We've driven 1990s Ford Mustangs powered by the ol' 5.0 and the current 4.6 V8s, but - we've gotta say - our all-time most thrilling drive in a used US muscle car has been behind the wheel of a 1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. The Z28 isn't the sort of sportscar that delivers scalpel-like precision when you're threading your way up a narrow mountain pass - but it's one hugely enjoyable chunk of fun.
If you like automotive finesse this car's not for you.
If you like whiz-bang technology and sophistication this car's not for you.
But - yes - if you like ass-out grunty V8 RWDs, here's heaven.
The first thing that grabs first-time Z28 drivers is the immense surge of torque that arrives by merely breathing on the throttle. This is what we believe driving a big-cube V8 is all about - pure (somewhat uncontrolled) grunt! After the right foot has learnt its lesson - that extreme control is required - the Z28 then becomes one of the most effortless sportscars you'll ever drive. There's no waiting for turbos to build boost or climb into any other discernable powerband; this thing burbles along at barely above idle speed with a mountain of torque waiting just a couple of millimetres of throttle travel away. Big revs - who needs 'em?
Unlike some other large US sportcars - namely, the Ford Mustang - we found our (converted to RHD) Camaro's power rack-and-pinion steering was quite sweet for this chunky sort of car. At straight-ahead it's a little slack, but other that that it's all okay - well weighted and linear.
Due to its extra herbs, the gun Z28 model features a 'tuned sports suspension' upgrade over lesser Camaros - the basic design remains short/long arm (SLA) front-end with a live coil-sprung rear. Of course, all of this is very straightforward traditional stuff - but the ride, despite being slightly firm-ish, is quite comfortable.
The brake pedal is progressive, has good response and there's strong stopping power from the standard anti-lock four-wheel discs.
Having said that, this is not a car that you can handball to your little brother to go down to the shop for milk - it's got one particular trait could be quite unnerving for the uninitiated... For example, when we first picked this car up from Melbourne's Sports and Luxury Cars, we had to make a U-turn on a busy 4-lane road. Thinking nothing of it, we gave the throttle the required decisive prod and - w-h-o-a - the 5.7's massive low-down torque lit up the rear tyres, swung the back out and the battle was on to keep the sucker pointing vaguely in the right direction.
After our heart rates went back to normal, we fixed one thing very securely into our minds; "extreme, extreme throttle control is needed...".
We've now rabbited on plenty about the torque of the '95 Z28, so we'll tell you where it comes from. Under the bonnet of the Z28 pounds a 5.7-litre (350ci) LT1 SPFI V8 capable of 205kW (275hp) at 5000 rpm and 442Nm (325lb-ft) at only 2400 rpm. Those figures aren't startling - but it's the way that torque delivered that really gets you.
Part of this vehicle's muscular appeal is - of course - its thundering exhaust note. With offset pulses belching from the standard dual stainless steel system, drivers can't help feeling a bit like one of those 'heavy consumer' types. And that feeling is justified - the Z28 is officially listed drinking 13.8 litres per 100 km (17 mpg) in the city and 9.4 litre per 100 (25 mpg) in open settings. The fuel consumption during our test, however, was notably worse than that...
We've mentioned that the Z28 is the gun of the 1995 Camaro line-up - lesser models come powered by either a 3.4 or 3.8-litre V6. These engines generate 119kW (160hp) at 4600 rpm, and 153kW (200hp) at 5200 rpm respectively.
Backing the Z28's 350ci-er comes either a 6-speed manual or a 4-speed overdrive auto (as tested). We quite liked the V8 and auto trans combo - it made every manoeuvre feel oh-so effortless. The only thing we found a bit annoying was that overdrive was easily inadvertently selected instead of normal drive - there's only one easy-to-miss click separating them.
A limited slip diff comes as standard fitment beneath the Z28 - with a shorter sports axle ratio also available. It's no wonder Chevrolet deemed a LSD essential, coz even nailing this sucker straight off the line sends to two rear rubbers into a smokin' traction hunt. You've gotta be careful if you leave your boot too heavily into it, though - the back-end will spit sideways on the (auto) trans change into second gear. Once the crank is spinning much more than 5000 rpm, however, much of the 1500-odd kilogram Z28's performance seems to vanish; just about any other late-model Aussie big six can then put on a good fight against the Z28...
