2010 Camaro SS

At first glance, the 2010 Camaro SS makes us feel like we’ve stepped back in time to a more innocent era when gas was cheap. Yet the 2010 muscle car is more than just a retro-mobile.

It’s the long-awaited revival of General Motors’ classic American pony car. First seen in 1967, the iconic design that GM designers have liberally borrowed from debuted two years later.

Sure, it’s got the bones of the most popular Camaro in the brand’s long history, with its egg-crate grille, Coke-bottle silhouette and the muscular kick-up of its rear shoulders. But this is a decidedly modern interpretation, taking advantage of state-of-the-art engineering and technology. The long side aperture, for example, running front fender to rear, is stamped from a single piece of steel, a task impossible during the classic muscle car era.

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The “halo rings” around the headlights add a decidedly contemporary touch as well.

The 2010 SS is the most powerful version of the new Camaro and the only one with a V-8, in this case, turning out a solid 426-horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque with the manual transmission.

With the new 6-speed automatic, the engine had to be detuned slightly to 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet. But with the auto box you get cylinder deactivation, which shuts off four cylinders during low power demand, improving highway mileage to 16 city/25 highway, from 16/24 for the stick.

If you’re willing to sacrifice performance for fuel economy, the still sporty Camaro LS and RS models get 30 mpg on the highway out of their V-6s.

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The new Camaro SS will turn 0 to 60 times in 4.7 seconds, despite its 3,800-pound heft, which is notably quicker than domestic competitors like the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang GT, as well as the new Nissan 370Z. But the Chevy coupe delivers more than just straight-line performance, in part because of its new, independent rear suspension.

The 2010 Camaro SS is arguably the best version of the pony car in more than 40 years, and it will give challenge to just about anything in its class. Sadly, the planned convertible version has been delayed and the even more powerful Z28 model has been cancelled. But expect to see the SS burning rubber as it flies out of dealer showrooms.

2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS
Miles per gallon: 16 city/24 highway with six-speed manual, 16/25 with six-speed automatic.

Engine options: 6.2-liter LS3 V-8, 426 hp/420 pound-feet, with manual; 400/410 with automatic.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (base): $30,995.

Cost fully loaded: $35,000.