Check out this video (link below) and decide for yourself if this muscle car is on steroids or what? The author of the Examiner article discussing this Camaro, which appears to be sitting on an off-road suspension lift seemed to think it’s pretty cool.  And, it is? That doesn’t mean that there are hordes of Camaro owners eager or even willing to let someone perform this type of surgery on their baby.  I think we’d all be shocked to see a vintage or a 2010 Z28 sitting on monster truck wheels. The question is who’d be more appalled, muscle car enthusiasts or hard-core off-roaders. My guess is the former.

‘Lifted Camaro’ article and video.

A 2010 Camaro SS will be competing in Formula Drift this season. It was displayed not too long ago at the 2009 SEMA show.  Built by Luke Loneberger,  it will be driven by its owner, Conrad Grunwald. Last year Grunwald was scene in Formula D driving a Corvette, so he should be comfortable competing in this custom Chevy.

If you want to get yourself in the mood for this type of acton I highly reccomend you check out this great formula D video produced by Josh Heron. If you haven’t seen it and you’re anything like me, this could really make your day.

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.

In its most recent encounter with a Corvette—July 2006—the Mustang didn’t fare well against Chevy’s Corvette. Road-course lap times favored the Vette, and even on something as uncomplicated as a drag strip, the big-horsepower Mustang didn’t cover itself with low-ET glory.So at a glance, this may look like another mismatch. On the other hand, Chevy’s new Camaro inventory has nothing that measures up to this latest Carroll Shelby–anointed Mustang, in either price ($50,895 as tested) or power.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Ford forecasts runs to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. But even though it enjoys a power-to-weight advantage versus the Vette, in four tests with four different GT500s the best we’ve achieved is with this example: 4.5 to 60 and the quarter in 12.7 at 115 mph.There’s certainly no shortage of thrust. The GT500’s supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter V-8 delivers potent midrange response and sounds terrific. But all that power makes it tough to keep launches from going up in smoke.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Away from the track, the Mustang is more likable. We gave it a small edge in ride quality (though this is like the difference between flint and granite—both are hard). The quality of the paint, assembly, and interior materials is consistent with the big price tag—not a squeak or a rattle with 6400 miles on the odo—and if the seats aren’t as supportive as those in the Vette, they look snappy with their red-and-black color scheme. We gave a clarity advantage to the GT500’s nav system, and, of course, the Mustang has a back seat—extra points for that. We’d like the front buckets better if the seatbacks were power adjustable, and we’d like the Alcantara-clad steering wheel better if it adjusted for reach as well as rake—not an unreasonable expectation in a $50K car.

Still, no one was surprised that the Corvette took the trophy again. In part, this is due to the difference between a sporty car and a true sports car. But it’s also due to the Ford’s archaic rear suspension. The SVT troops have done a remarkable job of keeping it viable, but it’s like prepping for a hundred-meter sprint by connecting your ankles with a three-foot tether. Adding power can’t completely fix it.

Credit: CarandDriver.com

We all know that we can buy cars off eBay. However, GM is running an innovative program that allows buyers to purchase new GM vehicles all from one place via an eBay sub-site. This may raise awareness while making it more convenient for buyers with almost 20,000 vehicles from 225 California dealerships being offered. Available models include 2008, 2009, and 2010 Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, and Pontiac vehicles. The site allows customers to easily purchase a new vehicle using the “Buy It Now” function if they agree to the dealership’s price, or even haggle for better price. This interesting trial program ends September 8, so be sure to check it out here.

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.

Car and Driver is planning to re-launch its site. This new and improved site promises to be much more interactive and user-friendly. With increased functionality, it will be even easier to navigate. There is much more information and links on the new homepage, allowing for quicker, more efficient search.

In addition, one of the best features of the new site is the increased functionality of the buyer’s guide, which allows you to more easily search for vehicles specifically tailored to your needs. For example, if you choose a make such as Chevrolet, the new site instantly provides you with several links to the latest reviews, comparison tests, news, and advice on different models.

Then, selecting a model, such as the Corvette allows you to view all of its top competitors in that class. With the ability to drill down on specifications and view tons of interior and exterior images, the new Car and Driver site is definitely more interactive and user-friendly, and will enhance your Chevy muscle car shopping experience. Check out a screen-shot of this below, and feel free to email any feedback to caranddriver@hfnm.com.

The HPE550 - a 562hp beast

Texas-based Hennessey Performance Engineering is giving the 2010 Camaro a shot in the arm – and the shot it pure juice.

The 2010 Hennessey HPE550 Chevrolet Camaro adds a Magnuson/Hennessey supercharger to the already powerful base Camaro SS – the result, a 136hp boost. The HPE550 boasts an incredible 562hp with 557lb-ft of torque. According to Hennesy, the HPE550 can hit 60mph in 4.1 seconds – .7s faster than the production SS.

A diy version of the HPE550 will run you around $47K, a turnkey version warranted by Hennessey for 3 years/36,000 miles starts at $59K.

2010 Chevy Camaro - Finally!

After a few grueling months of wait, the 2010 Chevy Camaro is available to the public. We haven’t yet had the opportunity to take one for a test drive, but the consensus from the automotive community is very promising.

We’ve compiled some blurbs and reviews that will help get your expectations in line with what the 2010 Camaro has to offer:

“Chevy is casting the new Camaro as a modernist sports coupe rather than a revisionist pony car, and its case holds some water. That argument is backed up with an EPA highway fuel-economy rating of 29 mpg, which is 6 mpg higher than the similarly powerful Mustang GT, and 3 mpg higher than the ratings for the Infiniti G37 and BMW 335i…the V-6 Camaro will walk a fine line between classiness and savagery.”

-Car and Driver

“The new, fifth-generation Camaro delivers on all fronts. Base price for the V-6 edition is just $22,995 — and that car is by no means a rental-fleet special. A nicely outfitted, fire-breathing, V-8-powered Camaro SS can be yours for around $35K. Go ahead, cry some more joyful tears.”

-Motor Trend

“It was worth the wait. With segment-topping performance and value to complement its striking styling, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is our top pick among modern-day muscle cars.”

-Edmunds

Perhaps the most amazing feature of the 2010 Camaro is the fuel-efficiency of the V6. 29mpg highway is nothing to sneeze at, and takes away all the guilt of owning a muscle car. Not that we were guilty to begin with

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe marked the resurrection of Chevrolet’s popular pony car – convertibles are slated for 2011. Typical to a Chevy muscle car, the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is expected to deliver high performance with an estimated 29mpg EPA highway rating.

Like the coupe, the new Camaro convertible will be available in three trims – LT, LS and SS with V6 and V8 engine options.

Although Camaro fans are rejoicing over the roadster’s comeback, the ride will not be easy for the 2011 Chevy Camaro. It has to take on the likes of the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Nissan 350Z coupe and convertibles.

The 2011 Chevy Camaro is likely to hit the road during September 2011.

Image: CarandDriver