For 2012, the Chevrolet Camaro sees a number of improvements. The V6 versions get more power, the SS coupe gets a revised sport suspension, a rearview camera becomes available and all Camaros benefit from an interior with much-needed upgrades. The new Camaro ZL1 also debuts this year, resurrecting a legendary name and providing pavement-ripping performance by way of a supercharged V8.
The 2012 Chevy Camaro is a four-seat coupe or convertible available in V6-powered 1LS and 2LS (coupe only), 1LT and 2LT trim levels, and V8-powered 1SS and 2SS trim levels. This year marks the debut of the ultra-performance ZL1, which comes packing a supercharged V8.
Standard equipment on the 1LS includes black 18-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, cruise control, keyless entry, air-conditioning, four-way manual front seats with power recline, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, OnStar and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. The 2LS is essentially just the 1LS with an automatic (versus manual) transmission.
The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro LS and LT come with an updated 3.6-liter V6 this year thats good for 323 hp and 278 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is optional. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined with the automatic, with the manual good for 2 fewer mpg across the board.
The Camaro SS gets a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque with the standard six-speed manual and 400 hp and 410 lb-ft with the six-speed automatic. With the manual, the SS hits 60 mph in 5 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg with the manual. The automatic is only slightly less fuel-efficient at 15/24/18, thanks to less engine power as well as cylinder-deactivation technology.
The Camaro ZL1 boasts a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 580 hp and 556 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a six-speed automatic optional. Though we have yet to track test the ZL1, performance estimates put the 0-60-mph dash and the quarter-mile times in the low 4-second and low-12 second ranges, respectively. Fuel mileage estimates stand at 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway.
Whether you choose the vigorous V6 or one of the tire-shredding V8s, no one will ever accuse your 2012 Chevrolet Camaro of being slow. The Camaro also displays impressive amounts of cornering grip, communicative steering and a refined suspension that makes this generation of GMs classic sport coupe (and convertible) exponentially more talented around corners than any Camaro that has come before.
2012 Chevrolet Camaro Owners Manual
