Introduced in 1966, the Chevrolet Camaro went on a 35-year production run and four distinct generations of body design before production ceased in 2002. After a 7 year hiatus, the beloved American icon is back in 2010, and it is bolder and meaner than ever, facing its domestic rivals; the 2010 Ford Mustang and 2009 Dodge Challenger.

Its a rarity to find a car that grabs everyone’s attention and commands an unprecedented amount of respect. That is exactly what we experienced on our drive to our nation’s capital this past fourth of July as every man, woman, and child we encountered was awe-struck at the very sight of the car. That being said, the ‘10 Camaro has redefined the pony car segment, and as far as muscle cars go it is hands down the best bang for the buck. Transformers fans can also revel at the opportunity to own their very own AutoBot.

Click through to read more and to view our high-res gallery with 103 images.

Reviewed: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS:

Exterior:

From every angle the 2010 Camaro looks modern but maintains an overall retro look and feel (some may disagree with us on this point). Staying true to its concept form introduced in 2006, the 2010 Camaro has an outright muscular stance.

A closer look will reveal many Corvette influenced features. On the top, you’ll notice that GM designers threw in a little Corvette design and sculpted twin cockpits across the roof, giving the vehicle a distinctive Chevrolet presence. The B-pillar is designed to provide increased structural rigidity to the Camaro. The rear wheel arches feature a “V” design reminiscent of the Corvette as well. Other design cues include the cosmetic “Gills” located in the front of the rear quarter panel and a cosmetic air intake located on the hood of the SS models.

An RS appearance package is available on the LT and SS models and includes HID headlamps with integrated halo rings, 20-inch wheels with a Midnight Silver finish, and a rear spoiler on the LT, as the SS comes stock with a rear spoiler. Also available to buyers are racing stripes, and the all new Transformers Special Edition Package, priced at $470 and $995 respectively.

Interior:

Located just below the A/C controls and in front of the shifter are the traction control switch, power outlet, and gauges that report voltage, oil pressure, transmission temperature, and oil temperature. Though this is a rather odd location for gauges, the efficient design prevents the gauges from being hindered by the shift knob and the AC controls. The dramatically designed A/C controls, located just below the radio, sport two large knobs with the climate control switches, on either side of the power door lock and hazard light switches. The retro styled radio with blue-lit display and silver buttons pops dramatically from the dash, contributing to a sharper designed dash.

The gauge cluster is split into three parts; two large silver squares on either side housing the tachometer and speedometer, within which are smaller coolant temperature and fuel gauges, and between the squares is a multifunctional screen that displays statistics such as; odometer reading, trip computer, average MPG, outside temperature, transmission mode/gear, etc. The steering wheel keeps the interior’s retro theme quite nicely with its black leather wrap, silver accents, and red stitching, the wheel mounted cruise control buttons and radio controls are brilliantly designed and much appreciated. The interior door panels are also sleek in their design, with comfortable armrests to match the center console, large red plastic inserts with ambient red lighting that flows onto the dashboard, and hidden-from-view chrome handles.

Although we generally were impressed by the interior, it was not by any means, without flaw, after all, this is a $30,000 muscle car. The excessively long doors hinder entry and exit when parked along side another object, the unusable, small rear seats can not justifiably be for any purpose other than securing a lower insurance rate, and the dashboard and rear side panels sound hollow, an indication of low quality materials. The black cloth covered ceiling is a beautiful touch, but the front dome-light/Homelink unit is poorly set in place, as it seems to be held by poorly designed clips. All things considered however, the interior of the 2010 Camaro blows away that of the competition.

Performance:

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is available in three different-trim levels. Entry level models include the LS and LT which are powered by a 3.6 liter direct-injected V6 which gives 300-hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 60 mph comes in just 6.1 seconds, with top speed electronically limited at 155 mph. Even with those performance figures, the V6 Camaro returns an EPA rated 29 mpg on the highway (we’ll be testing that in the near future).

Our test car, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, was powered by a 6.2L LS3 V8 mated to a 6-speed automatic which provided a whopping 400-hp and maximum torque of 395 lb-ft. Opting for the manual will increase those figures to 422-hp and 408 lb-ft. 0 to 60 is clocked at 4.6 seconds.

