Chevrolet Camaro (2012 – 2015) Review
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Chevrolet Camaro (2012 – 2015) At A Glance
Meaty looking retro American muscle car. 6.2-litre V8 sounds great. Coupe or convertible. Incredible value from £35,995.
Left hand drive only. Handling isn't sharp. Manual gearbox is hard work in traffic. Automatic is pretty awful.
People don't make cars like the Camaro anymore. Or so you'd think. At a time when everything is about efficiency and fuel economy it's reassuring to know that you can still buy a V8 powered American 'muscle car' that sounds just as good as it looks. The Camaro is a car that's full of character and with a look that's just the right side of retro, it will always attract attention. It certainly gives the image of Chevrolet in the UK a real shot in the arm.
It's been a long time coming though. The Camaro has been on sale in the US since 2009 and it's taken two years to come to Europe with different rear light clusters the obvious change - they now have separate indicator lights instead of the US-spec brake lights which double as turn signals. However, it remains left-hand drive only.
The big 6.2-litre engine that powers the Camaro is typically American with a big noise and a relaxed nature. Not that it's slow - it has 432PS and can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.0 seconds (half a second slower for the lower powered automatic) plus it's an engine that's happy to be revved all the way up to the red line, where it sounds even better. Unfortunately, the handling is pretty American too which means it's not great in corners. The steering is responsive, but it lacks sharpness on more demanding roads.
However, that's not what the Camaro is about. It's a real feelgood car that always makes you smile when you get behind the wheel and is ideal for cruising around in. And then there's the price. The coupe with the standard manual gearbox is £34,995 which is incredible value given the power, style and standard equipment it offers. While it may not be perfect, the Camaro is an incredibly likeable car and there's pretty much nothing else out there with the same character.
All UK versions of the Camaro will be the top specification model, with 20-inch alloy wheels, Brembo performance brakes, full leather upholstery with a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a Boston Acoustics nine speaker audio system, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors. The instrument dials have been calibrated for Europe too. Options will include a choice of premium paint colours, bonnet stripes, interior trim accents, a sunroof, polished alloy wheels and an automatic transmission which is a £1500 extra. The Camaro comes to the UK in early 2012.
Reviews for Chevrolet Camaro (2012 – 2015)'s top 3 rivals
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Chevrolet Camaro (2012 – 2015) handling and engines
- Engines range from Convertible Automatic to Convertible
The centrepiece of the Camaro is most definitely its monster 6.2-litre engine. It's certainly not a subtle engine and from the moment you start it, accompanied by a delightfully deep rumble, there's no mistaking that this is a V8. Thanks to those two big exhausts neatly incorporated in the rear diffuser, you always get to enjoy the great sound it makes. Sonorous is definitely a good way to describe it. Bloomin' loud is another.
It's the kind of big engine you'd expect from an American muscle car with a relaxed nature that suits the Camaro perfectly. It's very different in character compared to a V8 engine from a brand like BMW. It doesn't feel instantly powerful at low speeds, but wind it up and the huge reserves of power come into their own. On paper it has 420PS and a huge 570Nm of torque which should make for strong in-gear acceleration, however both peak quite high up the rev range so it's an engine that does need to be worked in order to get the best from it.
If you catch it at low revs, it takes a little while to get to a point where the power really comes on song. Much of this is down to the gearbox though. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual with quite a heavy change which means driving quickly and smoothly isn't especially easy. It's happier when you're driving with a bit more enthusiasm but it's definitely a gearbox which requires a gentle touch and is happier when it's not being rushed.
There's an optional six-speed automatic which uses a lower powered 6.2-litre V8 engine with 405PS and 556Nm. This makes progress smoother but it's not the quickest shifting auto around. It's a more relaxing drive, but is a bit lazy when it comes to kickdown and can sometimes get caught out in the wrong gear, for instance when you're accelerating hard out of a slow corner. We certainly prefer the more involving manual gearbox and it also gives faster acceleration times too (if you're counting) thanks to the extra power with the 0-62mph standard coming up in just 4.0 seconds.
Despite being a high performance machine, the Camaro is very comfortable to travel in thanks to an impressively forgiving ride. It deals well with uneven and bumpy roads meaning it's actually pretty refined. It's not as impressive in corners when you start to press on though. While the steering is responsive and accurate, the Chevrolet doesn't deal particularly well with tight corners where it feels quite heavy. There's decent grip but the rear-wheel drive Camaro lacks the agility of other coupes this size.
Chevrolet has worked hard to make the Convertible version as stiff as the coupe with reinforcements in the body structure and according to the firm it has better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3 Series Convertible - an impressive claim. It certainly doesn't feel like it loses any rigidity with the roof down and copes with potholes and bumps just as well as the coupe.
