The muscle car. That American invention that no country can duplicate. We tend to be intensely loyal to our preferred model of muscle car, be it Mustang, Challenger, or Camaro. But some folks aspire to feel the wind in their hair along with the muscle in their acceleration. For those folks there is the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible.
Our test model is the 2SS with a 6.2L V8, good for 400hp and 410 lb/feet of torque. Power goes to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. A 6-speed manual is also an option and it gives you more horsepower and torque to boot: 426 and 420 respectively. EPA fuel ratings are 15 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined. The automatic has an Active Fuel Management system, using 4 cylinders instead of 8 when under light load. I came rather close to the EPA rating, averaging 16.3 mpg during my time in the Camaro.
| STATS | Starting Retail Price | As Tested Price | HP / Lb-Ft |
| 2015 Chevy Camaro 2SS Convertible | $42,405 | $46,090 | 400 / 410 |
| EPA Rating MPG | As Tested MPG | ||
| Rating: BUY IT! | 15/24 Combined 18 | Â 16.3 |
The Camaro got a bit of a refresh in 2014, and it remains unchanged for 2015. From the outside, the Camaro looks like a coiled up cat, ready to pounce. The high belt line and nipped down front end give it a menacing look. The refreshed rear end harkens back to the Camaro of the late 1960’s with two tail lights instead of the four of the past few years.
Although the car looks great from the outside, you pay the price with significantly reduced visibility from the inside. Although not as much of a problem when the top is down, for obvious reasons, the high belt line makes you feel like you’re sitting in a bathtub. The power adjustable driver’s seat mitigates that sunken feeling somewhat, but there is only so far you can raise your seat before your sightline is parallel with the windshield frame. Fortunately the 2SS comes with a back up camera and rear park assist standard, both very helpful when trying to maneuver the Camaro when the top is up.
There are a fair amount of hard materials and plastics throughout the cabin, which is too bad as the overall design has a fun, retro feel to it. The analog tachometer and speedometer are framed separately, just like the Camaros of yesteryear, with a digital speedometer in between.
The 7″ color touchscreen with the MyLink infotainment system is generally easy to use. The optional navigation system offers easy and intuitive inputs.
Other standard features include keyless entry, heated front seats, tilt and telescopig steering column, a multi-funtional steering wheel, satellite ratio, and leather seats. A USB port is located in the center storage arm rest, but it didn’t work with my $15 aftermarket iPhone charger that I bought at T-Mobile. It did, however, charge my phone with a $6 aftermarket charger that I bought at 7-11.
The Camaro officially has room for four passengers, but let’s be honest. Nobody but the very small, flexible, and young are going to ever sit back there. Instead it will more than likely be used for cargo, as the trunk only allows for 10.2 cu/ft of space, and that’s with the top up. Drop that bad boy and the usable space in the trunk drops to 7.5 cubes.
The rag top unlatches at the center of the windshield frame with a quick twist. And that’s about the only part of the rag top that’s quick.
The top takes a full 20 seconds to fully drop, and it’s not a one touch button. You must keep your finger on the button for the full 20 seconds. When the top is fully retracted the motor stops and your day just got a bit sunnier.
When putting the top up, again the button must remain pushed for the entire 20 seconds. However, the motor does not stop when the top is fully in place. Using the twist handle to lock the top in place requires a bit of muscle.
Behind the wheel the V8 is remarkably composed and easy to handle, yet eager to play when called upon. The 6-speed automatic transmission can be shifted manually, and will even let you hang out close to the red zone, if that’s your bag.
The ride is a bit rough, partially thanks to the 20″ polished aluminum wheels. But we can also thank those 20″ wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero rubber for supplying extra grip in the corners. It’s a heavy car, yet with a limited slip differential, it still remains composed in the corners, at least on public roads. Really pushing it on a track may yield a different result.
The chassis doesn’t seem to have lost any rigidity with the loss of the top. The steering is electrically boosted but still offers good road feedback and quick inputs.
The Camaro SS convertible starts at $31,205 for the base 1LT. Our top of the line 2SS starts at $42,405 and with the optional 6-speed automatic, 20″ wheels, and navigation, the final price is $46,090.
While there are plenty of muscle cars that compete with the Camaro with a hard top, the only real drop top competition is the Ford Mustang GT convertible. The Infiniti Q60 convertible is less powerful and not much of a muscle car, and those thinking of AWD can feast their eyes on the Audi TT Roadster.
If you want more power with your sun and fun, look at the Camaro ZL1 convertible, sporting a supercharged 6.2L V8, piping out 580 hp and 556 lb/ft of torque.
On the TFLcar scale of:
- Buy it!
- Lease it!
- Rent it!
- … or Forget it!
The 2015 Chevy Camaro 2SS convertible gets a Buy It!
While Chevrolet needs to work on the speed of that power retractable soft top, the 2SS convertible is still a delightful place to spend the afternoon.
TFL Car spotted what could be the 2016 Chevy Camaro turbo out testing. See what you think in the video below.
Emme is a driver, reviewer, rabble rouser, and Gazelle who can be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and either one of her blogs.