Underpinning the 2010 Camaro is GM’s global rear-wheel-drive platform (from the Pontiac G8) which has been stretched out to a 112.3-inch wheelbase, with an overall length of 190.4 inches. The front track is a wide 63.7 inches (1,618 mm) for all models, while the rear track on SS model is 63.7 inches. The new independent rear suspension is a first for the Camaro. It’s a 4.5-link system that includes a unique, L-shaped upper control arm that attaches to the knuckle at one end and incorporates a ride bushing in the rear. Two suspension packages are offered but our 2010 Camaro SS test-car was based on an FE3 performance package, which is a little stiffer than its V6 counterpart. The result is a very sporty yet refined driving experience for the Camaro.

Stopping power for the SS models comes from a Brembo braking system with 355 mm x 32 mm vented rotors and four-piston aluminum calipers. Semi-metallic brake linings are used for superior fade resistance and pedal feel. The four piston caliper rear brakes are vented Brembos measuring 365 mm x 28 mm. In layman’s terms, that means outstanding braking power, which will leave you smiling every time you go from 60 to 0 mph in just 105 feet.

Overall:

When it comes to getting the most value for your money, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is the clear winner. With great looks, outstanding performance, and sharp driving dynamics, the 2010 Camaro is priced affordably to compete strong against its other pony car rivals. Prices for the 305-hp 2010 Chevrolet Camaro LS (the base model) start at $22,245. Compare that to a 210-hp 2010 Mustang which starts at $20,995 or a 250-hp Dodge Challenger SE – and you begin to see the picture.

Things become even clearer when you start comparing the 2010 Camaro SS as to the 2010 Mustang GT or the Challenger RT. The 426-hp 2010 Camaro SS starts at $30,245, while the 315-hp 2010 Mustang GT and the 375-hp 2009 Dodge Challenger RT start at $27,995 and $30,945 respectively.

Of course, for those looking to compete in the high-performance muscle car segment, Ford offers the 540-hp 2010 Shelby GT500 while Dodge offers the 425-hp Challenger SRT8. The Camaro Z28 is reported to be launched in 2011. Power is expected to come from the same 556-hp 6.2L LSA V8 supercharged engine from the Cadillac CTS-V. A convertible variant is also due out in 2011.

If anyone were to ask us which muscle car they should purchase in 2009 – our answer would emphatically be; the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

Reviewed: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS:

-By Stephen Calogera and Ari Klots

- All Photos Copyright ©2009 Omar Rana – egmCarTech.

Today at Comic-con in San Diego, GM announced the release of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Special Edition allowing us Autobot fans a chance to become Sam Witwicky and have our very own Bumblebee parked in our garage.

“When the first TRANSFORMERS movie was setting box office records, we had countless customers asking to purchase the ‘BUMBLEBEE’ Camaro,” said Karen Rafferty, product marketing director, Chevrolet. “Now, they can buy one with the new Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition. Streets all over North America will be buzzing in no time.”

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition includes the following:

- AUTOBOT® shield on the driver and passenger side panels
- AUTOBOT® shield on each of the four wheel’s center cap
- AUTOBOT® shield embroidered on interior center console
- “TRANSFORMERS” logo on driver and passenger doors’ sill plates
- “TRANSFORMERS” logo embedded into the hood rally stripes
- High-gloss black center rally stripe package
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price of package: $995

The Transformers Special Edition Package is available on both versions of the Camaro: 304-hp V6 and the V8 Camaro SS. Dealers are now taking orders for the car.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Special Edition:

- By: Omar Rana

As we put together our review of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS that we had last week, we realize how much we fell in love with the little sucker. We have yet to test a car that turned that many heads and earned us that much respect. Either way, we decided to include some pictures of our burnout session with the Camaro SS in today’s Miscellaneous Thoughts post.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS burnout pictures:

New Bugatti teased in party invitation: Bugatti has been talking about a new model for a while now, which is expected to make its debut in September. A new blurry picture is floating around the internet today and is said to be the first teaser of the new supercar from an invitation to a Bugatti party. – Jalopnik

- By: Omar Rana

We’re still trying to get over our heartbreak when we said goodbye to our 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS press car last week. Nonetheless, we kept our spirits up knowing we had something to look forward to when we heard some new details on the Camaro Z28. Well, while Lutz has gotten us all excited about the Pontiac G8 being rebadged as a Chevrolet Caprice, he hinted in an interview with Automobile Magazine that the Camaro Z28 may not see production (depending on how you interpret his words).

Assuring us that GM Performance cars will live on in the new General Motors Company, Lutz said that there “is no pressure at all to get off the high-performance thing.” However, he said that with stricter fuel-economy standards the mainstream sports car formula will move away from big V8s and to the likes of a 304-hp V6 Camaro, which averages 29 mpg on the highway.

