2010 Chevrolet Camaro
Prices: $22,245-$33,430

LAKE GENEVA, Wis - The Chevrolet Camaro arrived for 1967, but vanished after 2002 with iconic car status. The 2010 Camaro thus has been long-awaited, at least by American sporty car fans.

The Camaro two-door coupe is a rear-drive model that outdoes the rival, retro-styled Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger--if only because it has more power and an independent rear suspension, which gives it superior ride and handling.

Chevy erroneously calls the new Camaro a "world-class sports car" in one press release, but correctly calls it a "sports coupe" in the same release. The Camaro never has been a sports car.

The new muscular-looking Camaro has long hood/short deck styling inspired by the 1969 model. But why 1969? The best-looking Camaro by far was the 1970-73 model. It was a visual masterpiece, resembling the gorgeous Ferrari 250GT short-wheelbase Berlinetta, especially in Rally Sport and Z-28 form with their free-standing grille.

The 1969 Camaro looked chunky alongside the 1970-73 model, so thank goodness the 2010 Camaro looks more graceful. The most desirable 1967-69 Camaro now is the Z-28 model because it had a 302-cubic-inch race engine right off the showroom floor, designed to win the popular Trans Am race series. However, the 1970 Camaro's larger, potent 350-cubic-inch V-8 was more reliable and less temperamental.

The 2010 Camaro offers no Z-28. But there are LS and LT models that come with a 3.6-liter V-6 with 304-horsepower and advanced features such as direct fuel injection, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and continuously variable valve timing. The 2010 Mustang GT V-8 has only about a dozen more horsepower and the Challenger V-6 has 250 ponies.

There also is the 1SS and 2SS (Super Sport) coupe. They have a less-sophisticated pushrod 6.2-liter V-8 derived from the Chevy Corvette V-8. It generates 426 horsepower with a manual transmission. It thus slightly outdoes the next most powerful pony car--the Dodge Challenger with a 425-horsepower "Hemi" V-8. The Camaro V-8 produces 400 horsepower with an automatic transmission. The V-8 with the automatic has a cylinder-deactivation feature during light-throttle operation for better fuel economy.

All Camaros come standard with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic with a manual-shift feature.

The new Camaro is tightly built, without the rattles and shakes of the 2002 model. And a one-piece body stamping provides a cleaner overall side appearance free of seams, gaps or plastic appliques."Gills" in front of the rear quarter panels are among familiar Camaro styling cues. A "power dome" in the aluminum hood is reminiscent of high-performance Camero models.

Standard safety features include front side- and curtain-side air bags, electronic stability control and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. An integral safety cage surrounds the passenger compartment.

The base Camaro V-6 1LS lists for $22,245, while the 1LT costs $23,880 and the 2LT is $26,580.

The SS V-8 models are the $30,245 1SS and $33,430 2SS.

The more you spend, the more equipment you get, with the 2SS having such items as heated front seats, leather upholstery and a killer sound system. But even the base LS has standard air conditioning, cruise control, tilt/telescopic wheel and power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry.

I especially like the 1960s retro console-mounted gauge package that includes engine oil pressure and temperature, volts and transmission fluid temperature. That package is standard in 2LT and 2SS models, optional in others.

There are a good number of options, including a power sunroof (except for the 1LS). An RS appearance package is offered for LT and SS models. It includes HID headlights with integrated "halo rings," a rear spoiler on the LT, specific taillights and 20-inch wheels with a Midnight Silver finish.

"Most initial Camaro buyers will get the V-8 and manual transmission because they're mostly car buffs who've waited a long time for the new car. But after things settle down, we expect at least half the buyers will opt for the V-6 and automatic transmission," said Cheryl Pilcher, product/marketing manager-future product. She's the new Camaro's marketing expert.

The V-6 model also promises to have lower insurance premiums, and many buyers may be young and thus subjected to stiff premiums with the Camaro V-8.

I drove the new Camaro with the V-6 and manual and automatic transmissions--and the V-8 with the automatic. Alas, no V-8/manual transmission combination was at a Chevy Camaro media preview near Lake Geneva, Wis.

The Camaro that makes the most sense for the majority of buyers is the V-6 and responsive automatic, although I found the V-6 with the manual to be the most fun. It has a nice shifter and a long-throw, but light, clutch that's easy to get used to. As expected, the V-8 was the powerhouse version.

But all Camaros are fast. The 426-horsepoer V-8 with the manual reportedly does 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the V-6 version is plenty quick.

Steering is a little heavy, but that's OK because it's almost too quick--sneeze or take your eyes off the road for a moment and you might find yourself partly in another lane. Handling is sharp, and the ride is supple, although some road imperfections in rural Wisconsin definitely could be felt. The brakes stop the Camaro quickly and surely, controlled by an easily modulated pedal. The V-8 versions have especially strong Brembo brakes.

The larger the wheels and the wider the tires, the better the handling. There are fairly large standard 18-inch steel wheels for the 1LS but more attractive 18-inch alloy ones for the 1LT. The 2LT has 19-inch alloy wheels, while the SS V-8 Camaros have standard 20-inch alloy wheels. The larger wheels have wider tires, but they cause a harder ride. You can get dealer-installed 21-inch wheels, but they're over-the-top.

Estimated fuel economy of the V-6 with the manual is 18 mpg in the city and 29 on highways. Figures with the automatic are 17 and 29. Switch to the V-8 and you get 16 city and 25 highway with the manual, or 16 and 24 with the automatic.

Estimated city fuel economy isn't all that good because this is a pretty heavy car, especially for its size, weighing from 3,719 to 3,849 pounds.

The V-6 only calls for regular-grade gasoline, while the V-8 takes premium. The fuel tank holds 19 gallons.

Long doors make it awkward to get in and out in tight spots, and only two adults comfortably fit in the Camaro, which is the way it's always been with this car. The rear seat is suited only for a pet or child behind the driver and a short adult behind the passenger. A taller person will have enough leg room behind the passenger, but will hit his head on the roof.

Getting in or out of the rear seat calls for contortions, and front safety belts are in the way.

Front bucket seats are comfortable but could use more side support for spirited motoring. Major gauges can be easily read and climate and sound system controls are easy to work. Front dual cupholders are positioned to avoid spills. But the headlight switch is buried behind the left of the steering wheel.

The small trunk has a very high, rather narrow opening, but the rear seatback flips forward to reveal a moderately sized pass-through opening from the trunk.

"Many who buy the new Camaro will be single or married, with no children," Chevrolet's Pilcher said. "We figure half of buyers will be men, half women. Besides typical Camaro buyers, Chevrolet is after those who haven't been in a GM showroom for years and might otherwise buy a foreign model, such as Nissan's 370Z sports car."

Will there be an even racier Z-28 Camaro in keeping with the car's tradition?

"We'll keep the Camaro's life cycle current, but stiff new federal fuel economy and emissions standards might present obstacles to a Z-28," Pilcher said.

So don't hold your breath waiting for a Camaro convertible.