2012 Camaro SS delivers on performance pledge

Driving the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS with the Rally Sport package sure brought back a lot of memories, a lot of good memories.

Over the years, we've owned and/or driven a couple incarnations of Chevy's iconic muscle car, but the model that came to mind as soon as we got behind the wheel was the 1969 Camaro RS. It certainly wasn't the new Camaro's bold stance or futuristic body lines that begged comparison, but it was the retro cluster pack of gauges on the center console that left us nostalgic and longing for a cruise to Bob's Big Boy on Whittier Boulevard in Southern California.

Those gauges were pure Camaro RS lineage: oil pressure, volt meter, oil temperature and transmission temperature. Nice touch.

The 2012 Camaro SS is a successful continuation of what General Motors started in 2006 with the Camaro's new body style. It's certainly a stoplight attention grabber and the throaty exhaust tones emanating from the 6.2-liter (376 cubic inch) V-8 engine only turn more heads.

For our test drive, Ed Bozarth, dealer principal of Bozarth Chevrolet (5501 Drexel Road), loaned us a silver ice metallic Camaro SS with black leather appointed interior for a short road trip. The odometer read 142 miles, so it was brand-new. With a planned journey that took us to Dana Point and north along the coast to Santa Barbara, Calif., we were honored to break in this 426-horsepower runner, especially with the six-speed automatic transmission that also offered the TAPShift mode.

In this selection, the driver shifts gears similar to a manual transmission, except without the clutch pedal and "H" pattern shift knob. Instead, the up and down paddles are located on either side of the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Using the manual mode revealed one of the Camaro's best features: torque. At just about 2,000 rpm, there was a ton of torque (Chevy's specs for the SS lists 420 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm). What was also unexpected was the transmission's ability to match revs on the downshifts. That was sweet and may partially explain the V-8's reasonable gas mileage (15 city/24 highway). Chevy does, however, recommend filling the 19-gallon tank with the pricier 91 octane fuel for the SS models.

Other performance enhancements include Stabilitrak (traction control) and Competitive Mode and Launch Control, which, according to the Camaro's literature, are "recommended only for use during closed track events and competitive driving venues." Needless to say, we couldn't resist giving both a try, but didn't really feel much of a difference in normal street driving conditions.

For added stability and performance, our Camaro SS was outfitted with Pirelli6 PZero ultrahigh-performance tires on 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. Coupled with the RS package that includes high-intensity halogen headlamps with LED halo rings and the deluxe interior trim, the Camaro SS also boasts Brembo four-piston, ventilated performance brakes, stainless steel tipped dual exhaust, matching rear spoiler and heated front driver and passenger seats.

Typical and expected with today's new vehicles, the Camaro SS featured a Driver Information Center, Head-Up Display, telescoping and tilt steering wheel, XM Radio, Bluetooth, Boston Acoustics audio system, rear vision camera, tire pressure monitoring system and heated outside mirrors, to list of few of the accessories. All this and the Camaro weighs in at around 3,800 pounds, which is very reasonable considering it's not only a heavy V-8, but it also carries a lot of options.

Perhaps to cut down on those imminent speeding tickets, the Camaro can display miles per hour in three convenient places simultaneously, if the driver so chooses (the regular speedometer, the Head-Up Display and on the Driver Information Center).

Another nice touch was the ambient accent lighting on the Camaro's doors. At night, it was almost disco-esque.

We also were impressed with the cargo space (11.3 cubic feet). For our trip, we packed a large suitcase, two smaller bags, a medium cooler and a laptop computer case, and had room to spare. Had we gone antique shopping, we could have dropped the rear seat to open up the trunk even more. And, at 75.5 inches wide, the Camaro is very roomy, even more than the extinct "widetrack" Pontiac Grand Prix (72.7 inches wide).

What didn't we like? Not much, really. Just little things that are easily forgiven when you remember you're driving a true muscle car. For the passenger, we would have liked a grip/handle above the window. We reached for one several times, but had to settle for the grip on the door. The sun visors are narrow, too narrow to do much good against our beautiful Las Vegas sunrises and sunsets.

That V-8 engine gives off a lot of heat. The ventilation system is very user friendly and kept up well and we're hopeful it will be a champ against our brutal Southern Nevada summers.

And, these last two are really nit-picky. There's no light in the glove box and the leather-bound steering wheel is kind of slippery. We found our hands slid off too easily when driving called for aggressive maneuvers.

Other than those very minor quips, we loved this Camaro, even with its window sticker price of just less than $40,000. It was a pleasure to drive and an outstanding touring machine. And, even in its latest configuration, the Camaro is still a symbol of America's love for the muscle car, especially this muscle car.

For more information about the 2012 Chevy Camaro or to arrange a test drive of your own, stop by Bozarth Chevrolet in northwest Las Vegas. Call 967-5500 or go to www.edbozarthlasvegas.com.