2010 Chevrolet Camaro rated at 29 mpg highway

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Mar 16th 2009 at 12:29PM Breaking


2010 Chevy Camaro - Click above for high-res gallery

Now that the 2010 Chevy Camaro is finally ready to hit dealerships, details like the car's official EPA estimated fuel mileage and its estimated run to 60 mph are beginning to hit the interwebs. Good news: Both are impressive. According to The General, the 304-horsepower direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 engine that's standard in the LT and LS models will achieve 29 miles per gallon on the highway and 18 mpg in the city with the six-speed automatic, or 17 mpg with the six-speed stick. V8 models also perform more efficiently than expected, with figures of 16 city and 25 highway (24 with the automatic transmission).

Those numbers are better than what the Camaro's muscle car competition can muster across the board. Its eco-victory likely won't last long, however, as the new 2010 Ford Mustang offers carryover engines from the last model year that we expect will be replaced for the 2011 model year with more efficient powertrains, maybe even a twin-turbo, direct-inject EcoBoost V6.


Muscle Cars Compared: Fuel Economy

2010 Chevy Camaro
 2010 Ford Mustang*
 2010 Dodge Challenger
V6**
 18 city/29 hwy
 16 city/24 hwy
 17 city/25 hwy
V8**
 16 city/25 hwy
 17 city/23 hwy
 13 city/19 hwy
Trans - M
 six-speed
 five-speed
 six-speed
Trans - A
 six-speed
 five-speed
 four- and five-speed
*MPG numbers for 2010 Ford Mustang are manufacturer estimates
**Most powerful version of engine type offered with automatic transmission

As a performance car, we're obviously interested in more than just fuel mileage, and the 2010 Camaro SS doesn't disappoint with a (so far unverified) 0-60 mph run of just 4.7 seconds. Stay tuned for our initial driving impressions later in the week. For a full set of specifications and the accompanying press release, click on past the break.


Gallery: 2010 Chevy Camaro


Gallery: 2010 Chevy Camaro - Mechanicals


[Source: General Motors]


PRESS RELEASE

2010 CHEVY CAMARO'S PERFORMANCE BLENDS HORSEPOWER WITH EFFICIENCY

DETROIT – When it comes to performance, the 2010 Camaro delivers in unexpected ways. An advanced 3.6L direct-injected V-6 with variable valve timing is standard on LS and LT models. It offers power and efficiency, with 304 horsepower (227 kW) and EPA-rated 29 mpg in highway driving.

The performance-oriented Camaro SS offers a pair of 6.2L V-8s, including one with Active Fuel Management that helps improve fuel economy by shutting down four cylinders during certain light-load driving conditions. That model delivers 25 mpg in EPA-rated highway fuel economy.

Indeed, the surprising fuel economy of the new Camaro enhances the driving experience. LS and LT models are EPA-rated at 18 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway with an automatic transmission; and 17 city and 29 highway with the manual transmission. Camaro SS with an automatic is rated at 16 city and 25 highway; and 16 city/24 highway with the manual transmission. Notably, none of Camaro's models is subject to federal gas guzzler taxes.

For comparison, the more expensive 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 offers comparable horsepower to the Camaro SS with the manual transmission – 425 (317 kW) vs. 426 (318 kW) – and is EPA-rated at 14 city and 22 highway. When automatic-equipped models are compared, the Camaro wins again, with the Challenger SRT8 rated at 13 city and 19 highway.

All of Camaro's engines channel their power to a responsive chassis that features independent front and rear suspensions, large, four-wheel-disc brake systems with standard ABS and GM's StabiliTrak electronic stability control system.

3.6L direct injection V-6

Camaro's 3.6L direct injection (DI) V-6 delivers more power through increased efficiency, while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions – including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. Direct injection optimizes fuel delivery to the combustion chamber by introducing fuel closer to the combustion chamber. The fuel injectors are located beneath the intake ports and fuel is injected directly into the cylinder. The result is better efficiency in the combustion process leading to increased fuel efficiency at part and full throttle.

The 3.6L DI engine produces 304 horsepower (227 kW) at 5,900 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque (370 Nm) at 5,200 rpm. Its 60-degree cylinder block and cylinder heads are cast aluminum to help reduce mass. A forged steel crankshaft provides optimal strength in the bottom end. The cylinder heads include four valves per cylinder, with a dual overhead camshaft design incorporating infinitely variable cam phasing.

