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Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

American legend blows its top, with mixed results

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

By Paul Bond

July 2011

  • Rating:
Muscle car fans, rejoice. Chevrolet is set to introduce the Camaro to the UK in 2012, and we had the chance to drive the new Convertible version at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

With its bold face, bulging bonnet and chunky stance, the US legend looks like nothing else on the roads – and this soft-top model has lost none of the visual appeal of the hard-top, either.

With the roof down, you get a better view of your surroundings, and you’re also rewarded with a muted roar from the V8 under the bonnet. With the roof up, limited headroom means the cabin can feel a little cramped, but the rear can carry adults in relative comfort.

All Camaros destined for UK roads are top-spec SS models, which means power comes from a 6.2-litre V8 with 426bhp. Standard equipment includes full leather upholstery, rear parking sensors and 20-inch alloys. 

As well as the generous equipment list, the cabin sports a stylish design, with the main instruments in separate pods and four minor gauges set low behind the gearlever, as in the original Camaro. The downside is some cheap and hard plastics, which aren’t up to scratch compared with rival European offerings.

Straight-line performance from the huge engine is blistering, but  our car was equipped with a six-speed automatic gearbox that can struggle to keep up. The sprint from 0-62mph takes only 4.9 seconds, but changes made using the steering wheel-mounted paddles seem to take an age. However, the shifts are smooth enough during everyday motoring, and 569Nm of torque makes for relaxing progress.

Even so, we’d still recommend avoiding the auto – a £1,500 extra – to stick with the six-speed manual that comes as standard.

Through corners, there’s plenty of grip from the large tyres, but the suspension feels a little wallowy, which makes for a surprising amount of body roll. The steering wheel is an awkward shape, too – couple that with a light and slightly inaccurate action, and the driving experience could be a lot better.

Chevrolet has fine-tuned the suspension for European roads, but we still found the ride a little harsh – although that could be down to the large 20-inch alloys.

Prices for the Convertible start at £39,995, but Chevrolet will only bring LHD models to the UK.

For an alternative review of the latest Chevrolet Camaro visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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5 Comments

2012 model has the improved interior

You have tested the 2011 model. In the states the 2012 version has already been shown. The retro steering wheel has been replaced with the corporate Chevy version. Also, the interior has been improved. I agree that the interior materials are below the European standard and the car is heavy. I drove a 2011 Camaro SS in California last Summer, it's very powerful and an awesome looking car. And it outsells the Mustang in the USA because of it's superior styling, that is popular with all generations. GM says it's too expensive to make a RHD version due to the limited sales this car will have in Europe, but I think that thinking is wrong.

By VantaaMike on 5 July, 2011, 9:14am

Sign me up !

had the pleasure of driving one of these last month in the US, besy 3 days I have spent in a car for quite a while. It was only the V6 version but had pleenty of poke so would love to try a V8.

By 1HARVEY2 on 7 July, 2011, 7:48am

PS

Excuse the typo's hit the enter rather than the tab, DOH! I also meant to say I would have one in an instant except for the price tag. These are more or less the same price but in dollars in the US so I feel once again we are being ripped off by the tax collectors. I would expect to pay a small premium for the expenses of shipping over and saleroom profit but the rest is ridiculous.

By 1HARVEY2 on 7 July, 2011, 7:53am

The thing you've got to remember is that over here in the US, the Camero starts at ,000 US dollars. Try and find any car- either European or Japanese- that is in this category within that price range. As such its a tad unrealistic to expect it to handle like a Rolls Royce. Its a classic American muscle car and the formula for these cars has been the same for decades: Cheap speed and styling. All for a reasonable price. While I don't personally own one, I love these cars and would love to own one someday. At ,000 its well within my budget.

By setharp4 on 7 July, 2011, 5:59pm

love my 2ss camaro

ive had my camaro since march 2010 yes over here in the uk,its a 6 speed manual ,i love it. but from day one steering didn,t feel conected all the time so i replace the front lower control arm bushes with poly ones,this is a must,now it feel great.!!!!! parts from pfadt GM aproved parts.

By tortop45 on 10 October, 2011, 8:09pm

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Pictures

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

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FIRST OPINION

    The reborn Camaro is a huge success in the States, with more than 200,000  sold. But Chevrolet is under no illusions, and expects the Convertible and Coupé to sell in very small numbers in the UK. It’s unsophisticated compared to European rivals, and the cabin doesn’t exude the same kind of quality, but it does have a charm that few models on the road can match.  

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £39,995   
    Engine: 6.2-litre V8 petrol, 426bhp
    Transmission: Six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive  
    0-60mph: 4.9 seconds
    Top speed: 155mph
    Combined economy: 24mpg
    CO2: N/A
    Equipment: 20-inch alloys, leather upholstery, parking sensors, air-con
    On sale now
     
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