2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Review – by Performax International
Location: Lakeside Raceway, Queensland.
Model Tested: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS – $135,000
It’s been a while since I’ve had to set my alarm for 5.00am, but when you have an invite to pair up with a couple of motor racing heroes like Kevin (KB) Bartlett and rising V8 Supercar star Lee Holdsworth for a few hot laps around Lakeside in a spanking new 2010 Chevy Camaro SS, that’s exactly what you do.
I’ve always had a thing for US muscle cars, especially performance editions from either the Corvette or Camaro model range. It’s about good old-fashioned US patriotism and heritage, and these two iconic nameplates have truckloads of both.
Chevrolet released the Camaro in 1966 and while sales of 235,147 cars still trailed that of the Ford Mustang, the Camaro was easily the popular choice for the motoring enthusiast.
Re-birthed as ‘Bumblebee’ in the 2009 blockbuster movie ‘Transformers’, the new Camaro SS with its 6.2-litre all- aluminium V8 donk, is still very much positioned within the muscle car category.
Sitting on the tarmac at Lakeside are two immaculately prepared Camaro SS cars, which have been made available to a small group of the motoring press by Queensland based Performax International, for a proper evaluation on track.
After spending time with company bosses Greg Waters and Brian Learoyd, it doesn’t take very long to work out that Australia’s leading independent importer of American cars is a thoroughly professional outfit with excellent credentials.
With over 20 years of experience in Right Hand Drive engineering, converting literally thousands of American made vehicles, these guys have an encyclopaedic knowledge when it comes to conversions of brand new cars.
I’ve known the hard charging ‘KB’ for near enough to 18 years, and apart from his legendary roll over in the Channel Nine Camaro during the 1982 Bathurst 1000, he was also regarded by many ‘in the know’ as a guru when it came to preparing race cars.
He’s also not big on small talk and has a tendency to tell it how it is, ‘the whole truth and nothing but the truth’ sort of thing. So when KB came in after several laps in the car with a smile on his face and said, “it’s a great piece of gear and the right hand drive conversion has been done absolutely without compromise” you can assume that Performax have got it right.
And he’s spot on. From the moment you get behind the wheel of the Performax Camaro 2SS, it’s a total quality experience.
You’d be hard pressed to ever pick this car didn’t come straight off the assembly line in Oshawa Ontario, such is the impeccable engineering with this conversion.
It’s an impressive looking car from any angle, and one of the few modern-retro designs that delivers the goods.
It’s pretty well loaded too, and comes with a substantial list of standard kit including; leather heated seats with driver’s six-way power adjustment, Bluetooth, Boston Acoustic 245 Watt audio system with nine-speakers and USB input, along with six airbags.
Fire up the 426 horsepower (318 kW) LS3 engine and it makes all the right noises, but without sounding anything less than the refined powerplant it is.
I’ve never driven at Lakeside, so Lee Holdsworth has kindly offered to show me the line around the track.
Mind you, we won’t be doing any racing today, as several chicanes have been put in place on the circuit to curb any sudden bursts of enthusiasm by drivers of the press corps. This is more a test drive in a safe environment rather than an opportunity to hone one’s track skills.
Although, I doubt Lee got quite the same instructions, as coming into turn one off the main straight, and the Camaro is well and truly ‘into it’ before powering through the first chicane.
The first thing you notice about the car, apart from the line I should be taking through the various corners, is the complete and utter absence a single rattle or creak. It’s very well screwed together, no question.
The second thing that stands out, is how comfortable the Camaro is, and I don’t mean how well the seats are padded, which that they are.
Admittedly, we’re on some good quality tarmac here, but even so, you can feel the compliance in the suspension and the ride quality seems like a good balance between sports performance and everyday driveability despite riding on large 20-inch rims.
It’s also a very well sorted chassis with what feels like good weight balance and excellent grip through the corners. There’s a little body roll through the chicanes if you’re on the pace, but no more so than you would expect from a car weighing in at 1755 kilograms.
Now it’s my turn to steer and Lee to ride shotgun. It’s not often you get the chance for some one-on-one driving instruction at Lakeside, with a super talented V8 Supercar driver and genuinely nice bloke.
