HOT WHEELS!
Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels® Edition

2013 CHEVROLET CAMARO 2SS COUPE HOT WHEELS EDITION By Reed Berry I can’t imagine anyone who has ever played with a Hot Wheels car as a kid, yours truly included, who hasn’t imagined what it would be like to actually be behind the wheel of such a cool, sporty, exceptionally fast vehicle. Since shrinking oneself to fit a toy car isn’t a possibility, at least not yet, Chevrolet has given us the opportunity to realize this childhood dream through a vehicle that is truly hard to resist – the 2013 Chevy Camaro 2SS Hot Wheels Edition. Upon hearing that I’m driving a Hot Wheels Camaro, a friend has commented “Do you have to drive it on a big orange track?” He thinks he’s making a joke, but on a giant orange track is exactly how Chevrolet had this vehicle displayed at last year’s L.A. Auto Show. Certainly a creative and exciting way to stage the vehicle, and I can remember how it made me wish I could get behind the wheel of this eye-catching metallic blue muscle car. The car has finally made its way from that big orange track to my driveway, so drive it I will. This car has a sleek, low profile, but if you want to maintain a low profile, this may not be the car for you. This car gets attention – period! Any Camaro will get the looks because of its bold, sporty styling, but place a few Hot Wheels logos on the body, add a great looking unique rear spoiler and toss on some big 21-inch black-painted wheels with a bright red outline, and driving this car is about as subtle as cruising around town in the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Personally, I like the attention (ok, I LOVE the attention) so it certainly poses no problem for my road test.

The Hot Wheels theme continues throughout the vehicle. The metal door sills, the floor mats and even the seat backs bear the iconic emblem of the popular 45-year-old Mattel brand. Red accent stitching adorns the interior. There’s even a special painted engine cover. Some may say that it borders on overkill, but I think it looks pretty cool. After all, this vehicle was inspired by one of the 16 original Hot Wheels die-cast toy cars, so one should scream it loud and proud. So what exactly is a Camaro 2SS Hot Wheels Edition? Well, quite simply, you take the Camaro 2SS Coupe, priced at just over $36,000, add the Hot Wheels package for an additional $6,995 and voilà – it becomes the Hot Wheels edition. The Camaro2SS is an impressive vehicle on its own, but for those who want something a little different and a surefire conversation starter, the extra cost will undoubtedly be considered money well spent. My test vehicle also includes dual-mode exhaust ($895) and a performance navigation system ($795) bringing the total to $44,820. The interior is quite driver-friendly with conveniently placed controls, many of them on the steering wheel, and a gauge cluster that blends nicely with the car’s stylish appearance. A head-up display projects vehicle speed and other important information on the driver’s side windshield and appears to be floating in air above the hood. More than just a flashy novelty, the head-up display allows the driver to keep their eyes on the road rather than looking down at the dash panel.

Seating is quite comfortable. The front seating surfaces are leather, and are heated for the comfort of the driver and front seat passenger. The steering wheel and shift knob are wrapped in leather to enhance the sporty look and feel. The Camaro 2SS Coupe features the Chevy MyLink system with a high-resolution color touch screen. Entertainment is provided by a premium audio system. There are auxiliary power outlets and a USB port for additional devices. As if the car’s appearance hasn’t already attracted enough attention from those standing nearby, starting the car certainly will. This car sounds every bit as powerful as it is. While this is not the most powerful Camaro on the road these days (the ZL1 features an exhilarating 580-horsepower V8), it does have an impressive 6.2-liter 426-hp V8 engine that delivers enthusiastic performance. Needless to say, acceleration is quick and confident. The engine is paired with an efficient six-speed manual transmission. While the gear box seems a bit tight and really makes shifting a little more work than it needs to be, a manual transmission just seems so right in a car of this type. I realize some drivers prefer an automatic transmission because they either don’t know how to shift manually or they just wish to make their life a little easier in stop-and-go traffic, but a manual transmission allows one to fully experience the true sport characteristics of a powerful performance car.

Considering its hefty curb weight of just under 4,000 lbs, the car handles exceptionally well. The electric assist power steering and Stabilitrak with traction control work well together, resulting in handling that is solid and balanced. Cornering is precise and almost effortless. Braking is also quite solid thanks to an anti-lock braking system and Brembo performance brakes. The ride is fairly smooth for a performance car that should and does provide a good feel of the road. If you’re heading out on a road trip, you will find sufficient room in the trunk for luggage and other essentials. Considering the type and size of car this is, 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space is more than adequate. Another advantage is that in the hard top versions of the Camaro, you can utilize the entire trunk, whereas in Camaro convertibles you sacrifice quite a bit of trunk space to accommodate the convertible top. Is this car perfect for everyone? Probably not. Due to the low roof line of the vehicle, getting in and out requires a little extra effort which may not be ideal for people with unique height, weight or back issues. And if you’re the type of person that likes the security of having a spare tire with you, you may be a little less than thrilled to learn that Camaro comes with tire sealant and an inflator kit in place of an actual spare tire. Overall, however, the 2013 Camaro 2SS Hot Wheels Edition packs a lot of punch for your car buying dollar. Whether you are in need of a great looking performance car or simply want something a bit unique that literally screams “LOOK AT ME!!,” the Hot Wheels car you played with as a kid can now be parked in your very own driveway.

For more information about Chevrolet products, go to www.chevrolet.com SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Coupe Hot Wheels Edition Price: Camaro 2SS Coupe: $36,135 Hot Wheels Edition, as tested: $44,820 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates (City/Highway): City / Highway: 24 / 16 Engine type: 6.2-liter V8 with sequential fuel injection Horsepower: 426 @ 5,900 rpm Torque: 420 @ 4,600 rpm Transmission type: 6-speed manual transmission Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive Steering: Power steering, variable ratio, electric Brakes: 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; Brembo performance brakes with vented discs Wheels: 21” black-painted aluminum wheels with red outline stripe Dimensions Overall length: 190.4 Overall width: 75.5 Overall height: 54.2 Wheelbase: 112.3 inches Curb weight: 3,860 lbs