No. Doubt. Here. This is a Chevrolet Camaro. Only true bowtie believers (and maybe Bumblebee) will peg it as the new sixth generation at first glance. The very familiar silhouette is slightly smaller now. Every panel is new. (ON CAMERA) But really, the big news is, under all this, Camaro now shares an architecture with Cadillac ATS. And if you haven’t heard, that is a very good thing. Solid as an ingot, some 70 percent of the architectural components are unique to Camaro. The V6 model is nearly 300 pounds lighter now. The cabin with signature narrow windows might be hard to see out of, but the design and materials look so much better now. These are not just trim rings, very clever. A backup camera is standard. Good thing. And yes, I am driving the 335 horsepower 6 (284 lb-ft of torque) (SOUND UP) not the 455 horse V8 or the turbocharged four-cylinder with 275 ponies (SOUND UP) whatever the engine choose between a 6-speed manual or this 8-speed automatic. Want drive modes? There ya go. (ON CAMERA) If you’re feeling sad that you can’t afford the V8, don’t (SOUND UP) Hitting 60 will take a tick over 5 seconds. Yes, the bigger engine pushes harder but I have to wonder how the extra weight in the nose affects handling. The six is nuanced and tenacious in turns without a punishing ride. (ON CAMERA) For those who aren’t paying attention, General Motors is doing great things with chassis tuning. Camaro is just tons of fun to toss into a corner. It’s as compelling as anything from overseas, no “for a Chevy” excuses needed. If the handling doesn’t make you grin, available configurable gauges will graphically display why you should. There’s also info on the head up display. Even without available Brembo brakes (SOUND UP) the binders do a decent job (SOUND UP) (ON CAMERA) I don’t know what the V8 sounds like but the 6… (SOUND UP) not bad. Tune the optional dual mode exhaust note from full on Fast and Furious mode to a quieter “stealth” stetting. Where’s the fun in that? Now, about the gun slit glass… (ON CAMERA) As you might imagine, Camaro’s visibility, not exactly panoramic. The rearward blind spot? About the size of Texas. The V6 might be Goldilocks’ choice. It’s the only engine specified to run on standard grade gas and averages just two miles-per-gallon less than the turbo four. Well optioned with the RS package, this one retails for about $41,440. Don’t skip the $2,800 convenience package that adds the configurable gauge and head up display, heated wheel, wireless phone charging, safety kit like much needed blind spot warning, and accent lighting that’s not just a gimmick, it transforms the space. The sills are like billboards. (ON CAMERA) Whatever you do don’t try to sell Camaro to your significant other as a practical vehicle. You’ll only look desperate. Or stupid. Seating is capped at two, no cup holders. Even small kids will grouse about legroom. (ON CAMERA) If you need a lot of cargo space that’s easy to access, there are always minivans and crossovers aren’t there. No need for a split here, who’s going to use the back seat. These eliminate the usual arms that crush cargo but the opening has the all functionality of a mail slot. Maneuvering large suitcases through it won’t be fun. Just like the Cadillac ATS coupe, it manages four packs. Drawn up in Jessica Rabbit curves, the intense muscle car lines may cause import worshipers to dismiss Camaro on design alone. Their loss (SOUND UP) It’s bad, in a very good way. Full of fun and finesse, Camaro is a performance bargain, proving that stereotyping is never smart.