I’m driving the six-speed manual edition Camaro 2SS and the ratios are quite tall with little need for any gear higher than fourth during today’s session.
I’ve got too much throttle into turn one, but even so, the Camaro has loads of grip from the Pirelli PZero 275/40 tyres, and there is no absolutely no tyre squeal at this stage.
Turn-in is also impressive for a big car and I’m surprised how quickly it hammers through the corners and stays on line.
The only thing not perfect on this lap is I, not wide enough in the second part of the double apex, but the car seems unruffled.
I would reckon this particular ‘bumble bee’ coloured Camaro has been non-stop for about 40 laps, and yet there isn’t a hint of fade from the four-pot Brembos mounted on all four corners.
I also like the driving position, you’re sitting deep into the car, but there’s still plenty of forward vision, so no problem in placing the car exactly where it needs to be on turn in.
Charging down the main straight at full throttle and there’s a superb V8 supercar like exhaust note that’s fits perfectly with the Camaro’s muscle car character.
Steeping out of the car and watching KB and Lee on the charge, and the car looks a treat. It’s got massive road presence, which is underpinned by Australia’s best right hand drive engineering company.
I’m back riding shotgun again, but this time the chicanes have been removed and Lee is taking full advantage of a clean track, as the pace has just got a whole lot quicker.
If I was offering praise up to the Camaro previously, now I’m prepared to shower it with the stuff.
The more he pushes it, there is still no loss of traction or any sign of tyre squeal. The chassis seems better than ever and again, the brakes seem impervious to fade.
Lee agrees, he too seems impressed with how the Camaro is handling the pace through the corners, but always with excellent road manners.
I know we’re here to review the Camaro, but sitting over near the garage all on its own, is what I rate as one of the world’s most accomplished supercars, the monster powered and wickedly quick, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
It’s powered by a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with an exceptional power to weight ratio. That’s 620 horsepower (422 kW) and a mind warping 805 Nm of torque.
I’ve taken enough shots of the car, the carbon fibre aero bits in all the right places and some of largest brake calipers I’ve ever seen.
Performax International have prepared this 200 mph rocket for some very lucky Australian buyer, but not before I beg for a quick run down the straight with the boss himself.
Its been a while since we tested the stupidly quick Bugatti Veyron in France, but the moment Greg Waters buried the throttle in the ZR1, I may as well have been in the Veyron at full tilt.
It’s one of the quickest accelerating cars I’ve ever been in, and that includes anything from Ferrari, Lamborghini and even Koenigsegg. Its absolutely neck snapping and doesn’t let up.
Even better, he wasn’t slowing down for turn one, well, just a quick dab on the brakes and he’s back on the throttle for yet another bout of nausea.
I’d heard from colleagues in America that the ZR1 goes around corners as well as anything from Europe, and I can tell you, they’re 100 percent on the money.
This thing annihilates anything resembling a bend and barely slowing for the chicanes, and that’s straight out of the box.
Now I understand why a convoy of slightly lessor powered ZO6s won their class at Le Mans last year, unchallenged.
Performax International and their 40 dedicated employees have worked hard to carve out their own niche in Australia, so its little wonder that they already have 10 deposits and another 12 interested customers for the Camaro 2SS.
Gorgeous and talented. Thanks CA for rubbing in our faces the fact the Camaro isn’t coming here (aside for the very expensive, but equally well built Performax version). I prefer the red model to the Bumblebee, partly because of the BB’s strange tail-lights. And is it just me, or does the Camaro look really dated? I think part of this is the clear headlights that give it that effect. Can’t argue with it’s performance though.
P.S: If the rumours are true and Holden will bring in the Camaro, I’d feel a little bad for the ones who bought the Performax version for what will probably be near double the price. But for that, they probably get a car that is better built than the original car!
Mmmmmmmmm ZR1 Vette, faster around TheRing than a GT-R, one VERY serious car!
only by .3 of a second though and considering the Corvette is 238 kilograms lighter, has 119kw more power and nearly 40% more torque, I wouldn’t be crowing about it’s performance. Now the Gumpert Apollo is performance to crow about nearly 15 seconds faster around the ring than the more powerful corvette.
