The return of an icon – the new Camaro
General Motors have unveiled the production version of the much anticipated new Chevrolet Camaro that is due to go on sale in North American next year.
In Melbourne, the Australian-based designers and engineers involved in the new heritage-inspired coupe held their own reveal event at GM Holden’s headquarters in Port Melbourne, giving a first glimpse of the iconic sports car that underwent much of its development and testing on Australian roads.
The new Camaro exemplifies GM’s global development process with the design concept originating in the United States; engineering directed by GM’s global rear-wheel-drive team in Australia; validation conducted on roads around the world; and assembly to take place in Canada.
The new Chevrolet Camaro combines great looks and performance; advanced technology and surprising efficiency. Details such as frameless door windows contribute to the overall feeling of quality, substance and technical prowess. A well-executed balance of heritage, modern design and attention to detail also characterises the Camaro’s interior. A pair of deeply recessed instrument binnacles that feature round gauges in square housings gives a nod to classic Camaro.
Large, chrome-trimmed controls, low-gloss surfaces and premium fabric or acrylic appliqués convey a richness that is unprecedented in previous Camaro models – and challenge its contemporary competitors.
Advanced powertrain technologies, including engines with direct injection and Active Fuel Management, give the vehicle a balance of exhilarating performance and good fuel economy.
Under the bonnet of the new Camaro is an advanced, efficient 3.6L direct-injected V-6 with variable valve timing which is standard on LS and LT models. Direct injection technology helps the engine deliver more power through increased efficiency, while maintaining fuel economy and lowering hydrocarbon emissions.
The high-performance Camaro SS is equipped with a powerful 6.2L V-8, with a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Standard manual transmission-equipped models receive the LS3 engine, which uses high-flow cylinder heads based on the Corvette Z06’s LS7 engine enabling great low-torque and high-rpm power.
A new L99 V-8 engine is used on automatic transmission-equipped SS models. This is based on the LS3 and carries all of its high-performance design features, but also includes GM’s fuel-saving Active Fuel Management feature. This enables the engine to run on only four cylinders during light-load driving conditions, such as highway cruising, to improve fuel economy.
Sales being in North America in the first quarter of 2009.
