So we got a manual 2010 Chevy Camaro SS

The General’s good men sprung a surprise on me this weekend when they offered me a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS for a test-drive, after a last-minute cancellation by some other hack. The bigger surprise came when the car was home-delivered, because when I stepped in, it had three pedals. Indeed it was the manual Camaro SS with the 426 hp 6.2-litre V8. Rarely do I get overexcited about cars nowadays, but…AAWOOOGAAA!!!

The surprises never end with this car though. As soon as I put the car in first gear, I almost stalled the car, before lurching forward like a jackassrabbit on fire. But more on that later. This is only a preview.

Compared to the V6 we tested earlier, the fully-optioned Camaro SS comes with HID headlights and BMW-style halo LEDs, larger alloy wheels, fake bonnet vent and all sorts of other upgrades.

Obvious styling cues from the rear are the larger exhaust tips, lip spoiler, chrome lamp lining and SS badges.

Poking through the 20-inch alloys are Brembo calipers front and rear, clamping on to vented discs.

Indeed, the Camaro stands out no matter where it is parked. The only issue is that parking takes a lot of planning to make sure one can open the huge doors.

The most noticeable bits of the interior are the big ball shifter, the overkill of gauges and the clutch pedal.

The leather seats are the only premium bits of the interior. Everything else is decidedly low-rent, with hard cabin plastics and limited tech features. And those front A-pillars are blindingly thick.

Talking about rear seating would be a waste of time, but the rear seatback does fold down to increase boot space. Pulling it down requires crawling back there though.

The cargo area is very long but relatively shallow, while the opening is decidedly small. The netting is a practical touch though.

A manual Camaro SS is not the kind of car that you buy to take to work every day. It is certainly possible to do that once your left leg gets accustomed, but the lack of practicality in other areas make this Chevy more of a second car to toy with when feeling suicidal. Because this car is an absolute nuclear weapon. More in the full review.