November 18, 2016 – Have you ever had high expectations for something, but that something kicked your expectations in the face as it completely blew your mind and went way beyond what you were anticipating? That’s exactly my story with the brand new Chevrolet Camaro SS.
The car doesn’t really need any introductions because if you don’t know what the Camaro is, you probably shouldn’t be reading this article right now, or you should help yourself with Wikipedia to know more about the legendary pony car.
Since its birth in 1967, the Camaro has always been an attractive sports car and the new sixth-generation model does not fail to deliver in the aesthetics department. I believe it’s the perfect interpretation of a modern Camaro, as it maintains the muscle car essence and projects it in a very stylish and upmarket dress.
It’s the same story in the cockpit where Chevrolet has made major improvements in terms of quality and refinement: everything you see inside the Camaro SS feels good to the touch and it’s all been packaged in a daring retro design.
I’ve always heard complaints about the visibility inside the Camaro due to the low-slung roof and raised beltline, but I was surprised to find out that it’s actually not bad at all.
The Camaro SS is equipped with loads of features including a head-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated/ventilated power seats, a rear-view camera, parking sensors, auto-dimming mirrors, and Chevrolet’s easy-to-use MyLink infotainment system that can be accessed via an 8-inch touchscreen. Not bad for a car that’s more performance-oriented.
However, the crown jewel of this yellow brute is its 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 455 horsepower and an incredible 617 Nm of torque. It’s the same engine found in the Corvette C7, and if you think it’s too much power, you can always opt for the less-expensive-but-just-as-impressive Camaro RS that comes with a 3.6-liter V6 generating 335 hp and 385 Nm of torque.
Mated to the beastly LT1 engine is a quick 8-speed automatic transmission – with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters – that propels the Camaro SS from 0 to 100 km/h in a neck-snapping 4 seconds. You get a 0.3-second penalty with the optional 6-speed manual.
If you think that American cars “can’t take a corner”, you need a reality check because the Camaro SS’s cornering ability and road-handling are outstanding. The car feels agile and light on its feet, and this has a lot to do with it being 100 kilograms lighter than the previous-generation model. Not only that, but it’s also pretty smooth and soaks up poor road surfaces rather well.
Turn Traction Control off and you’ll discover that Bumblebee is quite playful but also very controllable as it’s easy to subdue its rear-end, and I believe that’s an essential ingredient in its charm because power is nothing without control.
The 2016 Camaro SS is a sensational beauty and beast: it scores exceptionally well in every performance test from acceleration and braking to cornering and handling, and it does all of that while being a comfortable daily cruiser.
I better buy me a piggy bank…
Special thanks to IMPEX – Chevrolet’s official distributor in Lebanon – for the opportunity.
Photography by Charles Kai from The Action Crew.
