Wednesday 17th November 2010

New Camaro Convertible Drops In

Camaro coupe loses its roof at the LA Auto Show

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Chevrolet has accompanied the unveil of its Camaro convertible with the release of a potentially surprising factoid. The new model apparently boasts better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3-Series convertible.

Whether the new Camaro convertible betters the 3-Series in any other meaningful ways hasn't been declared. Unlikely as that proposition may seem, we should be able to find out next year when the first 'official/factory' Camaro imports to the UK (rock and?) roll off the boat.

The convertible will be offered in similar model configurations to the Camaro coupe, so the standard model will have a 312hp direct injection V6 engine. The SS model will feature the 6.2L V8 producing 426hp, and a six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.

Priced from $30k in the US, the Camaro's architecture was designed from the outset to accommodate a convertible model, says the maker. Strategic reinforcements include a suspension mount brace under the bonnet, a transmission support reinforcement brace, underbody tunnel brace, and front and rear underbody "V" braces. There's no mention of how the changes affect weight in the official press release.

There's also a hydroformed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.

It's those structural changes to the Camaro convertible body that give it superior bending and torsional stiffness than its closest competitor, and better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3-Series convertible, they say. The powered fabric top retracts in about 20 seconds.

 

[vetteheadracer]

I like that!

[kambites]

Looks nice with the roof down. I'm not convinced of the rear 3/4 view with the roof up.

[anonymous-user]

A better way to smell the tyre smoke!!

[chevy-stu]

It is nice as a convertible, though I'm sure I saw one at The London Motor show last year, might have a been a prototype though..

(wish they'd stop doing the 3-series comparisons.. )

[pmanson]

Fantastic...

[kambites]

chevy-stu said:

(wish they'd stop doing the 3-series comparisons.. )

Realistically it's what they have to compete with if they want them to sell in Europe in significant numbers.

[The real Apache]

My first instict is to dismiss it as yet another overweight large and unsubtle lump.....but, such are modern safety requirements I guess svelte beauties like this



are now a thing of the past.....and the reason why old Yank muscle cars are so desirable

[em177]

With a v8 and a manual box, that would be awesome fun

[M666 EVO]

I do like that

Bet it handles like a fat bloke on a lilo though!

[Dagnut]

You'll never being going 10/10ths in a drop top anyway so it makes perfect sense, V8 rumble, 420 bhp. No complaints. I hope a few get picked up for rentals.

[kambites]

I don't suppose there's any chance of a RHD version?

[LuS1fer]

It's a million times better looking than...er...what was the other car you mentioned?

Far better looking than the coupe (unusally) without the turret vision.

When were convertibles (as opposed to sports cars) ever about handling anyway and didn't TG slag off the DB9 Volante for being too stiff?

[MitchT]

The leather-coloured door cards don't continue into the back - looks like the interior isn't quite finished! Still, I wouldn't care if I was cruising the PCH in it

[daz4m]

Hope the US rental companys start renting these.

[havoc]

The real Apache said:

My first instict is to dismiss it as yet another overweight large and unsubtle lump.....but, such are modern safety requirements I guess svelte beauties like this



are now a thing of the past.....and the reason why old Yank muscle cars are so desirable

Looking at that car I'd wager the only 'safety requirements' that couldn't be engineered into a car looking just like that are A-pillar strength and pedestrian-impact.

The rest of the new car design is just a "modern" (sic) pastiche of the old one, done by people who work in 3D CAD rather than true 3D, and therefore have less appreciation of form and flow than the old designers. Oh, and this current obsession with "masculinity" in cars.
- Look at the image of that '68 Camaro and you see graceful, almost feminine lines yet with the muscle quite clearly visible underneath;
- Look at the 2010 Camaro and you see hard edges, weight and aggression.

[kambites]

You could deal with pedestrian impact safety on that design with a pop-up bonnet and some carefully placed soft bits on the leading edges, I'd imagine.

[LuS1fer]

Won't look as good with these crap rear lights though:

[kambites]

Yuck, that rear end is pretty terrible.

[LuS1fer]

havoc said:

The real Apache said:

My first instict is to dismiss it as yet another overweight large and unsubtle lump.....but, such are modern safety requirements I guess svelte beauties like this



are now a thing of the past.....and the reason why old Yank muscle cars are so desirable

Looking at that car I'd wager the only 'safety requirements' that couldn't be engineered into a car looking just like that are A-pillar strength and pedestrian-impact.

The rest of the new car design is just a "modern" (sic) pastiche of the old one, done by people who work in 3D CAD rather than true 3D, and therefore have less appreciation of form and flow than the old designers. Oh, and this current obsession with "masculinity" in cars.
- Look at the image of that '68 Camaro and you see graceful, almost feminine lines yet with the muscle quite clearly visible underneath;
- Look at the 2010 Camaro and you see hard edges, weight and aggression.

But that's modern design generally. The Mustang isn't a million miles away.

[timewatch]

Quote*
"we should be able to find out next year when the first 'official/factory' Camaro imports to the UK (rock and?) roll off the boat."

But our economy is supposed to be fked!!!!!!?????!!!!

TW>>>