Camaro Convertible Release Information
Chevrolet is planning on publicly unveiling the 2011 Camaro Convertible at the LA Auto Show next month. The high profile event should provide a lot of press for the vehicle and make pre-ordering it an easy, albeit slow going, task. I imagine there will be a pretty long wait-list for a while with the vehicle as, already, its profile is pretty big.
Before the show, though, Chevrolet has released some pertinent information concerning the vehicle:
- The Camaro Convertible will arrive at dealerships in February of 2011
- The starting price for the Camaro Convertible will be $30,000
- On top of the $30,000 cost there will also be an $850 delivery charge
- The Convertible will be available in both RS and SS versions
More Z28 Spy Photos: LSA Engine Confirmed
Camaro5 did it again and got their hands on some very very incredible photos of the Z28. This time, too, they got more than your standard spy photos. The most recent set of images show the engine of the new Z28 proto-type, as well as a better look at the hood on it. There's even a bit of the read end, where it looks like some sort of modified Camaro body kit will be installed. The images look great, and show the LSA engine in all of its glory.
The LSA, is, of course, a complete and total beast. Manufactured for the CTS-V originally, the LSA is a supercharged 6.2L engine which puts out 556 HP and 551 LB-Torque. The Camaro isn't guaranteed to have the same HP and Torque numbers as the CTS-V, but they'll be similar, so that's exciting. Those sorts of numbers should make the Z28 well above its Mustang and Challenger counter-parts so far as performance is concerned. It will definitely be the best looking of the group, too.
The 6.2L Supercharged LSA 556HP Monster
A Spy of the Potential Camaro Z28 Hood from Beneath - Notice Double Heat Extractor Rows
The Camo Wrap Around the Bumper Suggests Greater Changes will Occur in That Area
Notice the Gorgeous Blue Color on this Tester. This is the first image we've seen of a Z28 not in Red. The Blue is a gorgeous medium tone, and looks great on the Camaro. Imagine that with white stripes!
Camaro Z28 Spied Again: This time in Skimpier Camoflage
The Z28 Prototypes are apparently everywhere! Another one was spied this past week, and Camaro 5 was able to get a hold of the photos. The images look awesome, as the camo on the Z28 in these images reveals a little more car than we've seen from the Z28 before. In these images the active hood scoops are very obvious. It appears that the Z28 hood will have one large front air inlet scoop and four smaller ones behind that. We imagine these are there to keep air flowing over the Supercharged engine so it runs at peak performance. In these images more of the front grilles is visible than before, and they look mean. One of the bigger changes visible in these images is the front lip spoiler. It appears to be an all carbon-fiber front air dam, which extends pretty aggressively far outwards from the bumper. I imagine the large, aggressive, styling is purposefully done for an increased net downforce. The last obviously visible change are the 20-inch 5-spoke wheels. The gunmetal black on them is gorgeous, and the Goodyear Eagles wrapping them are premiere tires. Behind the wheels, the brakes appear to be identical to those used on the CTS-V. I'm curious as to the head-light design, because they've been very purposeful about covering them up thus far. It appears they're arranged differently behind that screen, but ultimately how, I don't know. I imagine they're probably HIDs, which would be a very nice touch. Hopefully we'll see more revealed about this Camaro Z28 build as time continues, and I can not wait to see the first ones hit dealerships.
Camaro to be Well Represented in Fireball Run 2010
The Fireball Run is a 9 day, 3500 mile, multi-car race that finds itself in multiple different cities. It's an interesting concept which mixes rally, race, and other games together for a wild final product. The Fireball Run isn't just fun and games either. The event takes place for a great cause, moving across the country and working to bring home lost and missing children. If that's not a good cause, I don't know what is.
Chevrolet realized this, and they're jumping in to support the cause. Working together with High Gear Media, Chevy is entering a custom 2010 Camaro SS in to the Fireball Run. Throughout the event, too, there will be regular updates from the Camaro team, showing their support for the cause and detailing the events they're taking place in.
Other people are entering their own Camaros, also. Outside from Chevrolet's support, a number of Camaros have joined the cause. One of them, the affectionately titled Veteran Camaro, is being supported by Universal Studios in their run. The Camaro, which is painted as the American Flag, is an unmistakable vehicle, and should garner a lot of attention along the way. Here's to wishing all of the competitors, and especially the Camaros, the best of luck in this years Fireball Run and hoping that they help to bring home dozens of missing children.