A full dual exhaust system, with dual catalytic converters, helps reduce back pressure for optimum power. It also helps the engine reach operating temperature quicker to help burn off cold-start emissions. And despite a compression ratio of 11.3:1, the 3.6L DI engine is designed to run on regular gas.

Camaro SS's 6.2L powertrains

Two 6.2L V-8 engines are offered in the Camaro SS, including the new L99 on automatic-equipped vehicles and the LS3 on manual-equipped models. Both engines are derived from the LS3 that debuted on the 2008 Corvette.

The 90-degree V-8 includes an aluminum block (with cast iron cylinder liners) and aluminum cylinder heads. The bottom end of the engine includes a new structural cast aluminum oil pan, with an oil capacity of 8.9 quarts (8.5 liters), while the two-valve cylinder head design is based on race-proven airflow dynamics. The intake valves measure 2.16 inches (55 mm) and exhaust valves are 1.60 inches (40.5 mm) in diameter.

The 6.2L engines also use a roller lifter-style camshaft with 5-percent greater intake-side valve lift than the Corvette's LS3. It manages airflow that is channeled through an acoustically tuned intake manifold with a composite design that reduces runner-to-runner variation. The throttle bore diameter is 90 mm.

Horsepower for the L99 is 400 (298 kW) at 5,900 rpm and torque is 410 lb.-ft. (556 Nm) at 4,300 rpm. The LS3 develops 426 horsepower (318 kW) at 5,900 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. (569 Nm) at 4,600 rpm (all numbers are SAE certified). Output on the L99 is lower than the LS3 because of a slighter lower compression ratio (10.4:1 vs. 10.7:1) and design features of the Active Fuel Management System. The L99 is paired exclusively with an automatic transmission.

As with the 3.6L models, the SS models employ a full dual exhaust system, with two catalytic converters to reduce back pressure.

Transmissions

All Camaro models can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The availability of a six-speed automatic transmission is a first for Camaro.

Standard with the 3.6L engine is the Aisin AY6 six-speed manual. It features lower shift effort and shorter throws for easier shifting and "fun-to-drive" characteristics. A hydraulic clutch and self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for adjustments throughout the lifespan of the transmission.

The Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic is optional with 3.6L-equipped models. It has an aggressive 4.07:1 first gear ratio that delivers strong launches, but also provides tall overdrive ratios that decrease engine rpm and provide better fuel efficiency. The 6L50 also includes driver shift control, with the driver taking control via paddle shifts located on the steering wheel after selecting the "M" mode on the console-mounted shifter.

Performance Algorithm Shifting (PAS) is included with the 6L50. It lets the electronic transmission controller override the automatic gear selection during high lateral acceleration maneuvers.

On SS models, the new Tremec TR 6060 six-speed manual is paired with the LS3. It is designed to handle the high torque characteristics of the engine, while providing shorter throws, smoother gear synchronization and greater overall shift feel with little or no vibration. Its specs include a solid 290 mm flywheel and single-plate clutch. The final drive ratio for LS3 vehicles is 3.45:1.

The highest-capacity automatic ever in a GM passenger car, the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic, is matched with the L99 engine. Like the 6L50 transmission, it features driver shift control and PAS. The final drive ratio on all automatic-equipped Camaro models is 3.27:1.



2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models:

Chevrolet Camaro LS, LT and SS

Body style / driveline:

four-passenger, front-engine, rear-drive coupe

Construction:

unitized body frame, one- and two-sided galvanized steel

EPA vehicle class:

coupe

Manufacturing location:

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Key competitors:

Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, Nissan 370Z

Engines

3.6L V-6 DI VVT (LLT)

6.2L V-8 (LS3, L99)

Application:

LS, LT

SS

Type:

3.6L V-6

6.2L V-8

Displacement (cu in / cc):

217 / 3564

376 / 6162

Bore & stroke (in / mm):

3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6

4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92

Block material:

cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners

cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners

Cylinder head material:

aluminum

aluminum

Valvetrain:

dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing

valve-in-head; two valves per cylinder; roller lifters; Active Fuel Management (L99)

Ignition system:

electronic individual coil-on-plug; individual cylinder knock control and extended-life platinum-tipped spark plugs

high-energy distributorless ignition; solid state direct-fire ignition w/ coil near plug and integrated ignition

Fuel delivery:

direct high-pressure fuel injection

returnless, multi-port fuel injection

Compression ratio:

