HSV lands a right-hook

HSV muscles up to the Mustang with a remanufactured powerful Camaro, writes Damien O’Carroll.

Chevrolet Camaro

Base price: Powertrain and performance:

$104,990.

6.2-litre petrol V8, 339kW/617Nm, 8-speed automatic, RWD, Combined economy 11.5 litres per 100km.

4784mm long, 1349mm high, 2811mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 258 litres, 20-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 tyres front and 275/35 rear.

Looks sensational. Flawless ‘‘re-engineering’’ into RHD. Quality interior. Sounds fantastic up in the revs. Sharp, confident handling.

We don’t like:

Cramped cabin. Poor visibility. Busy ride. The colour. pleasingly savage as well, with a nicely compliant rear end that will happily writhe and squirm under all that power, break majestically loose or stay confidently planted, depending on how you treat the loud pedal.

But it is also surprisingly frugal for a big 6.2-litre V8, thanks to the cylinder deactivation that kicks in easily and often (dropping it to four cylinders when cruising, at 100kmh and even some light acceleration).

A week driving around town – complete with many, many utterly unnecessary, but totally hilarious full-throttle blasts away from traffic lights – and a decent 250km open road run down country saw an average consumption of 11.2L/100km, or than HSV actually claims for it.

In terms of handling, the Camaro is nicely adjustable on the throttle and also boasts some brilliantly direct steering, which makes it surprisingly sharp and accurate through corners (y’know, for an American car and all), but there is a down side to this ...

Vital statistics:

We like:

What possible downside could there be to direct and accurate steering?

Not so much the steering itself, but the steering combined with the firm ride and massive 20-inch wheels means that you are constantly chasing the Camaro over the road when you going hard.

It follows any ridge or contour of the road and you are constantly making small adjustments. It’s not awful, and it is sublimely good when you are really getting stuck into a winding road, but it sure ain’t a relaxing cruiser.

Any other cars I should consider?

In terms of ‘‘New Zealand new’’ with a proper factory warranty, then it is either the Ford Mustang or nothing. If you are a dedicated Ford fan, then the Camaro could be half the price and still not interest you. If you are a dedicated GM fan, then it could possibly well be twice the price and still hold strong appeal.

If you don’t particularly care about the badge and just want some big, brash American muscle, then the Mustang makes a stronger rational case, but the Camaro still has those remarkable looks and a more exclusive appeal.

Just don’t EVER put Transformer badges on it . . .

HSV is keeping its V8 flame alive with ‘‘remanufactured’’ RHD American icons like the Camaro. The high-quality interior is a bit squeezed, but you would never guess it was originally a lefty.

LEFT: Huge wheels, direct steering and a firm ride mean the Camaro isn’t a relaxed cruiser, but it sure can take a corner.RIGHT: It’s big, fast and unfortunately yellow, but it is still very cool.