Announced at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, SMS Supercars has added a Camaro to its roster that already includes Ford Mustangs and Dodge Challengers. Before I continue, I want to make sure we’re clear that when I say SMS I mean the SMS that stands for it’s founder, Steve Mark Saleen, who also serves as the namesake for another brand with which he has no affiliation. Mr. Saleen has been a superstar in the world of supercars since he began tuning professionally in 1983, and his reputation for excellence has been solid since.

Saleen’s (the man, not the company eluded to above) reputation should be cemented further with the SMS 620 Camaro. The 620’s engine is alleged to give 575 hp. If this is a little weak for your tastes, you can get 715 horses if you make the leap to the 620X version. I guess the 620X could be classified as a superdupercar.  You can get yourself either version in mid-2010. And, if you can’t buy one, hopefully you’ll get the pleasure of feeling the breeze of one of these babies blowing by on a highway near you.

Back in the 1960s, Don Yenko was the man responsible for a slew of go-fast GM cars—nearly everything from the Corvair to the Camaro got extra power and improved handling thanks to the GM Central Office Production Order (COPO) strategy that helped Yenko turn those specially ordered cars into street legends. Five decades on, General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) has purchased the licensing rights to the Yenko name and intends to resurrect the Yenko Super Car with a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS upgraded and restyled to recall those historic icons.

The Phase I concept is powered by a supercharged and intercooled V-8 making 600 hp, backed up by a Magnaflow exhaust system, Tremec six-speed transmission with Hurst short-throw shifter, and a burly six-piston brake setup. The prototype is on display at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas, but we’ll have to wait and see if GMCI can actually produce a car worthy of the historic Yenko name.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Check out Car and Driver’s piece on the Top 10 Muscle Car Tests of 2009. Featuring videos from the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS V-82010, Ford Shelby GT500, Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, 2010 Roush Ford Mustang 427, R2010 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport vs. 2010 Ford Shelby GT500, 2010 Chevy Camaro SS vs. 2010 Ford Mustang GT, 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, 2008 Dodge Viper, SRT10 Coupe, and the 2009 Chevy Corvette ZR1.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Hennessey Performance Engineering has begun production of the 2010 HPE550 Camaro to satisfy those who just can’t wait any longer for Chevy to resurrect the Z28. Through simple modifications including the addition of a Magnuson/Hennessey supercharger system, a Corsa stainless-steel exhaust system and custom engine-management calibration, the HPE550 adds to the 426-hp, 6.2-liter V8 Camaro SS, allowing it to produce 562 horsepower and 557 lb-ft or torque. According to Hennessey, this allows the car to reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a quarter-mile in 12.1 seconds at 119 mph, on street tires. With several other available add-ons, including a half-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park, the HPE550 package will run you about $15k for the powertrain upgrades alone. Still, a 562-hp Camaro for well under $50k…not bad.

There was a time when an American muscle car release was front-page material. Sadly, given today’s economic problems, and specifically those of the auto industry, less people are paying attention to upcoming car releases. Frankly, we think it’s a damn shame.

While our bias is always towards Chevy, there are some awesome cars being released across the board these days. One such car: the 2010 Ford Mustang. We’ve long preferred the Camaro to the Mustang (does anyone care to remember those horrible Escort-like ponies of the 1980s) – but Ford has upped their game.

Let’s put the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro LT2 Coupe head-to-head with the 2010 Ford Mustang V6 Premium Coupe:

2010 Chevy Camaro | Image Courtesy of Car and Driver

Price: Ford wins. The Mustang starts at $23,995 compared to a $26,580 sticker for the Chevy.

Body Styling: We’re giving this one to Chevy. Oddly, the 2010 Camaro looks more like a Mustang than any previous model. But thankfully, it has a subtle touch of Viper – which is awesome. The 2010 Mustang isn’t radically different from previous years, but we see a hint of Datsun in the rear styling – which we’re kind of cool with.

2010 Ford Mustang | Image Courtesy of Car and Driver

Engine: Camaro all the way. The LT2 sports 298hp@6300rpm in a 3.6L V6. The Mustang, though lighter overall, can’t compete with its 210hp@5300rpm in a 4.0L V6.

Interior: The Camaro by a hair. The Chevy has slightly less headroom with a bit more legroom – but overall, the Chevy’s interior just feels cooler. (It’s worth noting that when things seem “cooler”, they tend to get old fast. Perhaps the simple interior of the Ford will better stand the test of time.)

Performance: The jury is still out…stay tuned. (The smart money is on Chevy.)

Features: It’s a wash. Ford has finally caught up for 2010, adding Bluetooth connectivity, an MP3 dock, and other features that were noticeably absent in past models.

What the Auto Critics are Saying:

“The new Mustang now offers better road manners and a vastly improved interior, but the underpinnings are very familiar.” -Car and Driver, 2010 Ford Mustang review

“The ride quality of the Camaro doesn’t even rate a comparison with the lesser Mustang, and it makes the Challenger’s handling feel plodding.” - Car and Driver, 2010 Chevrolet Camaro review

Final Thoughts: Though it may have seemed a foregone conclusion – we have to name the 2010 Camaro winner overall.

We’ve been hooked on the Camaro for 40 years – no surprise there. But the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has us excited – it’s being released in three spectacular models!

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro will be available in LS, LT and SS editions. The first two models will be powered by a 300-hp 3.6L V6. The SS will be powered by either a 400-hp 6.2L L99 V8 or a 422-hp 6.2L LS3 V8 (hopefully the latter).

Features Include:

• Ultrasonic rear parking assist,
• 4-wheel disc brakes (on the SS, 4-piston Brembo calipers),
• OnStar,
• Stabilitrak stability control system, and
• Bluetooth phone connectivity.

The s LT and SS models also include a spoiler, redesigned tail lamps, 20 inch wheels and integrated halo rings. Given what we know, the 2010 Camaro models are some of the most anticipated Chevy releases in decades.

The 2010 Chevy Camaro is scheduled for a Spring 2009 release, and the days on the calendar keep inching closer. Dealers have been accepting pre-orders since October 2008, so if you’ve been jonesing for some old-school muscle, you had better place an order soon.

A 6-Speed manual and optional TAPshift automatic transmission is available on all 2010 Camaro models. While we’d like to see some concrete data, we’re happy to see a projected 300 hp DOHC V6 and the preferred 400 hp V8. What we know for sure is that the Camaro will sport a 4.5-link independent rear suspension, six airbags and a standard (1 Year) OnStar Safe & Sound plan.

10 colors, USB connectivity, Bluetooth wireless technology, and six airbags make the 2010 Camaro an attractive proposition. Starting at $22,995, we’re sold.

Image courtesy: chevrolet.com