There's no question that when it comes to Ford's venerable Mustang, the V-6 is the bread winner of the family. While most enthusiasts scoff at the notion of such a thing, it is necessary for the pony car's survival. The rental car companies have to have them, as well as a largely female demographic. So it's no surprise that the new Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro are also being offered with a 6.
With the Camaro, however, Chevy is going a slightly different route. The "base" DOHC, 24 valve 3.6L V-6 that if offers is one sourced from the Cadillac GTS, and it's a runner. Although final output hasn't been determined yet, Chevy admits that it's going to pump out at least 300 horsepower and should deliver economy ratings of 18/26.
The other good news is that not one, but two six speeds will be offered with the V-6: an Aisin manual and a HydroMatic automatic with wheel-mounted manual shift buttons (the V-8 manual will be a Tremec unit). All base Camaros will be equipped with an FE2 suspension package, though chief engineer Doug Houlihan says Chevy is "considering" adding, as an option, the uprated FE3 suspension that will be standard on V-8 cars.
Base tires are 245/55R18 M+S BFGoodrich Traction T/As on 18-in. alloys; optional rubber will include 19- and 20-in. Pirellis (the latter available in summer or snow versions) plus an available 21-in. wheel-and-tire upgrade (summer only). Brakes are single-piston calipers all around, with cast-iron rotors (12.1 in.) up front and aluminum discs (12.4 in.) in back. (All Camaro V-8s will sport bigger, four-piston Brembo binders and a larger master cylinder for improved brake feel.)
An optional RS package will include the 20-in. rims plus HID headlamps, a rear spoiler, and door-sill trim, among other upgrades.
Chevy has been recording 6.1 second 0-60 times, but their goal is to get it down to 5.9 seconds. Top speed is an electronically limited 155 mph.
Base price will be set in the low to mid 20K range.
While Chevy has a lot of ground to make up for the Camaro to be successful and long lasting, it appears to be doing the right thing. For once, even hardcore enthusiasts won't be able to scoff at a base model. And maybe even some of them will be getting their doors blown off by one.
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