After more than six months of hype, both from GM and the media (ourselves included), the 5th gen Camaro convertible is finally making its way into the hands of journalists, and Motor Trend is first-to-web with their review. Surprisingly, author Scott Evans says that subtracting the hard top actually makes the Camaro a better car:

“…the convertible takes everything good about the Camaro and amplifies it. It looks better, sounds better, and is a better car to drive, all of which is directly attributable to the new hat.”

Per the article, one of the biggest complaints with the original 5th gen design, a lack of outward visibility, is improved, and not just when the top is down. “Over your shoulders, the deletion of the thick B-pillars makes lane changes a far less panic-inducing endeavor. Rear-seat passengers will appreciate that the quarter windows even roll down now.”

M/T reports that the top drops in approximately 16 seconds, goes back up in 25, and reduces trunk volume from 11.3 cubic feet in the fixed-roof version to 10.2 with it up in the ragtop and just 7.9 with it folded. But then again, nobody cares about trunk space in a Camaro, do they? The important numbers here are added weight (253 pounds) and reduced performance (4.9 seconds to 60, 0.2 slower than the hardtop, 13.2 at 109.2 compared to 13.1 at 110.8, and 0.89 on the skidpad instead of 0.93).

Most buyers who choose the ‘vert will be happy to make that tradeoff for the top-down driving experience, and M/T reports that the new 5th gen convertible is a far more composed car than previous roofless F-bodies, which isn’t really saying all that much if you’ve ever driven an older one over train tracks. Still, we’re sure that GM will sell every one they can make, and keep public interest in the new Camaro high until the Z/28 hits.