Corvette Museum To Become A Little More Inclusive: Camaro Exhibit On The Way
The National Corvette Museum, which is exactly what it sounds like, may have to change its name. The museum has always been a highlight for 'Vette lovers around the country, and now it's carving out a little niche for us Camaro-heads. Beginning in October, the NCM will have a new Camaro exhibit, which will be highlighted by 12 of the most famous and beautiful Camaros on the planet, from various different owners. The list includes, but is not limited to:
The 2009 Bumblebee Camaro from Transformers
Papa John's 1972 Delivery Camaro
Kenny Perry's 1969 Camaro, with 505HP Z06 LS7
2010 Dale Earnhardt Hall of Fame Custom Camaro
A 1987 1LE Prototype
1989 1LE Original Production Camaro
The 2010 Indy 500 Camaro Pace Car
Other undoubtedly famous and beautiful Camaro iterations.
If you've never been to the NCM, you're missing out, as it's a great way to spend a day checking out some of America's greatest vehicles ever made. With the new Camaro exhibit, it can only get better, so October is as good a time as any to head out to Bowling Green and check it out.
If you want to have a really great time, you could head out there on October 23rd for the Camaro-Firebird Classic. The event, which will cost $50, includes museum access, autocross races, drag races, a car show, a poker run, and a BBQ Lunch. All of those things should combine to make it a fantastic event.
Images of some of the Camaros that will be there are located below:
Stevenson Camaros Take 1st and 2nd at Final Grand-Am GT Race of Year
The Stevenson Camaro racing team had slowly improved all season. Race by race their performances improved, including a couple top 3 finishes and a pole in early races. All season though, a victory had eluded the premiere Camaro racing team. All season, until Saturday that is. On Saturday, 9/11, Stevenson Camaro showed just how much promise the 5th Generation Camaro has a racing-performance car by taking both 1st and 2nd place at the Grand-Am Rolex Utah Race.
Taking first is always impressive and taking second is never something to scoff at, but for a team to take both first and second with two of the same car, that's simply incredible. A great high-note to end the Grand-Am GT season, and a huge boost for the Stevenson Camaro team looking forward to next year's race season. Congrats Stevenson and congrats Camaro, this is a great sign of things to come.
SpeedTV even posted the last lap of the race online, so you can watch these two Stevenson Camaros in all of their glory:
Eric Berry Camaro and More Z28 Test Photos
The first bit of news concerns the twin-supercharged 1200 HP Camaro that Eric Berry, the new Kansas City safety out of Tennessee, had built for himself. When originally selected by the Chiefs, Berry was ushered to a press conference. There he was asked what he wanted to do. His response was, very coolly, "I really just want to get the 2010 Camaro. I love Chevy." Now, I imagine Eric was probably paid a little something to say this, but he later rang true on this promise. Eric recently received his own custom, $139,000 Camaro, to add him to the growing list of celebrities driving around in America's favorite muscle car. And now, you too can have an Eric Berry Camaro for just $139,000. At his newly created website, www.eb29.com, Eric Berry goes in to great detail about what it took to create his custom Camaro from start to finish, and the process is pretty impressive. At the end of the Camaro page, he is asked why he loves Camaros, and writes:
"On the field, I like for my game to speak for itself. I think Camaros and I share similar qualities...they are fast, powerful, stylish and tough without trying too hard. That's my style. I've always loved Camaros and I'm excited to be a part of this project with National Speed, Inc. I'm especially proud that proceeds from the sale of the NZ-1200EB will benefit my foundation so that kids can have safe places to play and compete. Check back for progress on the NZ1200-EB, I'm excited to show you the finished product."
So see, you can put some $$ in Eric's pockets and help the kids at the same time! In all honesty, Eric's Camaro is pretty awesome and worth a look.
Moving past that, a Camaro5 Forum member recently found himself the beneficiary of a "right place, right time" situation when, driving through the streets of Coronado, he came across a pack of Camaro test mules. Leading the pack were two Z28 mules with camo hoods that appear to be hiding some sort of massive hood cowl. The vehicles look great (as is to be expected) and definitely do a good job of showing off how great the Camaro can look. I just can't wait until the Z28 is out and available to the public.
Camaro Gets Sales Revenge on the Mustang
Well, the Mustang sales incentives for the 2010 models are dwindling, and the Camaro not only reclaimed it's spot at the top of the sales heap, and it did so with bravado. Last month Mustang outpaced the Camaro in sales by a grand total of 3 units. That was the third month in a row (and, only the third month period since the Camaro release) that the Mustang had outsold the Chevroley monster. A total of 3 units is a small small victory. A total of 751 units is a large victory though, and that's the margin by which the Camaro outsold the Mustang in August.
Chevrolet had official sales numbers of 6,321 Camaros. Of course, they produced 10,252 units in August, which means they're preparing for the more busy months ahead with the 2011 gaining reputation quickly as an improvement on the unanimous best new car on the road. Ford did move an impressive 5,570 units in August though. This number was a 26% drop off from the month prior, but was still solid for the generally slow month of August. In all, this is great news for both Ford and Chevrolet and speaks highly of the product being built and sold by these American Automotive companies right now. Hopefully, they'll continue to innovate and excite with their work in to the near future.