenger

The 2010 Challenger comes in two trim levels: R/T and SE. The SE version is powered by a 3.5-liter, 250 hp V-6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and the R/T gets a 370hp, 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with a five-speed automatic transmission. Prices for the Challenger range from $22,735 to $41,230.

Conclusion

Who will not want to drive a cool muscle car priced under $30k? Is true there are a few options on the auto market, but for those of you who want to remain faithful to an American model, the Camaro is the perfect car. It is a car with a muscular appearance, and with so many options, we're sure you can configure it just the way you like!

Yes of course that for a few extra money you can get the even more powerful SS version, but that depends on you and your needs. But no matter what trim you will choose, the Camaro will offer an extraordinary acceleration, a cool interior design and good fuel economy.