These days, it's refreshing to jump into a sportscar that doesn't flaunt wrap-around race-style seats. The Camaro doesn't pretend to be a high G-force cornering machine, so it carries very comfortable bucket 'armchairs'. The rest of the interior is also very functional and quite eye pleasing. Every Z28 cops central locking, remote hatch release, power windows and mirrors, easy-to-use air conditioning and ventilation controls, map lights, leather covered wheel and shifter, adjustable steering column and all interior fabrics are treated with Scotch Guard. Gauges are odometer (km/h and mph), tacho (5700 solid redline), oil pressure, battery volts, coolant temperature and fuel level - it's all clear and intelligently marked. Over-zealous Z28 drivers are protected by an airbag - the front passenger gets one too, all as standard.
As far as we can determine, the only optional interior extras for the 1995 Z28 were leather trim, cruise control, upgraded audio system and a 4-way electric driver's seat. Our test vehicle didn't get any of these except for the optional Delco-Bose audio system upgrade - which sure was music to our ears. While treble and mid-range were exceptionally good, we couldn't believe the tremendous amount of bass that the system could pump out. No matter how hard you try to drive the sub woofer into distortion, it simply shrugs it off; it's a real thumper.
Swinging attention to rear accommodation, there are two heavily bolstered bucket seats. Once you've settled into one, you'll find that the front seat backrest is quite close - but it's a situation that's redeemed by the useable space on both sides of the backrests. With this, you can splay your knees to the sides and scrounge enough space to maintain a reasonable amount of comfort. So, in all, knee room is acceptable - but you'll find head and legroom is reasonably limited.
Under the rear glass, the Camaro has quite a deep cargo hold - it doesn't extend far forward though, coz there's a dirty big axle passing through just beneath. It's the perfect size and shape for chucking a couple of soft bags. Taking up some extra space was our test car's audio system upgrade - the bass speaker enclosures ate some of the area near the top suspension mounts. Nothing too bad, though. As you might expect, the rear backrest can also be folded forward, making available up to 32.8 cubic feet of space.
During 1993, the Chev Camaro flourished into the modern looking body that you see here - the so-called 'fourth generation'. It's a pretty big fella too, measuring 4907 millimetres long, 1882 millimetres wide and a relatively low-slung 1303 millimetres tall. The front-end is one of the swoopiest you'll ever see - in the name of aerodynamics, the angle of the bonnet line and the windscreen are almost identical. More post-'93 Camaro styling cues are the contoured external mirrors, the integrated rear spoiler and the aggressive headlights. Note also, there's no grille - cooling air is grabbed from a pick-up under the nose.
Overall, the fourth generation Camaro has a very well proportioned appearance - aggressive but smooth.
And, if the updated styling of the '95 Camaro doesn't grab your attention, its body material might. The doors are 100 percent composite (plastic based) and the rear quarters have been galvanised. The rest of the body is fully rust-proof'd for comprehensive corrosion protection.
For those that like the wind ripping through their hair, the standard hard-roof'd Z28 was offered with optional removable Targa tops (which, when removed, don't reveal any obvious chassis rigidity problems). Note that a convertible version of the Z28 was also released.
Rolling stock for the Z28 are 16 x 8-inch alloys, wearing 235/55 or optional 245/50 tyres (also available in 'all-season' pattern). With the fitment of 'all season' tyres came the option for traction control - but, of course, that'd spoil half the fun of the beast....
Late-Model Camaros Living In Australia
Being an American based vehicle, you're legally allowed to drive a '95 Z28 only after its been converted to a right-hooker and the conversion's been fully ADR approved. Melbourne's Sports and Luxury Cars supplied our car and they'd performed all the necessary conversion work in-house. Unlike some other jobs, the Sports and Luxury Car (aka Cross-Over Conversions) conversion involves a full 'mirror' custom-moulded dash pad, modified floor panels and more. Not surprisingly - having been the first to convert a '95 Chev Camaro - Sports and Luxury Cars offer a comprehensive 2-year warranty on all conversion work. The conversion is damn' well perfect - from the km/h speedo to the right-hand drive dash, it looks and feels completely factory.
Our test Z28 (with only 36,800km genuine kilometres) was stickered at $42,990. And it's also quite a nicely built bit of gear. Our only small complaint in the quality department is some of the switchgear feels a bit imprecise.
In its contemporary brochure, the Z28 is clamed as being "the American sports machine". We'd be inclined to call it the wild, untamed American grunt machine!
Contact:
Sports and Luxury Cars
+61 3 9753 5799
www.sportsluxurycars.com.au
|
Emission Equipment
Craig Dean (the man behind Sports and Luxury Cars) tells us the on-road performance of these cars can vary, depending on the emission requirements that are imposed in certain areas of America. As an example, AutoSpeed's test Z28 - a real grunter - came delivered from Hawaii. Something potential Z28 buyers might want to check out....
|
|