General Motors finally dropped official pictures and details of the Camaro Convertible before the car takes the stage by storm at the L.A. autoshow. The first thing that caught our eyes reading GM’s press release was this sentence: “Better torsional stiffness than BMW 3-Series convertible”. If that’s true then it should handle just as good, but does it?
I mean we know the hardtop version doesn’t, so how on earth they managed to make the drop-top stiffer than that we have no idea. We just hope they’re for real, becasue we love this car and if it drives properly then so much the better!
Of course you can’t have it on your Christmas wish list becasue it won’t go on sale until February 2011.
Chevrolet says they have made a well-tailored fabric top which has only one single latch so it’s easy to operate, and also comes with acoustical headliner for quietness. It also incorporates a glass rear window and rear window defogger.
The power-folding top retracts in about 20 seconds. It is built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette convertible top, and operates in a similar manner. That means it folds in a simple “Z” pattern and latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Once the roof is down, it’s concealed by one-piece tonneau cover that is standard on 2LT and 2SS models and optional on 1LT/1SS. The wind deflector is an optional extra.
The convertible will be offered in similar model configurations as the Camaro coupe. The standard model will have a 312-horsepower direct injection V-6 engine delivering 29 mpg highway. The SS model will feature the 6.2L V-8 engine producing 426 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.
Camaro convertible is offered in 1LT/2LT (V-6) and 1SS/2SS (V-8) trim packages and priced from $30,000 MSRP (including $850 destination). Nine production exterior colors are available, with tops offered in black or tan. Rear parking assist is standard on all convertible models.
Chevrolet is adamant the Camaro convertible has the same dynamics as the coupe, and if anything, the refinements have made it even sportier. They mention four different fields the car is improved in, including:
- A tower-to-tower brace under the hood
- A transmission support reinforcement brace
- Underbody tunnel brace
- Front and rear underbody “V” braces.
The suspension however is not changed over the coupe, which Chevy maintains as a strength point becasue it means there’s no remarkable difference between the two in terms of dynamics.
Additional safety structural reinforcements are designed to improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also contributing to the elimination of cowl/steering wheel shake. They include a hydrofromed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.
All Camaro models can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The Aisin AY6 six-speed manual is standard with the 3.6L engine, and a Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic is optional. A Tremec TR 6060 six-speed manual is standard on the SS, and the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic is optional.
A myriad of fine details distinguish Camaro convertible models, including:
- The OnStar/XM/AM-FM radio antenna moves to the deck lid on LT models without the RS package
- The radio antenna is embedded in the rear spoiler on RS-equipped LT and SS models
- The trunk lock cylinder is moved to the rear seat area for a cleaner exterior appearance
- A new subwoofer design is located in the trunk between the rear seats.
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Technical Specs:
Overview
| Models: | Chevrolet Camaro coupe and convertible |
| Body style / driveline: | four-passenger, front-engine, rear-drive coupe and convertible |
| Construction: | unitized body frame, one- and two-sided galvanized steel |
| EPA vehicle class: | coupe |
| Manufacturing location: | Oshawa , Ontario, Canada |
| Key competitors: | Ford Mustang, Nissan 370Z |
Engines
| 3.6L V-6 DI VVT (LLT) | 6.2L V-8 (LS3, L99) | |
| Application: | LS, LT | SS |
| Type: | 3.6L V-6 | 6.2L V-8 |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 217 / 3564 | 376 / 6162 |
| Bore & stroke (in / mm): | 3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6 | 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92 |
| Block material: | cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners | cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners |
| Cylinder head material: | aluminum | aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing | overhead valve; two valves per cylinder; roller lifters; Active Fuel Management (L99) |
