If youre a US maker in trouble, what you need is a Euro – spec soft top to boost sales

If our understanding of engineering is anything to go by, removing a cars roof tends to make the driving experience a bit… fluctuant. Especially if its enormous and American. But the new Euro – spec rag – top Camaros confounded us – it handles beautifully.

Which is probably because its not a dollar – driven afterthought. The convertible was designed alongside the tin – top, so a lot of the bracings been massaged into the shell, not bolted on later – that keeps weight down, closing the dynamic gap between the vert and coupe. But at 1,920kg its still very ponderous.

Wrestling the mass are two engines, both 6.2 – litrc V8s. Theres a 432bhp LS3 that comes with a six – speed manual box and a 405bhp 1,99 with a six – speed auto.

Theyre quick enough, but both struggle to feel as fun as the numbers suggest. Theyre thirsty, too – despite the L99s Active Fuel Management system, it only manages 22mpg. They make a pretty noise, though, which you get a lot more of in the scalped version.

So far, so muscle car. But it gets interesting imdemcath – instead of a leaf sprung/live axle rear end, theres an independent set – up with Euro – only stiffened dampers and a pair of repositioned and reshaped anti – roll bars. Which means it does the unthinkable – it corners. Like a proper sports car.

Its not exactly unruffled, but body rolls minimal and its GT – like in its compliance on the open road.

There is, however, a problem. The auto costs ?41,495, which seems offensively pricey for something that trades on affordable fun. It gets worse when you notice the wobbly seat stitching and frail trim – something not endemic of other Euro GM cars. Then theres the inconvenience of left – hand – drive, cramped rear legroom, dim fuel economy…

But, lets face it, buying a muscle car in the UK transcends judgement – its all about visual pheromones and cultural connotations. And, of the current overpriced, under – built crop available in the UK, at least it handles.