You completely ignored the fact it is not AWD like the gt-r and nowhere near as high tech. Go away Ford fanboy and come back when your one eye is open. It also beat numerous exotics.
Firstly, if Nissan ever even done that time is very questionable. On most normal racetracks motoring journalists will clock 2 seconds quicker in the ZR1. The GTR doesn’t even have a chance.
Secondly, the ZR1 may not be able to change directions quite as fast as the GTR with its torque vectoring awd system, but in a straight line, or getting out of a corner, it is practically unrivaled. Even a Porsche GT2 has nothing on this thing.
I would love to see some of these camaros on the road, they stuck to the concept so closely I’d say they’d look impressive in real life. Sounds like they perform pretty well too, although I can imagine visibility around town being an issue.
When the list price US is 33K and some fool will spend a 100k premium just to have one its indicative of how gullible the Australian consumer has become.
Yet we can grab the SS dunnydoor build it wrong hand drive ship it to the US and sell it for 20k under what we pay in OZ, something isn’t right.
Exactly.
For $135K I could have a 335i Coupe with the works including 7 speed DSG, or for $10K more I could have an M3 sedan or C63 AMG.
“Holden means a lot to Australia” – Holden rips the Aussie consumer off, even when it’s the consumer’s tax dollars keeping them afloat.
If you dont want one dont buy one, and dont complain. This is a niche vehicle for people who are willing to pay for what they want. And theres no point complaining about how much we have to pay, as that wont change the price.
Who’s complaining?
This is almost as bad as selling the W200 for $155K.
Seriously 135K for a chevy is criminal! $155 gets you a GTR!!
The Australian government should allow personal imports of LHD vehicles like they do in New Zealand. On a Sunday out and about in Auckland a few weeks back I saw no less than 3 brand new Camaros on the North Shore alone, in addition to a couple of Mustangs.
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The Mopar Hemi’s were the true ’60s and ’70s muscle cars, not the GM ripoffs for the try-hards. The Corvette is a nice car, if only they would bring the engine into the 21st century it would be even better again.
The engine is an extremely impressive piece of work.
Pushrods aren’t dated.. wait till GenV is released.
God that ZR1 looks like its been made out of pure gold.
Can we see a see a review of that monster?
I’d seriously kill my best mate for it.
I love the impression of speed that this review conveys of the ZR1. Most american magazines are too down to earth and analyitcal to convey in words just how gob smackingly fast that thing must be.
Also you quoted the ZR1 as 620hp and 422kw. Actually, 620hp is near as makes no difference 460kw. Which truely is incredible.
I’m not surprised it feels like a Veyron. A veyron may have 380hp more but its also carrying over half a tonn of weight more. I’m sure the Corvette would slaughter it on every worthwhile track.
As fast as the ZR1 is I doubt very much it would come close to what a Veyron would feel like. The following figures will tell the story. ZR1 0 – 190mph (304km/h) tested time of 32.4 seconds. Veyron tested by Autocar 0 – 300 km/h (only 4km/h less) and back to 0 again time of 24.6 seconds. Veyron is around 8 seconds faster reaching the same speed and going back to 0 again than the ZR1 is in reaching 304 km/h again let alone going back to 0 as well. The ZR1 is obviously an extraordinary supercar but the veyron is in a completely different league too all but probably only 2 or 3 cars on the planet!
Veyron also a little bit dearer, agreed?
I think the comparison only goes so far…………
There simply isn’t a large enough market to make a business case for a RHD Camaro. This is one of the very few GM cars that actually made sense, but we won’t get it.
GM bought Hummer into Australia, they sold,chrysler/Dodge/Jeep brings RHD vehicles into Australia, we aren’t the only RHD country in the world, I dont understand why manufacturers make one car for one country if you understand what I mean. GM has already said because the Camaro is built on an Aussie platform, it would be as simple as reverse engineering the dash etc. If holden/Chevrolet were to bring this car into Australia at a reasonable price, they wouldnt be able to keep up with the consumer. Same goes for the Ford Mustang and the dodge Challenger. To me, bringing cars such as these to RHD markets makes great business sence.
i agree with isamike,the camaro is esentially a commode platform,so a rhd model wouldn\’t be hard and with the falcon and mustang joining platforms in the future there would be no reason why a rhd mustang couldn\’t come in as an fpv,especially with ford\’s global car policy they are pushing now.
i think you would be suprised at how many would sell if they were bought in at a reasonable price,say under 100g and with fully backed factory warranty.
