That life is full of compromises holds especially true in the performance coupe world-- and the Camaro's poor outward visibility enables some head-turning looks and extremely dynamic proportions. Parked next to the Challenger, most will find the Camaro's front and rear ends more three-dimensional and 'in your face'.

All in all, the old-fashioned muscle-car recipe remains.

Expect approving nods, thumbs-up and plenty of gawking passers-by as you make your way through the day. Opt for the yellow paint, and most youngsters will point and say 'Bumblebee'-- a reference to a character from the Transformers movie.

All in all, the old-fashioned muscle-car recipe remains-- but the latest Camaro hits the scene with a modern flare intended to attract a new generation of customers alongside its loyal fans. Enthusiasts have been making deposits on the new model since before its pricing or styling had even been finalized.

Of course, die-hard Camaro fans would likely opt for the V8 engine, which is available with well in excess of 400 horsepower. My early-production tester made due with the entry-level engine-- namely a 3.6 litre V6 with 304 ponies.

There's a negative stigma around V6-powered muscle cars-- but remember, the new direct-injected V6 cranks out more sauce than the V8 engine in the last-generation car.

It's a pleasant surprise. The V6 makes a nice sound when pushed, revs eagerly, and gets the Camaro moving along in what'll prove a more than adequate hurry for most.

The tester got a six-speed automatic with a paddle-shift mode that's responsive, enjoyable and rewarding to use. Quick upshifts and blipped-downshifts are always at the ready. After a 6 hour drive, I found no issues to note in the powertrain department.

Ditto the ride. Even wearing optional 20-inch wheels, the RS-equipped tester tracked smoothly over highways at speeds beyond 120 km/h. Traveling over potholes and other anomalies in the roads surface elicited no teeth gritting or questionable sounds from beneath the floor-pan, either.

The new direct-injected V6 cranks out more sauce than the V8 engine in the last-generation car.