Performance Review: Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Camaro Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Chevrolet Camaro has a 5016cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Camaro shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Camaro's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1514 kgs (3337 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS in the same weight category as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Camaro shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 5016cc 16V V8 engine produces 170 bhp (126 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 255 lb-ft (345.7 Nm) @ 2400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Camaro you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2011 Skoda Octavia RS 2.0 Turbo (137.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Camaro.

The Chevrolet Camaro has a Power to weight ratio of 112.2 bhp per ton and 168.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 Camaro competing with the 2011 Skoda Octavia RS 2.0 Turbo (137.2 bhp per ton) or the 1986 Toyota Celica GT Four ST165 (137.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Camaro generating around 168.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Coupe (193.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (193.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.2 secs, this made the Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS as fast as the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs). This Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS is also faster than the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the and the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Camaro and the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Camaro on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.93 secs @ 80.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (16.86 secs), the 2007 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R GT - FN2 (16.87 secs), and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI Performance DSG 2.0 Turbo (16.88 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 Camaro equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1990 Camaro Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison