Send this page to a friend!
Fill in the form bellow

news

Chevrolet premiering Camaro convertible in LA

Chevrolet is premiering at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show the convertible version of its 2011 Camaro. With production scheduled to start in January, the Camaro convertible will arrive to the showrooms in February. The new Camaro features an enhanced body structure and well-tailored top mechanism, combining sports coupe-like driving fun and precise quality.

As it happens with the Camaro coupe, the convertible version will be offered in LT and SS configurations. The standard model will be powered by a 312-horsepower direct injection V-6 engine, while the SS model will feature the 6.2L V-8 engine. Both engines will be matted with a six-speed manual transmission as standard and will also have an optional six-speed automatic available.

“The launch of the new convertible opens Camaro design and performance to a new set of potential customers,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The 21st century revival of Camaro is tremendously popular, so it’s a natural to now expand and elevate the product range in new directions.”

Chevrolet has delivered top that has a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that retains the sleek roofline of the coupe. While developing it engineers and designers tried to eliminate the common appearance of convertible top support ribs by using composite knuckles rather than aluminum ones, as well as extending the top material below the belt line and revising the top’s stitch lines.

In order to provide a quiet, coupe-like ride when the top is up, the top is made of thick, durable canvas and it features acoustical headliner material.

The Chevrolet Camaro Generations since 1966

The Chevrolet Camaro first went on sale in 1966 to compete on the market with the Ford Mustang. It was built on the same platform as the 1967 Pontiac Firebird. It is categorized as pony car, some versions though also as muscle cars. Since its introduction in the 1960s, the Camaro has been marketed through five generations, the latest being launched for the 2010 model year.

1967 Chevrolet Camaro

The first-generation Camaro was available as a 2-door, 2+2 seating, coupe or convertible with a choice of several V8 engines. It was conceived to challenge the Ford Mustang in the muscle car segment and this first-generation was produced until 1969. It recently provided the inspiration for the 2010 Camaro design.

1970 Chevrolet Camaro

The second generation Camaro was manufactured from 1970 until 1981. It was reviewed in 1974 and 1978 but as it was based on the same platform, the model showed strong similarities with the first generation. In 1971 the Road & Track magazine elected it as one of the 10 best cars in the world.

1982 Chevrolet Camaro

The third generation of the Camaro was introduced in 1982 and lasted until 1992. For the first time the model featured modern fuel injection, Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 four-speed automatic transmissions, five speed manual transmissions, 16 inch wheels, a standard 4-cylinder engine and hatchback bodies.

Chevrolet Camaro

The fourth-generation Camaro was launched in 1993 as coupe body style with 2+2 seating or convertible with rear-wheel drive, and a choice of V6 and V8 engines. In 1997/1998 the model received updates on the interior and exterior. After 35 years the Camaro ceased production in 2002, due to declining sales.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

After being dropped from the Chevrolet portfolio in 2002, the Camaro model was revived with a fifth generation in 2009. The new series was preceded by a Camaro Concept in 2006 which eventually lead to the coupe version of the 2010 Camaro going on sale in 2009. For the 2011 model year, a convertible version became available too. Both body variants reached the European markets in 2011.