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LEAN, GREEN AND MEAN

This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!

Published on Tue, Sep 28, 2010

By: The LACar Editorial Staff

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The Chevrolet Camaro with the Synergy Green Metallic package By Harvey Schwartz After an eight-year hiatus, it appears that the all-new 2010 Chevy Camaro is a hit with muscle car enthusiasts. In its first year out, the Camaro is outselling the new 2010 Ford Mustang by a good margin. To keep the momentum going Chevy has introduced a Synergy Green Metallic special edition model that should keep more enthusiasts happy. With a design that is very close to the original 1967-1969 Camaro, with its long hood, short deck, and a low, wide stance, this two-door sports coupe features those classic proportions tightly drawn over a 112.3-inch wheelbase, 190.4-inch total length, 75.5-inch width and 54.2-inch height. The wheels are pushed to the far corners of the muscular fender forms, and a fast, 67 degree rake windshield.

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The front shows the new face of Chevy, with a wide blacked-out center grille, blacked-out lower air-intake, round halogen headlamps, round foglamps, and a lower airdam. The rear shows chrome surround quad squared tail and brake clusters, a bold rear bumper with parking sensors warning of objects that you can’t see when backing up, an integrated lip rear spoiler, a diffuser to better manage the air out the back, and dual, two-inch polished stainless steel exhaust tips at the sides. The silhouette shows the steeply raked A-pillar, drawn up door glass, aerodynamic designed power-remote side mirrors, an arrow head rear quarter class, deep lower side extensions and pull-out door handles. This test vehicle was painted in Synergy Green Metallic paint with cyber gray metallic rally stripes on the domed hood, trunk and integrated lip spoiler. This car really stands out from the crowd, turning heads everywhere I drive it.

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Chevy designers didn’t stop with the exterior. The Synergy Green paint scheme continues on the inside door trim and dashboard, with glowing LED light pipes. They also added black cloth sport bucket seats with green accent stitching, green accent stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, on the door armrest, the leather-wrapped stick shifter, boot, and center console cover. This model is not for the faint at heart as all eyes are glued to you as you pass by or park. The success of the all-new Camaro is not just its retro-exterior style or special paint color package, but what you’ll find inside the cabin when you’re behind the wheel. Inside the four-passenger cabin is a well-executed balance of heritage, modern design and attention to detail conveying simplicity and refinement with contemporary details in the instrument cluster, switches, big dials and lighting.

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Deep recessed gauges, located in square housings outlined in chrome, give a nod to the classic Camaro interior. The instrument panel gauges include a 160 mph speedometer and 8,000 rpm tachometer, with a driver information center located between the large gauges-its readouts and features controlled via a stalk on the left side of the steering column. Our Synergy Green Special Package also included satellite radio, a sporty three-spoke, tilting/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for the audio and Bluetooth phone system, six-way powered driver’s seat, and a full folding rear seat with trunk pass through. A big highlight of this car is the power source under the sheet metal. The 3.6 liter all-aluminum, DOHC V6 with continuous variable valve timing premiered on the Cadillac CTS and is a potent powerplant generating 304 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 273 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm. The flat torque band allows the V6-equipped Camaro to launch out to 60 mph from a standstill in just 5.5 seconds. That’s plenty of acceleration to keep any enthusiast happy and the loud growling sound that the dual exhaust makes when you mash your foot down on the throttle is music to the ears.

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The V6 can be mated to a Warner/Aisin 6-speed manual that I tested, or a 6-speed automatic (optional). The manual is a short-throw and very quick up or down the gears. It is fun and easy to use, and the short, narrow ball-topped shifter fits perfectly in your right hand. The fully independent, sport-tuned suspension is unique and engineered with the 21st. century in mind. Up front is an independent setup with double ball-joint strut geometry and a direct-acting stabilizer bar. The rear suspension features 4.5 links with progressive-rate coil springs over gas-charged mono shocks, an L-shaped upper control arm that attaches to the knuckle at one end and incorporates a ride bushing, three lateral ball joints per side, a de-coupled hollow stabilizer bar and a double-isolated subframe to stiffer the chassis, enhance cornering ability and eliminate noise, vibration or harshness. The wide 63.7-inch front and 64.1-inch rear track further enhances cornering ability and stability at high speeds. The independent rear suspension is a first for Camaro. With a variable ratio power-assisted rack and pinion steering system, the car reacts to my inputs immediately—almost racecar-like. The feel of the road and on-center feel are excellent. Standard StabiliTrak and Traction Control keeps you on your chosen path. With an excellent 52/42 front-rear weight distribution, the car handled with a neutral feel whether going straight-ahead at high speeds or when encountering curving mountain roads. It’s an excellent front and rear setup for this sporty coupe.

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To sum up, this car is well-designed and engineered, fun and easy to drive, fuel efficient, very modestly priced for all the goodies you get. Would you believe only $26,210.00, as tested, for our Synergy Green model? Amazing! © Words and pictures supra by Harvey Schwartz SUMMARY JUDGMENT Plenty of gorgeous green goodies for your green backs.

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SPECIFICATIONS Name: 2010 Chevy Camaro Synergy Green Metallic Special Package Price: $26,090.00 as tested EPA fuel economy rating: 17mpg/city, 29mpg/highway Engine: 3.6 liter, all-aluminum, DOHC, VVT Direct Injection V6 Horsepower: 304 at 6,400 rpm Torque: 273 pound-feet at 5,200 rpm Drive configuration: Front engine/rear-wheel-drive Transmission: Warner/Aisin short-throw 6-speed manual Front suspension: Independent, double ball-joint struts, multi-links, direct-acting stabilizer bar Rear suspension: Independent, 4.5 links, progressive-rate coil springs over monotube shocks; 3 lateral ball joints per side, de-coupled hallow stabilizer bar, double-isolated subframe Wheels/tires: 19X8 painted aluminum alloy/245/50ZR19 Pirelli P Zero Nero tires Brakes: Front: 12.64-inch vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers Rear: 12.4-inch vented discs clamped with single-piston calipers Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Dimensions Length: 190.4 inches Width: 75.5 inches Height: 54.2 inches Curb weight: 3,728 pounds

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