Chevrolet Camaro Gas Mileage

The Chevrolet Camaro is due for a long-awaited comeback in the 2010 model year and given the times, we should expect at least one fuel-efficient engine among the tire-smoking options. Throughout the history of Chevy’s pony car, the entry-level Camaro’s gas mileage ratings were an important part of the marketing mix. While many enthusiasts only remember the V8 engines, six cylinder Camaros have always been popular, dating back to the earliest days. Throw on a set of chrome rims and you could cruise the boulevard with coolness on a fraction of the gas consumed by the boy racers.

Chevy went so far in the early-to-mid eighties as to bolt a four cylinder engine under the Camaro’s hood. 2.5 liter Iron Duke equipped 1982 to 1986 entry level models were the undisputed Camaro gas mileage champs of all time (never mind their overly underwhelming performance).

Gas mileage ratings peaked with the 1983 2.5 liter five-speed manual Camaro at a remarkable 42 miles per gallon highway. (Most likely on a long steep downhill run with a considerable tailwind while drafting a tractor trailer under optimal humidity, temperature, and time/space vortex.)

Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t be so harsh.

I can only speak from personal experience with one of these beasts.

MPG-o-Trivia: There was an Iron Duke 82 Camaro sitting in our driveway twenty-five years ago. I’m not going to doubt the official gas mileage figures, because I don’t recall that the car had difficulty hitting the stated numbers … but I distinctly recall that it had a tough time getting out of its own way, (putting it in the nicest possible terms). Time Magazine brazenly called the 1982 Camaro Iron Duke one of the 50 Worst Cars of All Time. (Hey, it wasn’t that bad. It was solidly built, but pokey.)

So what does this portend for the possibility of a fuel-efficient high-performance 2010 Camaro? Will the 260 horsepower turbo four from the Cobalt SS find its way under the new Camaro’s hood? Or should we go for broke and pin our hopes on GM’s new compact European V6 turbo diesel with an estimated 250 horsepower and 400 foot pounds of torque?

Chevrolet Camaro Gas Mileage: 1978-2002

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