The Camaro Z28 would be GM’s answer to the 2010 Ford Mustang GT500. Power was rumored to come from the supercharged LSA engine from the CTS-V making 556-hp.

So Lutz confirms that the CTS-V Coupe will definitely be produced – but the Camaro Z28 is a big no-no? We’re going to have to file this under misinterpretation and rumors for now.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automobile Magazine

There are a couple of European models that we wish would make it to the stateside. Vice versa, there are some Europeans that wish they had the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro on their roads. Well, their wishes are about to come true.

GM has now confirmed that it plans to sell the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro in Europe. With sales of the 2010 Camaro off to a strong start in North America, GM is hoping to capitalize on the model’s popularity.

No word on prices or when the Camaro will make it to Europe, but it is said that both V6 and the V8 SS will make it to Europe.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

The next-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z28 won’t arrive until 2011 – some time after the convertible Camaro makes its debut. That will give the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 some time to eat up some of the high-performance muscle car segment. However, if you can’t wait until ’some time after 2011,’ Hennessey is offering its HPE550 performance package for the Camaro that takes output up to 562-hp (the Camaro Z28 is rumored to get the 556-hp 6.2L LSA V8 supercharged engine from the Cadillac CTS-V).

The folks at Inside Line happened to have the new 2010 Shelby GT500 and Hennessey’s HPE550 on hand at the same time and decided to put the two high-performance muscle cars head-to-head.

You can check out a video of their test after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

As you already know by now, we took delivery of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS yesterday. We’ve been out test-driving and having fun in it and it is now time to provide you with some updates along with some random findings we’ve come across on the Internet.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS: Unfortunately, the 2010 Camaro SS we took delivery of yesterday is an automatic. As enthusiasts, we prefer a manual transmission; nonetheless, we’re getting pretty used to the paddle-shifting that is offered with the automatic transmission. To answer some questions we’ve received from you guys so far:

Pat: Can you tell us the number of people that have come up to you to check it out?

As far as we can remember, we’ve had at least 12 people ask us questions. One man even asked us to pull over and take a look on the inside.

Ivan Gutierrez: No love for the Mustang GT?

As of right now we’re at an all time 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS high. Our review for the 2010 Ford Mustang GT is coming up on Monday – stay tuned (maybe even tomorrow).

RT: really want to know how it makes u feel driving it? I don’t care much about handling since its not meant to be driven that way, but is it a rewarding car when u put ur foot down, is it memorable, special?

You almost feel like Sam Witwicky driving the 2010 Camaro. It feels totally amazing driving the car; not to mention handling is very much on par with European performance cars. Putting your foot down and feeling the 426-hp push you back is one of the best feelings about this car.

On a side note: We noticed today that the hood vent on the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is totally cosmetic and serves no purpose on cooling the engine.

11 Cars you’ll see on the roads by 2014: Forbes has just put together a list of 11 cars you’ll be driving in 2014. The list includes the Alfa Romeo MiTo, BMW X1, Fiat 500, Cadillac Converj (don’t bet on that one), Ford C-Max, Honda CR-Z, MINI E and Mini Crossman and the Volkswagen BlueSport. – CNNMoney

- By: Omar Rana

We just took delivery of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS and I will be driving it around for the next 10 days (honestly, I can’t get myself to get away from it). I’ll be posting live updates throughout my test drive so you can follow me on Twitter and I’ll be sure to post live updates right here every single day. Make sure you ask all the questions you want – I’ll be sure to answer as many as I can.

- By: Omar Rana

The last time the Chevrolet Camaro outsold the Ford Mustang for a full year was in 1985. Well, history may repeat itself this year. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro outsold the new 2010 Ford Mustang in June 2009 9,320 to 7,362. The last time the Camaro outsold the Mustang in a monthly sales race was October 1993 – during when Chevy sold 10,985 Camaros and Ford sold only 5,680 Mustangs.

GM’s vice president of sales, service and marketing Mark LeNeve, said that nearly every 2010 Camaro sale in June was retail and that the figure was nearly double the number GM expected. LeNeve said that the new Camaro sold the best in California and that GM only has a six-day supply left of the model, reports Automotive News.

Dealers have reported selling the 2010 Camaro right of the delivery truck with some customers paying as much as $500 over the sticker price.

