The challenge: Drive a fun, fuel-efficient car.

Yes, I will take that one up, thank you very much.

General Motors has a lineup of fun, fuel-efficient cars (under 7L/100km); notably, the Pontiac Vibe, Chevy Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac Solstice. Any one of these was my expected test drive; surprisingly, GM provided me with the long anticipated 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. I was thrilled; however, fuel-efficient sentimentality became an afterthought.

Pedal to the floor; zero to 60 in six seconds; ignoring posted speed limits: These actions do not correspond with the fuel consumption reduction tips (or reasonable behaviour, for that matter). Smartly, GM is harmonizing my power-trumps-non-polluting temptation with its latest advanced technology: direct injected (DI) engines. DI engines use less fuel, provide more power, and produce fewer emissions. Transport Canada highway fuel consumption for the sports car is 6.9L/100km. Thus, you won’t have to relinquish the Camaro’s 3.6L V-6 engine — producing a healthy 304 horsepower with 273 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 r.p.m. — for a hybrid.

Despite the advancement in technology, the new Camaro stays true to its iconic roots. Paying homage to heritage, the 2010 design is very close to the original concept of the first generation Camaro, produced from 1967 through 1969. The retro influence becomes overwhelmingly apparent when I step inside. The interior design is simple, with deeply recessed gauges and graphics. Despite the basic appearance, Camaro comes standard with such modern amenities as MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity, XM satellite radio, and a CD player. A Boston Acoustics nine-speaker sound system is also an option.

The exterior, like that of its ancestor, is stunning. Only available in the two-door coupe, the Camaro is a man-magnet with a broad haunch-like rear fender, giving it a decent sized booty. (A convertible concept has been shown and, rumour has it, it will be available within the year.) While you may not yet have the choice in style, you certainly will with colour. The Camaro is available in 10 exterior colours; most notably, bumble bee yellow. Thankfully, my tester was a classic imperial blue metallic, making me less noticeable in speed traps.

Overall, the 2010 Camaro is a very solid vehicle, with excellent economy, affordability, and a whole lot of torque.

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Tips for making your vehicle a little more fuel-efficient:

Even with the Camaro’s DI engine, increasing torque does not, by definition, lend itself to fuel-efficiency. Here are some things you can do to reduce fuel consumption. (Note: Waiting until your gas gauge falls below the empty line and seeing how long your vehicle will continue to run does not constitute fuel-efficiency.)

1. Plan your trips. Making short trips of less than 5 km consumes unnecessarily large amounts of fuel.

2. Obvious but true: Observe speed limits.

3. Accelerate evenly. A heavy foot means bad gas mileage. The car’s engine has to work harder than necessary to get the required energy to quickly get up to speed; thus, burning more gasoline. However, you also don’t want to accelerate so slowly that you bog down the engine; this will also reduce gas mileage.

4. Drive smoothly. Conserve your car’s momentum by observing road and traffic conditions and by maintaining a reasonable distance from the vehicle ahead. It takes up to six times more gas to move a car from a complete stop than it does if the car has momentum.

5. Limit the use of accessories. For example, air conditioners are efficient on the highway but they can increase your fuel consumption by up to 12 percent in stop-and-go traffic.

6. Don’t carry more than you need. If your trunk resembles a pack rat’s domain, clean it! Every 100 lb. of extra weight consumes 1 percent more fuel.

7. Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained. A poorly maintained vehicle typically consumes up to 15 percent more fuel than a properly maintained one. Regular oil changes, filter and spark plug replacements, and cleaning of your fuel injectors all help.

8. Check your tire pressure regularly. Ensuring your tires are inflated to the proper pressure can improve your fuel consumption by as much as 5 percent. Most GM vehicles are equipped with built-in tire pressure monitors.

9. Do not idle unnecessarily. One minute of idling uses more fuel than re-starting your engine. Even at -18°C, most cars only require 15 to 30 seconds of idling before being driven. The engine and drivetrain warm up better when your car is in motion. However, drive gently until they are warm.

10. Replace your car’s dirty air filter. Driving around with a dirty or clogged air filter can reduce your vehicle’s gas mileage by up to 10 percent.

Angela Trimmer is the Women's Post automotive editor.