Chevy Camaro gets power hike

Yup

Lets face it, this is a handsome car. And to get 323 horses out of a modest size V6 is a respectable. If I were young again and had the cash, I think I'd buy one. GM have done well.

But there is a problem - it's American. I don't know what it is, but if you roll up in the UK in an American car, people will always look a little bit down on you; in a kind of 'why didn't you get a proper car' kind of way.

It has to be said this is a little unfair as the US has no need to prove itself in the motor industry. It was, for many decades, the world capital of automotive industry, and there's very few people who don't admire the look of a 57 Chevy or the grunt of an early Mustang.

But we live in a kind of safe Euro nation, where things (sometimes sadly) revolve around names like 'sporty BMW 3 Series', 'punchy 32 valve Golf' and 'a nice sensible family Renault'.

In memory of the Cobra, we saw the spirit of the British muscle car in the TVR for a good number of years, sadly departed. If there was still a hint of James Dean or even a young Michael Cane about this nation of ours, maybe an American car like this (or a European equivalent) wouldn't be such a rarity. But we won't, because it's nice and safe and sensible here.

I think I might just buy one anyway, and head over the Crawford's place and blow the bloody doors off!

By craiglife on 26 April, 2011, 11:32am

Really? If you pulled up in a Camaro in the UK people would look down on you? I'd imagine it would be the total opposite- especially given that these aren't even imported to the UK and have to be special ordered. If anything I would wager you'd get quite a bit of attention. I myself and American and for years it seemed like the "Big 3" here made absolute crap. They're really improved their product lineup over the past 5-6 years and honestly if not for higher fuel prices I'd buy one of these myself. Also- companies like Ford and GM are now selling a lot of the same product globally- like the Chevy Cruze, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, and so on. Chrysler sells the Grand Cherokee everywhere too. So it seems like the distinction between what used to be completely different cars sold in different markets is blurring. To me the Camaro is one of those cars that looks distinctly American. It probably has its niche. I test drove one of these and they are miles away from the awful Camaros of the 80's and 90's. Very tight, well-handling vehicle.

By setharp4 on 26 April, 2011, 8:28pm