11.3:1

10.7:1 (LS3); 10.4:1 (L99)

Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):

304 / 227 @ 6400

426 / 318 @ 5900 (LS3)
400 / 299 @ 5900 (L99)

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):

273 / 370 @ 5200*

420 / 569 @ 4600 (LS3)*
410 / 556 @ 4300 (L99)*

Recommended fuel:

regular unleaded

premium recommended

Maximum engine speed (rpm):

7000

6000 (L99)
6600 (LS3)

Emissions controls:

evaporative system, close-coupled catalytic converter, equal-length exhaust, single underfloor catalytic converter, positive crankcase ventilation, intake and exhaust cam phasers, electronic throttle control

evaporative system, close-coupled catalytic converters, positive crankcase ventilation, electronic throttle control

Estimated fuel economy
(city / hwy):

18 / 29 – auto
17 / 29 – man

16 / 25 – auto
16 / 24 – man

Transmissions

Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic (LS, LT) w/ TAPshift

Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic (SS) w/ TAPshift

Aisin AY6 six-speed manual (LS, LT)

Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual (SS)

Gear ratios (:1):

First:

4.07

4.03

4.48

3.01

Second:

2.37

2.36

2.58

2.07

Third:

1.55

1.53

1.63

1.43

Fourth:

1.16

1.15

1.19

1.00

Fifth:

0.85

0.85

1.00

0.84

Sixth:

0.67

0.67

0.75

0.57

Reverse:

3.06

3.06

3.67

3.28

Final drive ratio:

3.27

3.27

3.27

3.45

Chassis/Suspension

Front:

double-ball-joint, multi-link strut; direct-acting stabilizer bar; progressive-rate coil springs; fully adjustable camber, caster and toe

Rear:

4.5-link independent; progressive-rate coil springs over shocks; stabilizer bar; fully adjustable camber and toe

Steering type:

variable-ratio rack-and-pinion

Steering ratio:

16.1:1

Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:

2.5

Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):

37.7/11.5

Brakes

Type:

four-wheel disc w/ ABS; ventilated front and rear rotors; single-piston front calipers and single-piston alloy rear calipers (LS, LT); four-piston fixed Brembo aluminum front and rear calipers (SS)

Rotor diameter, front (in / mm):

LS, LT: 12.64 / 321
SS: 14 / 355

Rotor diameter, rear (in / mm):

LS, LT: 12.4 / 315
SS: 14.4 / 365

Rotor thickness, front (in / mm):

LS, LT: 1.18 / 30
SS: 1.26 / 32

Rotor thickness, rear (in / mm):

LS, LT: 0.9 / 23
SS: 1.1 / 28

Wheels/Tires

LS

LT

SS

Wheel size and type:

18 x 7.5-inch steel

18 x 7.5-inch aluminum

19 x 8-inch aluminum

20 x 8-inch aluminum (front)
20 x 9-inch aluminum (rear)

Tires:

P245/55R18 all-season

P245/55R18 all-season

P245/50R19 all-season

P245/45ZR20 summer (front)
P275/40ZR20 summer (rear)

Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):

112.3 / 2852

Overall length (in / mm):

190.4 / 4836

Overall width (in / mm):

75.5 / 1918

Overall height (in / mm):

54.2 / 1376

Track, front (in / mm):

63.7 / 1618

Track, rear (in / mm):

64.1 / 1628 (LS, LT)
63.7 / 1618 (SS)

Curb weight (lb / kg):

3769 / 1713 – LS w/ automatic
3780 / 1718 – LS w/ manual
3719 / 1687 – LT w/ automatic
3728 / 1691 – LT w/ manual
3902 / 1770 – SS w/ automatic
3849 / 1746 – SS w/ manual

Weight balance (% front / rear):

52 / 48

Coefficient of drag:

0.37 (LS, LT); 0.35 (SS)

Interior

Seating capacity (front / rear):

2 / 2

Headroom (in / mm):

front: 37.4 / 950
rear: 35.3 / 897

Legroom (in / mm):

front: 42.4 / 1077
rear: 29.9 / 757

Shoulder room (in / mm):

front: 56.9 / 1444
rear: 42.5 / 1080

Capacities

Cargo volume (cu ft / L):

11.3 / 320

Fuel tank (gal / L):

19 / 71.9

Engine oil (qt / L):

3.6L: 7.6 / 7.2
6.2L: 8.9 / 8.5

*SAE certified.
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Green, Chevrolet

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