On a side note: We will be picking up the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS for 10 days later today. Stay tuned for live updates and coverage everyday of the week.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

- By: Omar Rana

General Motors, which is hoping to come out of bankruptcy by August, is struggling to keep up with the demand for the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. According to GM spokesman Terry Rhadigam, the automaker has filled about half of the 25,000 2010 Camaro orders taken.

GM began producing the 2010 Camaro in March and sold a total of 5,463 units in May.

According to a report form Kelley Blue Book, the 2010 Camaro is being sold with no incentives with prices starting at $22,995 for the V6 model and $30,995 for the V8 Camaro SS.

“It is actually commanding a premium right now, as it is selling slightly above MSRP,” said Kelley Blue Book spokeswoman Joanna McNally. “Camaros are currently selling for nearly $500 above MSRP.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Bloomberg

As people take up my time to ask me about “that box” (2009 Nissan Cube) I’ve driving around, I’ve taken some time out to compile some of the random things we’ve come across on the internet today.

Hennessey HPE550 Camaro on eBay: With Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in theaters and the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS headed to our garage next week, we are at an all-time Camaro-high (we kind of always are here at egmCarTech). A completed Hennessey HPE550 Camaro has ended up on eBay with a starting bid of $59,950. Currently there are no bids. Not a fan of eBay? Not a problem. Hennessey sells its 562-hp HPE550 package for $18,950 plus shipping, or $24,950 installed. You’ll just have to provide your own 2010 Camaro. – eBay

Best Car puts together a rendering of a production Honda CR-Z Hybrid: Japan’s Best Car magazine has taken a shot at a computer rendering that gives us our first look at the production version of the Honda CR-Z Hybrid. Best Car, which calls the production model the CR-ZX, says that the next hybrid from Honda will be powered by a modified version of the Insight’s hybrid system combining a 1.5L gasoline engine. – Best Car (via CarScooop)

2009 Nissan Cube Test Drive update: If you don’t know by now you need to visit us more often. I’m driving the 2009 Nissan Cube this week as our press car and so far I’ve managed to get a 5-year old girl to hate it, learned how to park it and averaged 26.1 mpg. Today, while getting some grub from the drive-thru at Wendy’s, I found the best feature on the 2009 Nissan Cube – the cup holder hiding on the left side of the steering wheel. It’s easy to reach and sits right next to a vent to keep your drink cool or hot depending on your preference. – Follow us on Twitter to ask me questions about the Cube.

- By: Omar Rana

You better believe we’re going to head to the theaters on the eve of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen release date and catch good seating for a midnight show.

It’s a bond between man and machine that very few understand and it seems like these Chinese citizens take it to the next level.

Celebrating the release of the sequel, a bunch of Transformers, Bumblebee and Camaro fans in China got together to go on a parade. It seems like on one Camaro was on hand, while others took their yellow Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Accords and Nissans and tricked them out with black striping to show support for their favorite AutoBot.

Click through for more pictures.

Chinese show love for Transformers, Camaro and Bumblebee:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: ChinaCarTimes (via Jalopnik)

It’s that time of the day again – you know the time where we gather up some random findings into one post. So here it goes.

Transform your 2010 Chevrolet Camaro into KITT: When the new Knight Rider TV series (which has fortunately been cancelled) made its debut with the Shelby GT500KR, many Camaro fans were disappointed that the Mustang was picked over their favorite Chevy muscle car. So much so that they decided to create their own 64 LED KITT scanner that can be hard-wired to the battery of the 2010 Camaro. Each kit runs for about $160, and you can purchase it from the company’s Web site here. Check out the video below to see how it’ll look in the end  - Camaro5

2010 Toyota Prius sales reach 180,000 in Japan: It seems like Toyota is all about providing us with updates on how its 2010 Prius is selling. Latest word has it that Toyota got 180,000 orders for the new Prius hybrid in Japan in just a month. Congrats to the ‘10 Prius. – MSNBC

Press car of the week: We just took delivery of the 2009 Nissan Cube. Look out for a full review coming soon. Let us know what you’d like to know about the car in the comments section below. Any questions? Feel free to ask us and we’ll address them in our review.

For now, check out our 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP review and look out for our full review of the 2010 Ford Mustang GT coming early next week.

- By: Omar Rana

GM today launched the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro in the Middle East. Sales of the new 300-hp V6 powered LT model and the 422-hp V8 Camaro SS will begin in the region later this summer.

“The all-new Camaro delivers the great looks, performance and technology that Middle East buyers expect in a modern sports car,” said Michael Devereux, President of GM Middle East. “Enthusiasts in the region started booking their cars months ago, and we expect our allocation of this iconic vehicle to sell out very quickly.”

