Rides - Chevy Camaro V6 Gets Horsepower Bump for 2012

In a new world, with tough fuel economy regulations and emissions requirements, can the horsepower wars continue?

Sure. They’ll just be fought in the smaller engine arena, too.

Case in point: the muscle cars. When the V6 edition of the 2010 Chevy Camaro showed up with 304 horsepower, Ford built a V6 Mustang with 305. One more. These fights are that personal.

Chevy’s been in the gym getting ready, apparently. The 2012 edition of the V6 Camaro, we’re told, will make a full 330 horsepower. From a V6. The first race-ready Camaro Z28, in 1967, got 290 from its V8…and the world shook at its power.

How do you get to 330 with two fewer cylinders? Direct injection. Variable valve timing. Bigger heads. Bigger exhaust valves, new intake manifold and a new ECM.

Now, a grain of salt — this information comes from the enthusiasts at the forum site Camaro5, not from GM. But they have a decent track record, and none of it is absurd, so we tend to think they may be right.