Auto Trends

You heard it right Folks… GM is considering offering yet another package for the 2010 Camaro, a 2.0 liter4-cylinder package. Upon first hearing this, many Chevrolet performance enthusiasts probably about fell out of their chair…

Is GM crazy?

Are they worried about their sales figures?

Did somebody make a typo in the press release?

Well if you are a “green” friendly consumer, this news should come as a nice surprise, as the 2.0 liter is capable of a very friendly 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. That is as long as you can keep your foot off the accelerator, because this turbo charged version of the 2.0 liter will be none other than the same engine being used right now in the Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Red Line.

That means that every time you would go to press that accelerator you can look forward to about 260 horsepower and 260 lbs-torque. That is more than enough to embarrass any V-6 Ford Mustang (210 hp) or V-6 Dodge Challenger (250 hp). The hope here is that these numbers will be enough to sell consumers on the idea of a 4-cylinder muscle car. Here are a few specifications to wet your appetite:

Engine

Type: Turbocharged/Intercooled Inline-4, Aluminum Block

Bore x Stroke: 3.39 x 3.39 in, 86.0 x 86.0mm

Displacement: 122 cu in, 1998cc

Compression Ratio: 9.2:1

Fuel System: Direct Injection

Turbocharger: BorgWarner K04

Maximum Boost: 18.0 psi

Power: 260 bhp @ 5300 rpm

Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm

Here are a few possible stats you could be looking at:

0-60 in around 6 seconds

¼ mile time in 14.2 seconds @ 98 mph

Top Speed of 142 mph

Why wouldn’t this sell to consumers? The 4.0 Mustang has more than proved itself these past 3 years as having enough guts to please the average daily driver. With gas prices rising straight out of the hood of most V-8 muscle cars, some consumers just might be willing to give the little “2.0 that can” a chance. GM will still be packaging their 306 horsepower V-6 and 400+ horsepower V-8 in the lineup, so all the true adrenaline junkies will still be able to get their fill.

What this might do is give some more folks the chance to own a new Camaro. GM has already admitted that they will not be in comparison with the low price of the Ford Mustang… and they shouldn’t be. The Chevrolet Camaro will be much more sophisticated in engine, suspension, and electronics, and have a higher quality interior over the Mustang according to GM spokespersons.

Okay… I guess the 4-cylinder wouldn’t be so bad after all!