1982 Camaro: the Return of the Iron Duke?
No, not the Duke of Wellington and not a pro wrestler. When GM unveiled its 2010 Chevrolet Camaro to the media on Monday, it made much of the car's purported fuel economy: 26 mpg on the highway with a 3.6-liter, 300-hp V6 and 23 mpg from its 400-plus-hp 6.2-liter V8. Informed speculation has it that the car may also be fitted with an even thriftier turbocharged four-cylinder. Ouch. Offf! Argh... A four cylinder?
This recalls another four-banger pony car, the 1982 Camaro fitted with the infamous Iron Duke engine, a 2.5-liter, 90-hp inline four bolted to a three-speed manual. Produced at the nadir of American performance, when fast-looking cars were made to suffer with wheezy, limp engines, the Camaro Iron Duke sauntered to 60 mph in an astonishing 20 seconds.
A car so bad it made my "Top 50 Worst Cars of All Time."
Now, obviously, engine technology has come a long way since 1982, and a turbocharged four-cylinder Camaro would likely beat the skinny jeans off a V8-powered Camaro of just a few years ago.
And yet, lest we forget...
Dan, hate to break it to you, but the world has changed since 1982. As such, the I4 proposed for the Camaro makes 260 hp. That would be significantly more powerful than the Mustang's V6. It wouldn't be particularly quick, but its more than powerful enough to be competent.
Posted by: Tyler | July 22, 2008 at 07:20 PM
I BELIEVE THE WORLD IS READY FOR A 4BANGER CAMARO...AS A CURRENT OWNER OF A 01 CAMARO SS I WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE THE OPTION OF BETTER M.P.G. ITS A DIFFERENT ERA AND TIME OF 4+ PER GAL......
Posted by: ed | July 23, 2008 at 08:32 PM
The Iron Duke Produced like 90Hp...
I don't know what it was about that Engine, but it was very reliable..
It was b no means a speed engine.. It would not win any races. I can say one thing though..
A 1984 Pontiac Firebird with the Iron Duke Has no problem pulling an 18 Foot Fiberglass Bass boat.
That engine did not mind being loaded down...
It would run slow but would take the abuse... :)
I know Firebirds, Camaro and etc should be fast but I can vouch the Iron Duke can take a beating!
Posted by: Slinkeey | July 29, 2008 at 08:52 PM
The Iron Duke Produced like 90Hp...
I don't know what it was about that Engine, but it was very reliable..
It was b no means a speed engine.. It would not win any races. I can say one thing though..
A 1984 Pontiac Firebird with the Iron Duke Has no problem pulling an 18 Foot Fiberglass Bass boat.
That engine did not mind being loaded down...
It would run slow but would take the abuse... :)
I know Firebirds, Camaro and etc should be fast but I can vouch the Iron Duke can take a beating!
Posted by: Slinkeey | July 29, 2008 at 08:52 PM