Review Chevrolet Camaro coupe

"Like the 1960s original, the latest UK version of the Chevrolet Camaro is both fast and loud." Returning to the UK after a 10 year absence, the Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most iconic of American muscle cars that include the Dodge Challenger and the Boss Mustang. Sticking to the simple formula of a big V8 engine, rear-wheel-drive and brash, head-turning looks, the Camaro will go on sale from March 2012 and can be bought either as a Coupe or a soft-top Cabriolet, with either a manual or automatic gearbox. The European version of the Camaro comes with a stiffer suspension setup for improved handling, and is only offered in flagship SS trim, which includes everything from leather upholstery to parking sensors and a top-of-the-range stereo. With 426bhp the Camaro manages the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.7 seconds, going on to an electronically limited 155mph top speed. Drive 3.8 /5 Straight-line speed isn't matched by cornering poise Driving the Camaro delivers the authentic muscle car experience, so it's very wide and low, and has a big, loud V8 engine driving the rear wheels, using either a manual or automatic gearbox available. With 426bhp, performance is rapid, but the heavy clutch, clunky gearchange and vague steering make it quite a difficult car to drive with conviction. The automatic is easier to live with, but the Camaro is better suited to cruising than cornering, and although there's lots of grip, it's quite a heavy car, and that extra weight can make it feel quite cumbersome on winding roads. The brakes are strong though, and it's surprisingly refined, but visibility is an issue in the coupe, with the thick A and C-pillars making it difficult to see out of. Comfort 3.9 /5 Refinement is surprisingly good for a sports car Although the Camaro makes no secret of its focus on performance, it's actually a surprisingly comfortable cruiser, despite riding on enormous 20-inch wheels. It's compliant over bigger bumps, but can become jarring over smaller imperfections. There's also plenty of sound-deadening in the cabin, so wind and road noise are kept to a minimum on the motorway. Inside, the electric leather front seats make it simple to find the right driving position, and the Camaro also comes with a clever head-up display, which projects key driver information onto the windscreen, so you never have to take your eyes off the road. Reliability 4.0 /5 All the major mechanicals have a proven track record The Camaro's engine is borrowed from the Chevrolet Corvette supercar, and has a long history of reliability, and as the car has already been on sale in America for over two years, any early problems will have been resolved. The interior feels sturdily built, although the materials used betray the car's cheapness, and are hard and scratchy to the touch. Chevrolet offer a five-year warranty with the Camaro, which includes a year's free roadside assistance. It's not yet been tested by Euro NCAP, but there's plenty of safety kit as standard, including traction control, six airbags and ISOFIX childseat mounting points. Practicality 3.8 /5 Despite the two-door layout, its fairly roomy For a sporty two-door model, the Camaro is reasonably practical, with a 320-litre boot that's capable of carrying a pair of large suitcases, but the opening of the boot is quite small, making loading oddly shaped items a tricky exercise. The low-roofline means there's not much head room for rear passengers though, and fitting anyone over six-foot in the back row would be a struggle. Driving on UK roads in a left-hand drive car is also quite tricky, and the Camaro's wide, long body makes navigating narrower roads a tense affair. Value for money 4.2 /5 Camaro comes with extensive kit list and low price tag. The Camaro holds a big advantage over its more cultured European rivals - its price. The range starts at £34.995 for the manual coupe, rising to just over £40k for the automatic cabriolet. Not only that, but its only available in the highest specification in the UK, which includes leather seats, cruise control, parking sensors, Bluetooth, so it really is a lot of car for the money, and you'll struggle to go quicker for less. That being said, it's only available in left-hand drive, and the low price has to be balanced against the hefty everyday running costs. Running costs 2.8 /5 Thirsty engine will mean big fuel bills The automatic version of the Camaro uses a slightly less powerful engine that shuts down half it's cylinders to help save fuel when you're cruising, but even with this technology, fuel economy is very poor, as you'd expect. The manual version returns just 20mpg, and a C02 figure of 329g/km means a £1000 Road Tax bill in the first year of ownership. Similarly, other costs like brakes, tyres and insurance will also be very steep, off-setting the low initial price.