2011 CHEVROLET CAMARO PERFORMANCE

Three engines will be offered in the new Chevy Camaro: a V-6 and a V-8, as in years past. This time, CarTribe reports, the engines will include “either a 296-hp, 3.6-liter V6 or a 416 hp 6.2-liter V8 which will feature cylinder deactivation to boost fuel economy.” Motor Trend has more details on the V-6: “With variable valve timing, double overhead camshafts, and four valves per cylinder, this high-feature V-6 is arguably more significant and undeniably higher tech than the Camaro's V-8,” they write. Car and Driver reports this engine “will be standard in the RS.” GM confirms that the power output will be 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.

The other engines will be “a choice of two pushrod V-8s,” Car and Driver reveals, “both 6.2 liters, one expected to generate just under 400 horsepower, the other capable of about 416.” With the higher-powered version, they add, the Camaro likely will be faster to 60 mph than the Dodge Challenger SRT8, possibly hitting 60 mph “in 4.8 seconds.” GM confirms the power output of the V-8 will be 422 hp and 408 lb-ft of torque when outfitted with the standard six-speed manual transmission; a different version of the V-8 with Active Fuel Management will be offered with the six-speed automatic. That versions will put out 400 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque.

Down the road, the Chevy Camaro could see smaller engine options. Car and Driver says Chevrolet “refuse to discuss the rumor of a possible future turbo four. Ditto hybrids,” while Motor Trend theorizes that “a powerful ECOTEC four-cylinder -- already seen in cars like the Pontiac Solstice GXP -- makes a lot of sense.” AutoWeek flatly predicts “a 2.0 liter, 260-hp turbocharged four, similar to what's in the Pontiac Solstice, will also likely be available.”

GM is putting major effort into making sure the new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro is a great car to drive, and not just in a straight line. Motor Trend reports the Camaro development team “brought along (and kept) the Dodge Charger, Nissan 350Z, and stretch targets like the Infiniti G37.” They explain that to equal those cars in road feel, “the fifth-gen Camaro will use independent rear suspension for the first time in the marque's history.” Car and Driver explains that in the Camaro, “the engine rides an inch further toward the front, and the steering rack sits ahead of the front axle” for better handling. CarTribe states the Camaro will “have a weight balance of 52/48, front/rear,” to the same effect