Monday, October 26, 2009

Mmm... Upgrades

So I'm once again in the US - only a short trip this time, less than a week. As per usual, I've gone to Avis and got a silly rental car! GM released the new Camaro earlier this year and it's worked it's way through to the rental companies. Avis asked if I'd like to upgrade to one - how could I say no? It was either that or a Kia Optima.

And what do you know - it's actually not a bad car. It has a 3.6l V6 engine putting out 304bhp. It certainly feels a lot faster than the base model Mustang (this is the base Camaro), which rates only 210bhp from its 4.0l engine. The auto gearbox also feels more responsive, although I suspect the extra power helps there. In another plus it has independent rear suspension rather than the frankly primitive live rear axle. It's also feels slightly higher quality inside, but I think this is due to GM liberally borrowing from the bits box - the indicator stalks, trip computer, steering wheel buttons, light switch and electric window buttons are all identical to those in the new Opel/Vauxhall Vectra. Anyway, it's fun, fast and looks cool - I'm enjoying it! Here's a photo of it in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.


And just for Sam, here's a US spec Volvo 240 in California licence plates.

4 comments:

Dom said...

Man, that Camero is cool!

The Jolly Blogger said...

Mmmm that's a nice 240 sprinkled with bits I'd expect to find on the limited edition Torslanda. Was it an automatic or did it have a proper gearbox?

Matt said...

Glad you like them! Pretty sure it was an auto box in the 240 - this IS America.

Ben said...

So it looks better than a Mustang... drives better than a Mustang... and in fact is better than a Mustang.

And the Camaro isn't bad either (badum-tish).