While fuel economy is unlikely to be a big priority if you own a Camaro, it's interesting to see that it comes with an Active Fuel Management system on the engine that's fitted with the automatic gearbox. This automatically shuts down four of the eight cylinders when they're not needed, helping to reduce fuel consumption. The manual gearbox Camaro averages a claimed 20mpg while the automatic is slightly more efficient with a claimed figure of 21.6mpg.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convertible | 20 mpg | 5.4 s | 285–329 g/km |
| Convertible Automatic | 22 mpg | 5.6 s | 184–304 g/km |
| Coupe | 20 mpg | 5.2 s | 292–1000 g/km |
| Coupe Automatic | 22 mpg | 5.4 s | 181–304 g/km |
Chevrolet Camaro (2012 – 2015) interior
- Boot space is 328–364 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4784–4837 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1348–1378 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2812–2852 mm |
The majority of modern cars from the US have often been let down by poor quality interiors (think Dodge Caliber, or don't as the case may be) but fortunately the Camaro is not one of them. The finish is impressive and the materials used throughout have a good quality feel to them. It may lack the sophistication of premium cars but makes up for it with some unique touches and design features.
The deep-set instrument dials, with their blue backlighting, look neat in the retro squared off surround and the air conditioning buttons are incorporated in a nice circular design, again harking back to Camaro models from the past. In front of the gear lever are four extra dials adding to the old-school 'muscle car' look of the 1969 Camaro. The gloss black plastic sections on the inside of the doors co-ordinates with the strip across the dashboard and both are nice touches. The colour changes depending on the paint choice.
From behind the wheel the Camaro feels refined and the driving position is very good too thanks to plenty of adjustment in the steering column. Despite the low roofline of the coupe bodystyle, there's still plenty of headroom, even for tall drivers. The leather sports seats have extra bolstering at the sides and sculpted 'shoulders' to keep you in place in corners.
While it's 'retro' in style, the Camaro has plenty of very modern features including a head-up display - something which you'd usually associate with premium makes like BMW and Audi. It's a proper head-up display that appears on the windscreen (rather than the Peugeot one) with key information such as speed and the stereo selection. It's a really useful feature and means you always know how fast you are going. Other equipment includes rear parking sensors with a reversing camera along with a premium Boston Acoustics nine-speaker stereo system complete with USB ports and Bluetooth.
The Convertible version has an electric folding roof (there is a handle that you need to unlatch) that folds down smoothly. With the roof down you get to enjoy that lovely V8 engine sound even more, however, there's is quite a lot of wind buffetting even with all the side windows up.
Standard equipment from launch (Spring 2012):
The UK version of the Camaro comes wiith 20-inch alloy wheels, Brembo performance brakes, full leather upholstery with a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a Boston Acoustics nine speaker audio system. Bluetooth and rear parking sensors.
Chevrolet Camaro (2012 – 2015) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4784–4837 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1348–1378 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2812–2852 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1539–1920 kg |
| Boot Space | 328–364 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 10000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £35,345–£41,845 |
| Insurance Groups | 48–50 |
| Road Tax Bands | I–M |
| Official MPG | 20.0–21.5 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
On sale until December 2022
| Cabriolet | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 50th Anniversary Edition T 275 Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
| 50th Anniversary Edition V8 453 2dr | - | - | - |
| 50th Anniversary Edition V8 453 Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
| Entry T 275 Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
| Entry V8 453 2dr | - | - | - |
| Entry V8 453 Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 50th Anniversary Edition T 275 Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
| 50th Anniversary Edition V8 453 2dr | - | - | - |
| 50th Anniversary Edition V8 453 Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
| Entry T 275 Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
| Entry V8 453 2dr | - | - | - |
| Entry V8 453 Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
On sale until June 2021
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dave QUANTUM demo 2dr | - | - | - |
On sale until October 2015
| Convertible | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 6.2 Convertible 405 Automatic 2dr | £41,845 | 21.5 mpg | 5.6 s |
| 6.2 Convertible 432 2dr | £40,345 | 20.0 mpg | 5.4 s |
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 6.2 Coupe 405 Automatic 2dr | £36,845 | 21.5 mpg | 5.4 s |
| 6.2 Coupe 432 2dr | £35,345 | 20.0 mpg | 5.2 s |
Model History
- July 2010
- November 2010: Chevrolet Camaro Convertible announced
- July 2011: Prices announced
- February 2012: Available to order
- September 2013: Upgraded for 2014
July 2010
The retro-styled Chevrolet Camaro has been on sale in the USA since 2009, and has already seen sales in excess of 200,000. Full four-seater, with an interior that also takes significant cues from the look of its forebears.
