2011 Chevrolet Camaro
convertible
The
2011 Chevrolet Camaro gets a convertible model
Prices—$29,150-$39,650
Most people love a convertible, and Chevrolet’s new 2011
Camaro convertible should satisfy many soft-top lovers.
That is, unless they don’t mind a rear seat suitable just for
kids and a rather small trunk with a high opening that gets even
smaller when the top is lowered.
Convertibles long have been more expensive than coupes, and the base
Camaro convertible starts at $29,150 with a V-6 and goes to $39,650 for
the top-line 2SS V-8 version, which I tested with a manual
transmission. My 2SS V-8 model cost $42,145.
In contrast, a base Camaro V-6 coupe lists at $22,680 and the top-line
V-8 coupe is $34,395, without options.
The convertible actually looks a little better than the handsome
retro-styled coupe—even with the top up. The top seems to
operate more slowly than it should, and the tonneau top cover is fiddly
to install. I’d guess that many Camaro convertible owners
won’t bother with the tonneau cover much of the
time.
Like all Camaros ever built, the Camaro convertible has rear-wheel
drive. It also has a decent amount of comfort, convenience and safety
equipment, including air conditioning and the usual power accessories.
Safety items include air bags, stability and traction control and
anti-lock brakes.
The 3.6-liter V-6 actually is a pretty good deal, developing 312
horsepower horsepower –an 8 horsepower increase from last
year. The 6.2-liter V-8 socks out 400 horsepower with a six-speed
automatic transmission and 426 horsepower with a six-speed manual.
It’s set way back in the engine compartment for good weight
distribution.
The short-throw manual shifts crisply, without much effort, but the
long-throw clutch is moderately heavy and a bother in stop-and-go
traffic. Fifth and sixth gears were worthless for quick passing on
freeways and highways. Fourth gear was good for fast passing, but third
gear was even better. Still, it seemed a bother to have to shift from
sixth to several lower gears when a fast pass was needed.
Estimated fuel economy is pretty good for the V-8 model, at 16 mpg in
the city and 24 on highways. You should be able to easily get 26 mpg on
highways if the car is left in overdrive sixth gear at 65-70 mph.
The V-6 delivers approximately 18 mpg in the city and city and 29 on
open roads. It only requires regular unleaded gas, although Chevy says
the V-8 calls for premium fuel for increased
performance.
The wide Camaro convertible is a big, heavy car despite its small back
seat and marginal trunk. In fact, it’s quite a bit heavier
than the rival Mustang convertible, which makes the Mustang a little
more fun to drive because it’s lighter on its feet.
However, the Camaro convertible feels more solid than the Mustang soft
top, thanks to lots of rigid bracing and such. It’s
approximately several hundred pounds heavier than the Camaro coupe.
But, though a bit slower than the coupe, the Camaro convertible feels
as if it has equal, if not better, handling with all its extra bracing.
My test car’s steering was quick and firm, but rather numb.
The firm ride, though, was supple, although it had a
“performance” suspension and extra-wide wheels and
tires. The brake pedal had a nice linear feel and the car’s
superb four-piston Brembo performance brakes stopped it quickly and
surely
Wide, heavy doors with large handles allow easy entry to the
convertible’s stylish interior, but can be a problem in tight
spaces. The cockpit is pretty quiet thanks to a thick, sound-absorbent
roof headliner. Even the hood’s inside cover holds down noise
levels.
Front seats should offer a little more side support during brisk
cornering, and bright sunlight make the hooded main gauges difficult to
read. But there are small, nifty auxiliary console gauges, just like on
the classic 1969 Camaro Z-28muscle car.
Climate controls have an unorthodox design but are easily
operated. However there’s little interior
storage space, with small door pockets and a small covered console
storage bin. At least the rear quarter windows roll down now.
Happily, the pleasant Camaro convertible turns out to be virtually all
it was expected to be.