Motortrend: 2010 V6 vs 1967 350 SS

[christianjax]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...350/index.html


By The Numbers: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6 vs 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS-350
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By Angus MacKenzie
We've driven the base, V-6-powered 2010 Camaro, and we're impressed. Actually, we're more than impressed. At first acquaintance, the entry-level version of Chevy's 21st century ponycar looks and feels a winner. It's smooth, quick, and accomplished on the road, with great steering, nice chassis balance, and good grip, even on the standard 18-in. wheel/tire combo. We can't wait to drive the V-8.

But with the hassle of high gas prices, the looming threat of the new 35-mpg CAFE laws, the worrying knocks from the engine room of the American auto industry -- all the stuff that has the doomsayer enthusiasts pining for the good old days -- this new Camaro got us thinking: Who needs a V-8?



We haven't had the chance to track test a new Camaro yet, of course, but this is what we do know about the numbers: More than 300 hp under the hood; a 0-60-mph time of at least 6.1 sec or better; EPA fuel consumption numbers of 18/26 mpg; a price tag of around $24,000. Independent suspension all round. Disc brakes all round. Alloy wheels. Available six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

This is the base model, remember.

Let's rewind four decades, back to those good old days and the original 1967 Camaro. Back then the base model boasted -- if that's the right word -- a 140-hp straight-six under the hood, three-on-the-tree manual transmission, live rear axle, drum brakes all round, steel wheels with dog-dish hubcaps, and taxi-cab interior trim. Not so much a ponycar as a motorized mule, really.



Four decades ago, Camaro fun actually started with the V-8s, the 327, and the SS-350. There were a number of different output and transmission combinations available, but in late 1966, we tested a coupe fitted with the 210-hp 327 driving through a two-speed (count 'em) Powerglide automatic, and a 295-hp SS-350 coupe with a four-speed stick. The numbers are revealing.

The 327 auto wheezed to 60 mph in 10.7 sec and ran the quarter in 18.2 sec at 77 mph. Just for perspective, the 8974-lb Ford F-450 King Ranch dualie we tested during the 2008 Truck of the Year judging last year was two tenths of a second faster to 60 mph and a half second quicker over the quarter mile. How'd the hot-shot SS-350 go? Zip to 60 mph in 8.0 sec, with the quarter mile coming up in 15.4 sec at 90 mph. Gas mileage? We estimated in the 12-13-mpg range.


By The Numbers: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6 vs 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS-350
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Okay, but a fully loaded SS-350 cost just a few bucks over $3400 back in 1967. The 2010 V-6 is likely to sticker at $24,000 or so. But here's where it gets interesting. The V-6 promises to be 25% quicker to 60 mph than the SS-350 (and probably seven to 10% faster over the quarter mile, according to our projections) while using 25 to 50% less gas. Yet in terms of the hours we average wage slaves will have to work to be able to buy one (according to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics), it's only going to cost about eight percent more.

Don't get us wrong -- we still want a new Camaro with a six-speed stick and a 400-plus-hp LS3 under the hood. Or, better yet, the 556-hp supercharged LSA, which, based on the Caddy CTS-V test numbers we've just run, should be good for a 4.0-sec 0-60-mph time and a quarter mile in the low 12s. (A 21st century ZL-1, anyone? C'mon GM, build it. The parts are all there.)

But if your budget can only stretch to the V-6, you can quite rightly ask: "Who needs a V-8?"




2010 CAMARO V-6 1967 CAMARO SS-350
Price $24,000 (est) 3411.0
Engine 3.6L/310hp(est)/270-lb-ft (est) V-6 5.7L/295hp/380-lb-ft V-8
Trans 6-sp man 4-sp man
Curb weight 3750 lb (mfr) 3141 lb
Wheelbase 112.3 in 108.1 in
LxWxH 190.4 x 75.5 x 54.2 in 184.6 x 72.5 x 51.0 in
0-60MPH 6.1 sec (mfr) 8.0 sec
Quarter mile 14.5 sec @ 97 mph (est) 15.4 sec @ 90 mph

[Chewy]

they seem to be really trying to push the V6 onto everyone.

i love it, but if theres a bigger & badder model in my price range i'm grabbing it! (common SS under 30k!!!)

[JusticePete]

He is an Aussie and biased by the Holden roots of the ZETA II Camaro chassis but he is also spot with his evaluation The six cylinder Camaro will surprise those that take a test drive. Most will leave with a smile, maybe not as big a smile as with the more powerful version, but a well earned

[odie23]

It's newer, it's faster, and it handles way better. Are they talking about cars or women

[JusticePete]

But you can't buy a new woman

[z28collection]

wow this is gonna be a sweet ride i cant wait to have my v8 vert.

[drivingincamaro]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

But you can't buy a new woman

well actually you can buy a women at a street corner

[radz28]

I like the way they think in the last paragraph *wink wink nudge nudge*

[DntWrryBeHappy21]

i dont like how they put 24k for the price Honestly i think if they dont know an exact price dont make up numbers, so unless that price is from GM they should say lower 20ks or something....other than that...if the v8 is within price range im getting it :-)

[camaro&T/A]

Originally Posted by drivingincamaro

well actually you can buy a women at a street corner

that's not buying it's renting!!

[The_Blur]

That's a great read. I love how it compares the classic to the upcoming base trim.

[JiXeR'z DoDgE/FoRd KiLLeR]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

But you can't buy a new woman

LMAO you really can actually!

[fbird777]

The Camaro's of the past looked good, sounded good, and burned rubber but were not that quick. I guess they were good for their time though.

[Oh10Cam]

Engine 3.6L/310hp(est)/270-lb-ft (est) V-6 5.7L/295hp/380-lb-ft V-8