The 1960s were known for the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and great muscle cars. Among these was the Camaro, Chevy’s response to Ford’s extremely popular Mustang. The Camaro was first introduced in 1967 as a rear-wheel drive coupe or convertible. It went on to become Chevy’s street fighter for decades, with only a brief remission from 2002 to 2010. It saw many different configurations; from the mullet inducing IROC-Z of the 1980s, to the technologically advanced muscle car of today.
Fifth Generation Camaro (2010-2015)
The model year 2010 marked the rebirth of the Camaro, which had been on a hiatus since 2002. Gone was the rounded, jelly-bean styling of the fourth generation and in its place stood a retro-styled, technological wonder. The exterior of the Camaro resembled a 1960s model, but with modern flair. Engine options were either a direct injected 3.6L 6-cylinder or a powerful 6.2L 8-cylinder, with power flowing through either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.
Following the introduction of the new Camaro, a convertible model was added in 2011. Onstar also became standard and a heads up display was made optional. In 2012, the Camaro got many improvements including a revised suspension in SS models, the option of a rearview camera, and numerous interior upgrades. The ZL1 performance package was also made available. Model year 2013 introduced the MyLink touchscreen infotainment system, as well as standard hill start assist on manual transmission models. The 1LE option package was also introduced with a unique track-inspired suspension.
In an attempt to keep up with the modern pony wars, the Camaro was refreshed for 2014. Appearance wise, it got a redesigned front fascia with new taillights and a diffuser out back. The much acclaimed Z-28 package returned, packing 7.0L 8-cylinder engine and special tuned undercarriage. For 2015, the Camaro remained basically unchanged due to being upgraded the previous year.
Few cars exemplify American muscle quite like the Camaro. It has the raw power and deep exhaust note that no import vehicle could ever have. Sure, getting 40 mpg in economy car is great, but some days you just want to lay the hammer down and burn rubber. The Camaro is good at that – it’s also good at putting a smile on your face.
