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The rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet Camaro looks new and it is, but it was built from existing hardware, starting with the chassis architecture of the impressive Pontiac G8. Its chief engineer, a true-blue car guy, had three instructions, to make it: 1. drop dead gorgeous; 2. high performance; and 3. affordable. The Camaro succeeds on all three counts and is a breath of fresh air for GM.

We found the handling, ride, and brakes exceptional. The styling is stupendous. Inside, the instrumentation slips back into GM's too-hard-too-break habit of trying too hard to be clever with gauges.

The Chevy Camaro LS and LT models use a potent and sweet-sounding Cadillac V6 that makes 304 horsepower, with a six-speed manual transmission standard and six-speed automatic (with semi-manual shifting) optional.

The Chevrolet Camaro SS has the killer V8, a 6.2-liter Corvette engine making 400 horsepower with the optional six-speed manual automatic, or 426 horsepower with the standard six-speed manual. It uses the same suspension design with firmer shocks, springs, and anti-roll bars, producing the same result under more demanding circumstances: great handling, great ride.

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The Chevrolet Camaro LS ($22,245) comes with the 3.6-liter V6. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic with manual shifting is optional. Not a bare-bones model, the LS is fully power equipped, including cruise control, telescopic steering-wheel, six-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 sound system, OnStar Safe & Sound plan for one year, limited-slip differential, and 18-inch steel wheels. (Prices are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices and do not include the $795 destination charge.)

The Camaro LT ($23,880) upgrades with leather upholstery with six-way power reclining driver's seat; foglamps and integral front fascia; and 18-inch painted aluminum wheels; and OnStar Directions & Connections plan, offering turn-by-turn route instructions, both verbal and visual.

The Chevy Camaro SS ($30,245) features the 6.2-liter V8 with a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual gearbox. The SS has special exterior trim, a beefier suspension, 20-inch painted aluminum wheels, and four-piston Brembo disc brakes.

Option packages LT2 ($2,700) and SS2 ($3,185) include heated mirrors and seats, nine-speaker, 245-watt audio system, Bluetooth and USB port, leather shift knob and steering-wheel with audio controls, remote starting, and console mounted gauges including oil temp and pressure, volts and transmission fluid temp; the LT2 package also includes 19-inch painted aluminum wheels. A sunroof ($900) is optional. Also available are 20-inch painted aluminum wheels and an RS appearance package.

Safety equipment on all Camaros includes electronic stability control with traction control, anti-lock brakes, frontal airbags, front side airbags, airbag curtains, and tire pressure monitor.