2010 Chevrolet Camaro LT

The much anticipated and long awaited return of the Chevrolet Camaro proves that some things are worth waiting for. It will knock your socks off and dazzle your senses.

As Joe and I took turns behind the wheel of this modern version of a muscle car classic, people stared, took pictures, came over to chat when we parked, and nearly hit us as they swerved over lanes to get a closer look.

With its long bulging hood, broad rear fenders and short rear deck, the Camaro certainly makes an impression. Our LT came equipped with the RS appearance package which adds fat 20-inch wheels and a rear spoiler.

With its grill that is reminiscent of the 1969 Camaro, its Cheshire Cat grin leads drivers and spectators to believe that this is a car that has a game day attitude.

"It's a great interpretation of the first generation Camaro," said Joe. "But this time they gave it the face of a sinister, serious machine."

The Camaro LT uses the same power train as the Cadillac CTS, a 3.6-liter direct injected V-6 that pushes 304 horses and 227 foot pounds of torque to the highway. That translates to17 miles per gallon in the city, 29 on the highway. Its Hydra-Matic 6L50 automatic transmission is a six-speed with TAPshift. A six-speed manual is an option.

The 2010 Camaro can also be had in SS trim with a 6.2-liter V-8 LS3 engine, the same as used in the base model Corvette. That engine makes 420 horsepower and truthfully are both salivating like junk yard dogs as we wait to drive it.

In the past, muscle cars weren't noted for their handling, yet the 2010 Camaro, with its standard sport-tuned independent suspension and stabilizer bars front and rear, keeps very steady in the corners. It leans just a bit when inertial forces are pulling at it in a corner, but that suspension keeps it from getting out of control. Its fairly short wheelbase also helps it pivot in a turn. With a weight distribution of 52 percent to the front and 48 percent to the back, the Camaro isn't perfectly balanced and does feel a little heavy.

While Chevrolet has nailed the exterior design some folks we showed the car to were not as impressed with the interior which looks more retro than the exterior. I felt the gauge and console layout was clean, tasteful, and had a modern look despite some cheap materials. Chevrolet did manage to fit complex music management into a small screen but I was disappointed that there was no onboard navigation system.

If you’re a red-blooded, meat-eating American who wants to create some American Graffiti memories of your own, this is your car. With General Motors dealing with a down economy and bankruptcy, Chevy’s 2010 ride down memory lane could not have come at a better time.

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