2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS Test Track - This is really a great time to be a reducer. Not in the sense of no bad cars, because there yet,...
This is really a great time to be a reducer. Not in the sense of no bad cars, because there yet, but because the cars are are well really damn good . Take for example this Camaro SS. For three days, I lapped around the freshly repaved tarmac Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Michigan.
Currently GM offers six versions of the Camaro, from the relatively mild mannered 323 horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, imprisonment 580 HP supercharged ZL1 journalist. This does not include the nearly 17 convertible variants and specialties. This particular top White version is a 2SS model with leather interior, a 426 hp 6.2-liter V-8 automatic transmission and 6-speed. The construction of this car in the Chevy website comes in a hair under $ 40K.
Slipping in the wide leather seats, the Camaro immediately reveals its size. It is not a big car, but rather stout to about 4000 lbs and it feels like with management boosted the power and long brake pedal travel. This is not a complete negative because the reality of this car is that it will spend its life on the grind of daily commuter with a red light occasional explosion to remind the owner, they bought the V-8 .
However, the track is where the Camaro surprises you. Even with the boosted steering and power brakes marshmallow, the Camaro can actually manage on a track. In the first round, the SS seems to throw magically 1000 lbs. It is not a track car, but suddenly becomes agile. When the overbuilt nature of the Camaro comes in is its ability to repeat this activity for three consecutive days.
The first thing, of course, is to completely disable the traction control. Either hold the button or press twice to turn off completely, if yaw control applies the brakes. It will not upset the car, but it will add disk wear four-wheel almost overworked.
Instead, learn how to use the tires, but be aware that these tires will not last. The SS comes from the Oshawa staggered with P245 / 45R20 front and P275 / 40R20 rear summer performance tires. They are capable shoes, especially in light of the most likely fate of the Camaro. However, if you are in the market for it and you will hit the track, invest in a spare set of wheels and tires. It only differs from the Mustang GT or even the Challenger - they are all fast cars, but they are not Miatas consume and wear the items. Even Reviving their first appearances in the late 60s and brake shoes Trans-Am series, versions of the track of these cars need upgraded. Fortunately, there are a host of companies, including GM Performance, which make this a search late night entertaining Internet and endless fodder for debates on web forums and bench racing.
Besides these debates on the best wheels, tires and the creditworthiness of a GM brake system compared to an upgrade Wildwood, you can view discussions on engine improvements. You do not need. The 6.2 LS, even in this form, is plenty. You do not set track records, but the books of 420 feet of torque is more than enough to put you in over your head.
Leading a pack of supercars could be overwhelming, yet well-trained SS managed to hold its own. The car would push in Turn 2, but slide right on out for an explosion in Turn 3. With a load of suspension, the SS use the whole track for output and build a strong head of steam through 4 without lift and settle outside the entrance to 5. Turn 6 was the moneymaker of the Camaro. The trick is to take exit 5 all the way to the other side of the inlet 6, hit the top and roll in the accelerator hard. Let the rear wheels rotate through the limited slip, stepping back slightly off, and slide to the exit. Without fail, it would put a car length on aggressively led Nissan GT-R following behind. Sweeper right of turn 7 would AWD cars a chance to catch the Camaro pushed the front end to get to the outside, but the SS would be incredibly well composed and balanced through the 8/9 combo. Difficult 10a with a hint of braking track and before letting the big dog run on the flat Phoenix, manual entry to turn 11 and on the front straight, hard braking from top of the hill to turn 1.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat. That would be the work of SS for three consecutive days. This is actually where you begin to respect the Camaro. Yes, there are many well-built cars that you can drive to the track, enjoy the weekend and drive home, but the SS was there to lead a pack of 9 supercars totaling nearly 4500 horses - five of each equipped with four-wheel drive. It was a real trial for the great white whale, and it was honestly the task. It is not a supercar. He's just a solid, fast car.
If you are 40 large and a need for occasional backseat, you could do worse than the Camaro. Stay off the option box could keep the cost closer to $ 35K. This will leave a little room for changes that you want to possibly do. After all, you are a reducer, and it is a good time to be one.
General Motors contributed nothing to this review.
Christian "Mental" Ward has owned more than 70 cars and destroyed most of them. He is married to the most patient woman in the world, lives in Atlanta and is racing his Honda Civic band covered within 24 hours of LeMons this month to Autobahn in Joilet Illinois. You can follow this and all other shenaningans on Instagram, Twitter and Vine to M3ntalward
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