I’ve been a great fan of the camaro, but to me it really looks average when you scroll down the page and see the ZR1. It has actually quite put me off the camaro. What I saw as retro beauty is now just a bloated yank truckster in my mind. (sigh) there goes another fantasy…
Just because you saw a photo of a corvette ?
Yep. Shallow of me, eh?
seriously far too expensive
“You’d be hard pressed to ever pick this car didn’t come straight off the assembly line in Oshawa Ontario, such is the impeccable engineering with this conversion”
.. except for the Grand-Canyon-sized gap between the two halves of the steering column surround, as shown in the photo right below that caption!!!
Seen the car there are no gaps. And to the price complainers have you heard that canadian cars still have import duty, and hands up all those that voted for Kev and his 33% lux car tax.
Hmmmm, Jensen Button, had the pick of any car he wanted, and guess what he chose as a personal driver? That’s right, a nissan gtr. Why? “because it goes around corners faster then any other car ” Bump the power of the nissan up to 476 kw, and I guarantee the corvette wouldn’t see it’s arse halfway round the ring! Spend 15k on the nissan from hennessey performance, now you have 800hp, and guess what redneck fanboys? You’re still waaaaay under the cost of a landed ZR1 in Aussie! And, a 4wd car with 800 hp, will not be caught by the zr1 around any track.
Whilst this machine is a fine reflection of our own Australian engineering efforts in context of chassis development and external aesthetics, GM. has failed to bring engine/transmission into the 21st century. Another opportunity missed.
It handles better in the Snow better than Mustang or Charger. Mustang and Charger= guaranteed cars that will get you stuck in a Snowbank up here.
If you ever want to get stuck in America in snow drive those 2 cars on a vacation over here during a snowstorm, and see what happens.
A Challenger in Snow? Well you can forget it. Then again cars like these are meant to be kept safe in the garage in Winter.
“Now I understand why a convoy of slightly lessor powered ZO6s won their class at Le Mans last year, unchallenged”
Are you sure you should be a journo? Are you letting personal bias interfere with this story?
The GT1 class was the laughing stock of international racing last year at Le Mans as there was only 6 entrants. There were calls to the FIA to scrap the class. 4 Corvettes (2 from an official factory team), a privateer DBR9 and a Murcielago. The Murcielago, run by a Japanese privateer team, promptly blew up on lap 1, leaving only the Aston Martin to compete with the 4 Corvettes.
Despite this, 2 Corvettes failed to finish, one of which was the factory car, meaning that every GT1 car that finished the race was on the podium! The Corvettes came in 1st and 2nd, with the DBR9 3rd.
It’s easy to be unchallenged when you only have 1 competitor (which also beat half the Corvettes entered!), and since when did has 2 cars become a convoy?
I like the ZR1 however those rims make it look cheap!
The Camaro looks like it’s had Botox injections.Big and thick everywhere.
How come we haven’t heard from the Golf GTI fanbois?
Surely by now,I would’ve expected to read about how a GTI with say,a $900 chip could
challenge the ZR1???
Geez!!!! There are a lot of whingers here. Blaiming K Rudd for 33% luxury car tax, $135K is to much, a BMW 335i is better value for that price & Holden is a rip off. The luxury car tax was 30% & is now 33%. Wow, it went up 3%. Get over it. Yes, the car is $135K, but that is because it is imported by Performax, they pay retail price, additional taxes & fees for importing a new car from the States, conversion costs, so on & so forth, plus they want to make a profit. If Holden was to sell it off they showroom floors, their initial cost to bring it in is less then Performax, coversion costs would be lower & it would sell for about $80K. Compare apples with apples, not factory vs private importer.
Regardless of price, I think anyone who has seen the Transformers movies will want one in bright yellow.
The camaro will do a lot of things but it wont blend in with the crowd.
Great car, great conversion.