Buyers in the Middle East region can configure and pre-order their 2010 Camaro now by visiting Chevrolet’s exclusive regional website at www.camaroarabia.com.

While you could probably care less about the Camaro being launched in the Middle East, GM has released a bunch of beautiful high-res images which you can check out after the jump.

Click through for the high-res photo gallery.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro (Middle East):

- By: Omar Rana

Ever wonder how the new muscle car generation compares to their classic predecessors? So did these people that decided to drag race a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS against a 1968 Camaro SS. Both models have the RS packages.

However, the 1968 Camaro SS is not stock. It has a 406 cubic inch V8 with a 5-speed manual and a 3.73:1 posi rear end. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is stock with some nice looking GM Performance Parts accessories.

There is also a video of the 2010 Camaro SS racing against a 1972 Chevelle big block and a Mustang GT500. 

Oh, and did we mention that all these races take place on a bridge? Very daring.

Click through for the videos.

2010 Camaro SS vs. 1968 Camaro SS:

2010 Camaro SS vs. 1972 Chevelle:

2010 Camaro SS vs. Ford Shelby GT500:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: YouTube (via Camaro5)

Finally, an edition of Miscellaneous Thoughts that isn’t focused around GM’s bankruptcy filing. However, we find the first crime (that we’re aware of) committed against the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro and find out that men (which makes up all of egmCarTech’s staff) are twice as likely to fall asleep behind the wheel.

Chevrolet Camaro wheels stolen: Camaro5 forum member Number 3 woke up to a very painful sight this past Sunday when he found the 18-inch wheels on his 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT missing. Apparently thieves stole the wheels overnight and left the Camaro sitting in the driveway. We’re hoping that there is no damage to the exhaust or oil pan. Nonetheless, the perpetrators of this crime shouldn’t be too hard to find since there aren’t many 18-inch wheels for the 2010 Camaro on eBay. – Camaro5 

Men twice as likely to fall asleep while driving: According to a study by insurance company AAMI, men are twice as likely than woman to fall asleep when driving. ”Along with speed and alcohol, fatigue is one of the main contributors to road fatalities and injuries,” AAMI corporate affairs manager Mike Sopinski said in a statement. Make sure you get enough sleep people! – drive

DeVry to replace GM in S&P 500: Listen – we did our best to avoid GM headlines today so let us slip one in here.  Standard & Poor’s said it will replace General Motors with post-secondary education company DeVry in the S&P 500 index after the close of trading today. – WSJ 

- By: Kap Shah

GM announced earlier this morning that it is key vehicle launch for 2009 and 2010 are on track. While eight brands may have sounded like a good idea at one time, GM will now focus on four core brands including Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick.

Those four brands will be responsible for the launch of eight new models starting this summer and through the end of 2010. If somewhere in your heart you still have love for GM products (and we’re not ashamed to say that we do), we’re wondering which of the new eight model you’re looking forward to the most.

The list includes the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, 2010 Buick LaCrosse, 2010 Cadillac SRX, 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2010 GMC Terrain.

Have your say by casting your vote in the poll below.

Follow the jump to see the high-res image gallery of each model.

2010 Buick LaCrosse:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

2010 Chevrolet Cruze:

2010 Chevrolet Equinox:

2010 Chevrolet Volt:

2010 Cadillac SRX:

2010 Cadillac Sport Wagon:

2010 GMC Terrain:

- By: Kap Shah

In all of the statements released today by General Motors, the now bankrupt automaker said that its new products and technologies are on track. It said that that the New GM will continue with key vehicle launches in 2009 and 2010 including the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, 2010 Buick LaCrosse, 2010 Cadillac SRX and CTS Sport Wagon, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, Cruze and Volt along with the 2010 GMC Terrain.

“Our products are our future, and our lineup of new cars and crossovers are a great foundation for success,” said CEO Fritz Henderson. “The New GM is here to stay, and our brands position us to compete well in profitable segments with vehicles that are second-to-none.”

GM said that it will launch the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid by the end of 2010 and expects to have 14 hybrid models in production by 2012. It said that 65 percent of its vehicles will be alternative-fuel capable by 2014.

“The New GM will become a long-term global leader in the development of fuel-efficient and advanced-technology vehicles,” said Henderson. “In doing so, the New GM will contribute to the development of advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities in the United States, which are critical to the future of the U.S. economy.”

- By: Kap Shah