| Ignition system: | electronic individual coil-on-plug; individual cylinder knock control and extended-life platinum-tipped spark plugs | coil near plug ignition |
| Fuel delivery: | direct fuel injection | sequential fuel injection |
| Compression ratio: | 11.3:1 | 10.7:1 (LS3); 10.4:1 (L99) |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): |
312 / 232 @ 6400* | 426 / 318 @ 5900 (LS3)* 400 / 298 @ 5900 (L99)* |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): |
278 / 370 @ 5200* | 420 / 569 @ 4600 (LS3)* 410 / 556 @ 4300 (L99)* |
| Recommended fuel: | regular unleaded | premium recommended not required |
| Maximum engine speed (rpm): | 6700 | 6200 (L99)6600 (LS3) |
| Emissions controls: | evaporative system, close-coupled catalytic converter, equal-length exhaust, single underfloor catalytic converter, positive crankcase ventilation, intake and exhaust cam phasers, electronic throttle control | evaporative system, close-coupled catalytic converters, positive crankcase ventilation, electronic throttle control |
| EPA-estimated fuel economy (city / hwy): | 18 / 29 (auto) 17 / 29 (man) |
16 / 25 (auto) 16 / 24 (man) |
Transmissions
| Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic (LS, LT) w/ TAPshift | Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic (SS) w/ TAPshift | Aisin AY6 six-speed manual (LS, LT) | Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual (SS) | |
| Gear ratios (:1): | ||||
| First: | 4.06 | 4.03 | 4.48 | 3.01 |
| Second: | 2.37 | 2.36 | 2.58 | 2.07 |
| Third: | 1.55 | 1.53 | 1.63 | 1.43 |
| Fourth: | 1.16 | 1.15 | 1.19 | 1.00 |
| Fifth: | 0.85 | 0.85 | 1.00 | 0.84 |
| Sixth: | 0.67 | 0.67 | 0.75 | 0.57 |
| Reverse: | 3.20 | 3.06 | 3.67 | 3.28 |
| Final drive ratio: | 3.27 | 3.27 | 3.27 | 3.45 |
Chassis / Suspension
| Front: | double-ball-joint, multi-link strut; direct-acting stabilizer bar; progressive-rate coil springs; fully adjustable camber, caster and toe |
| Rear: | 4.5-link independent; progressive-rate coil springs over shocks; stabilizer bar; fully adjustable camber and toe |
| Steering type: | variable-ratio rack-and-pinion |
| Steering ratio: | 16.1:1 |
| Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: | 2.5 |
| Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): |
37.7/11.5 |
Brakes
| Type: | four-wheel disc w/ ABS; ventilated front and rear rotors; single-piston front calipers and single-piston alloy rear calipers (LS, LT); four-piston fixed Brembo aluminum front and rear calipers (SS) |
| Rotor diameter, front (in / mm): | LS, LT: 12.64 / 321 SS: 14 / 355 |
| Rotor diameter, rear (in / mm): | LS, LT: 12.4 / 315 SS: 14.4 / 365 |
| Rotor thickness, front (in / mm): | LS, LT: 1.18 / 30 SS: 1.26 / 32 |
| Rotor thickness, rear (in / mm): | LS, LT: 0.9 / 23 SS: 1.1 / 28 |
Wheels / Tires
| LS | LT | SS | |
| Wheel size and type: | 18 x 7.5-inch steel | 18 x 7.5-inch aluminum19 x 8-inch aluminum | 20 x 8-inch aluminum (front)20 x 9-inch aluminum (rear) |
| Tires: | P245/55R18 all-season | P245/55R18 all-seasonP245/50R19 all-season | P245/45ZR20 summer (front)P275/40ZR20 summer (rear) |
Dimensions
Exterior
| Coupe | Convertible | |
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 112.3 / 2852 | 112.3 / 2852 |
| Overall length (in / mm): | 190.4 / 4836 | 190.4 / 4836 |
| Overall width (in / mm): | 75.5 / 1918 | 75.5 / 1918 |
| Overall height (in / mm): | 54.2 / 1376 | 54.7 / 1389 |
| Track, front (in / mm): | 63.7 / 1618 | 63.7 / 1618 |
| Track, rear (in / mm): | 64.1 / 1628 (LS, LT)63.7 / 1618 (SS) | 64.1 / 1628 (LT)63.7 / 1618 (SS) |
| Curb weight (lb / kg): | 3769 / 1713 – LS w/ automatic3780 / 1718 – LS w/ manual
3719 / 1687 – LT w/ automatic 3728 / 1691 – LT w/ manual 3902 / 1770 – SS w/ automatic 3849 / 1746 – SS w/ manual |
3986 / 1808 – LT w/ automatic3995 / 1812 – LT w/ manual
4168 / 1891 – SS w/ automatic 4116 / 1867 – SS w/ manual |
| Weight balance (% front / rear): |
52 / 48 | 52 / 48 |
Interior
| Coupe | Convertible | |
| Seating capacity (front / rear): | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Headroom (in / mm): | front: 37.4 / 950 rear: 35.3 / 897 |
front: 37.8 / 960 rear: 35.7/ 908 |
| Legroom (in / mm): | front: 42.4 / 1077 rear: 29.9 / 757 |
front: 42.4 / 1077 rear: 30 / 760 |
| Shoulder room (in / mm): | front: 56.9 / 1444 rear: 42.5 / 1080 |
front: 56.8 / 1444 rear: 42.4 / 1079 |
Capacities
| Coupe | Convertible | |
| Cargo volume (cu ft / L): | 11.3 / 320 | 10.24 / 290 (top up) 7.85 / 222 (top down) |
| Fuel tank (gal / L): | 19 / 71.9 | 18.8 / 71.7 |
| Engine oil (qt / L): | 3.6L: 7.6 / 7.2 6.2L: 8.9 / 8.5 |
3.6L: 7.6 / 7.2 6.2L: 8.9 / 8.5 |
