Chevrolet Camaro, a Good overall performance budget sports car
The Chevrolet Camaro started out in the late 1960s as an answer to the Ford Mustang. it could be had coupe or convertible form and with six-cylinder or V8 power. As the Camaro went through the '70s, it, like other sporty cars of the era, lost performance and gained more stripes and spoilers. It wasn't until the mid-'80s, when the Camaro once again had some respectable power under the hood along with an athletic chassis that the popular pony car regained its performance reputation.
Four distinct generations of the Camaro were developed before production ended in 2002. The nameplate was revived again on a concept car that evolved into the fifth-generation Camaro; production started on March 16, 2009.
The first generation Camaro debuted in September 1966, for the 1967 model year, up to 1969 on a new rear-wheel drive GM F-body platform and would be available as a 2-door, 2+2 seating, coupe or convertible with a choice of 250 cu in (4.1 L) inline-6 and 302 cu in (4.9 L), 307 cu in (5.0 L), 327 cu in (5.4 L), 350 cu in (5.7 L), or 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8 powerplants.
Introduced in February 1970, the second generation Camaro was produced through the 1981 model year, with cosmetic changes made in 1974 and 1978 model years. The car was heavily restyled and became somewhat larger and wider with the new styling.
Still based on the F-body platform, the new Chevrolet Camaro was similar to its predecessor, with a unibody structure, front subframe, an A-arm front suspension and leaf springs to control the solid rear axle.
The third generation Camaro was produced from 1982 to 1992. These were the first Camaros to offer modern fuel injection, Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 four-speed automatic transmissions, five speed manual transmissions, 16 inch wheels, a standard 4-cylinder engine, and hatchback bodies.
The cars were nearly 500 pounds (227 kg) lighter than the second generation model.
The fourth generation Camaro debuted in 1993 on an updated F-body platform. It retained the same characteristics since its introduction in 1967: a coupe body style with 2+2 seating (with an optional T-top roof) or convertible (introduced in 1994), rear-wheel drive, and a choice of V6 and V8 engines.
The standard powerplant from 1993-1995 was a 3.4 liter V6. A more powerful 3.8 liter V6 was introduced as an option in 1995 and made standard in 1996. The LT1 V-8 engine, which was introduced in the Corvette in 1992, was standard in the Z28.
Optional equipment included all-speed traction control and a new six-speed T-56 manual transmission; a four-speed automatic transmission was also available. Anti-lock brakes were standard equipment on all Camaros.
The 1997 model year included a revised interior, and the 1998 models included exterior styling changes, and a switch to GM's aluminum block LS1 used in the Corvette C5.
The Camaro remained in production through the 2002 model year, marking 35 years of continuous production. Production of the F-Body platform was stopped due to slowing sales, a deteriorating market for sports coupes, and plant overcapacity.
Based on the 2006 Camaro Concept and 2007 Camaro Convertible Concept, production of the fifth generation Camaro was approved on 10 August 2006. Oshawa Car Assembly produces the new Camaro which went on sale in spring of 2009 as a 2010 model year vehicle.
Production of the coupe began on March 16, 2009, in LS, LT, and SS trim levels. LS and LT models are powered by a 3.6 L (220 cu in) V6 producing 312 hp (233 kW) mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic with manual shift.
The SS is powered by the 6.2 L (376 cu in) LS3 V8 producing 426 hp (318 kW) and is paired with a 6-speed manual.
The automatic SS gets the L99 V8 with 400 hp (300 kW).
The RS appearance package is available on both the LT and SS and features 20-inch wheels with a darker gray tone, halo rings around xenon headlamps, and red RS or SS badges.
On the road any of these Chevrolet Camaros will provide brisk performance, a good ride and respectable handling, while the SS versions should satisfy the most ardent acceleration addicts.
with prices ranging from $22000-25000 the Chevrolet camaro is fairly priced especially with its strong performance, relatively good fuel economy, mechanical reliability, cargo capacity, handling and styling.
However there are some complaints about the cheap interior construction, a smallish interior considering the body size and occasionally leaky T-tops.
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