The Camaro will be available only in top level V8 trim – the 6.2-litre 426bhp powerplant is as much of a legend as the Camaro itself. It promises a top speed electronically limited to 155mph, and a 0-60mph time of less than five seconds, coupled to a dynamic chassis that, thankfully, owes little to the layout of more traditional muscle cars.
November 2010
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible announced
In production in January 2011 and in Europe, including the UK, in 2011. It includes an enhanced body structure and well-tailored top mechanism – a combination designed to deliver sports coupe-like driving fun and precise quality.
For Europe, it gets a 6.2-litre V-8 engine producing 426 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.
The Camaro convertible offers refinement, along with uncompromising, coupe-like driving dynamics. Its enhanced body structure helps prevent cowl or steering wheel shake, for a strong, confident feel in all driving conditions. The top has a smooth, tailored fit, with acoustical foam in the headliner that helps deliver a quiet ride with the top up.
The Camaro’s architecture was originally designed to accommodate a convertible model, which means customers enjoy the fun of top-down cruising with coupe-like driving dynamics. Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body structure to eliminate common convertible maladies of cowl and steering wheel shake. They include:
- A tower-to-tower brace under the hood
- A transmission support reinforcement brace
- Underbody tunnel brace
- Front and rear underbody “V” braces.
The result is a convertible that preserves nearly all the acceleration, road-holding and performance capabilities of the Camaro coupe. Additional safety structural reinforcements are designed to improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also contributing to the elimination of cowl/steering wheel shake. They include a hydrofromed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers. The structural changes to the Camaro convertible body give it superior bending and torsional stiffness than its closest competitor, and better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3 Series convertible.
At the outset, designers and engineers sought to eliminate the common appearance of convertible top support ribs and they succeeded, using composite knuckles rather than aluminium ones, as well as extending the top material below the belt line and revising the top’s stitch lines. The result is a top that has a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that also retains the sleek roofline of the coupe.
The power-folding top retracts in about 20 seconds. It is built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette convertible top, and operates in a similar manner. That means it folds in a simple “Z” pattern and latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Other convertible models in this segment still offer convertible tops with dual latches, forcing drivers into two-hand operations reaching across the car.
Once the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and activates the top. The car doesn’t have to be parked for the top to be activated, allowing for spur-of-the-moment lowering while stopped at a stoplight. The top is made of thick, durable canvas and it features acoustical headliner material that provides a quiet, coupe-like ride when the top is up. It also incorporates a glass rear window and rear window defogger.
A folding, one-piece tonneau cover is standard on 2LT and 2SS models and optional on 1LT/1SS. It covers the folded top for a finished appearance. An accessory windscreen is available from Chevrolet dealers. It installs behind the front seats to limit wind buffeting when driving with the top down.
July 2011
Prices announced
Arriving in showrooms in early 2012, the beefy American muscle car will be available from only £34,995 on-the-road. For that, customers will get a 6.2-litre V8 engined performance icon, with 432PS and suspension fine-tuned for European roads. The convertible model, which comes with a power-folding roof, will cost £39,995. Both variants are full European specification, with type-approved lighting and European-calibrated dials.
February 2012
Available to order
British fans of the iconic cars that ruled American roads throughout the 1960s can now place orders for the modern incarnation of one of the greatest muscle cars of all time – the Chevrolet Camaro.
Priced at £34,995 for the Coupe or £39,995 for the soft-top Convertible model, the new Camaro exudes all of the attributes that made the original muscle cars famous – great performance, stunning looks and incredible value for money.
In addition to the standard models, Chevrolet is also offering, for a limited time only, the 2012 45th anniversary Camaro, finished in striking Carbon Flash Black with bespoke red and silver anniversary stripes, dark silver 20-inch alloys, a unique 45th anniversary leather interior with red, white and blue stitching and a one-off white-backed instrument panel. It’s priced at £36,495 for the Coupe or £41,495 for the Convertible. All models come with a six-speed manual gearbox, but are available with a six-speed automatic transmission as a £1,500 option.
Power comes from a 6.2-litre V8 engine developing 432PS (405PS auto), with 0-62mph acceleration between 5.2 seconds (manual Coupe) and 5.6 seconds (auto Convertible). All Camaros have an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.
September 2013
Upgraded for 2014
Gets styling tweaks including new tail lights, along with updated ‘MyLink’ infotainment as seen in other recent Chevrolet models.
Power still comes from a 6.2-litre V8 with 432PS, which gives a 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds. Standard gear includes a reversing camera, leather upholstery and keyless entry and the new MyLink touchscreen system, which can be upgraded to include sat nav.
Prices for the updated Camaro start at £35,320 for the hard top and £40,320 for the convertible with cars in UK showrooms from late 2013.
What to watch out for
Camaro convertible has a surprisingly small trunk. Too small for a couple's suitcases. Also the roof operation is very slow the tonneau cover fiddly to fit.
