Ken Fichtner

For release: Jan. 5, 2007; 12:01 p.m. EST
CHEVY CAMARO CONVERTIBLE CONCEPT DEBUTS AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO
SHOW
DETROIT – The Chevrolet Camaro concept was the celebrated star of the 2006 auto show season. You can
only top that by literally and figuratively blowing the top off. That’s exactly what GM’s designers and engineers
did to create the Camaro convertible concept. The introduction of the Camaro convertible concept was on the
eve of the North American International Auto Show at GM Style, an exclusive, fashion-splashed event
combining celebrities, couture and automobiles.
The Camaro convertible concept, wrapped in Hugger Orange pearl tri-coat paint with twin gunmetal gray sport
stripes, is based on the original Camaro concept, with only minor changes required to accommodate the
convertible body style.
“The best follow-up to last year’s award-winning Camaro concept is a Camaro convertible,” said Ed Welburn,
GM vice president, global design. “The Camaro convertible concept instantly evokes an emotional response –
it’s a vehicle that you want to make room for in your garage.”
The Camaro convertible concept embodies strong heritage while appealing to a new generation of customers
who seek a distinctive statement in a new car.
“For some of us, an emotional bond was formed when we introduced the Camaro coupe last year,” said Ed
Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “It is magnificent. But now this year, if this Camaro convertible doesn’t
make your heart beat faster, you should see either your optometrist or your cardiologist, because you have a
problem.”
Chevrolet already has announced production plans for the Camaro, which will go on sale in 2009. A production
convertible model will be added later that year.
Fun spirit
Like the Camaro concept vehicle, the Camaro convertible concept blends a dramatic, forward-looking design
that is mindful of the brand’s storied heritage. That design includes classic long hood/short deck proportions
and a wide, wheels-at-the-corners stance that gives the vehicle the look of hugging corners even when
stationary.
The Camaro convertible concept is motivated by a torquey V-8 engine that rightly sends power to the rear
wheels via a manual transmission. It also features a four-wheel independent suspension system and fourwheel
disc brakes.
“There is an undeniably fun spirit with the Camaro convertible concept,” said Peper. “The promise of fun made
by the convertible top is reinforced with the Camaro’s ‘let’s go’ stance – it’s a car that begs to be driven.”
The Camaro convertible concept shares exterior dimensions with the Camaro concept, although the
convertible concept’s windshield surround, which features a bright anodized finish, is changed slightly to
accommodate the convertible top.
Additional design details include:
1 Tonneau cover over the folded top
2 “Halo” headlamps
3 LED taillamps
4 Rear spoiler with LED-lit CHMSL
5 Racing-inspired fuel filler door
6 Front-inlet hood scoop, inspired by the Corvette Z06
7 Heritage-inspired rear fender “gills”
8 Anodized aluminum door handles
9 Bold 21-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) wheels, with accent color
The Camaro convertible concept’s Hugger Orange pearl tri-coat color is a contemporary update of the classic
hue, which was originally offered in 1969. It is complemented with twin gunmetal gray sport stripes. The
modern interpretation of the classic color and its dark accent stripes simultaneously reflect the Camaro’s
heritage and deliver a deep, lustrous and thoroughly contemporary appearance.
The Camaro convertible concept rides on 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rear wheels. The wheels have a
deep-dish, five-spoke design and feature charcoal center sections with bright outer edges and a red outline on
the wheel edge. The charcoal wheels complement the gunmetal gray stripes on the body.
Inspired cockpit
Inside, the Camaro convertible features a simple yet purposeful interior that reflects design elements inspired
by the muscle car era, including the first-generation Camaro. A new, light-and-dark color scheme enhances the
airy feel of the convertible, particularly when the top is lowered.
The seats’ fronts feature platinum-tone leather surrounding suede-like Alcantara® inserts, with black, sculpted
seatbacks. The use of light color only on the seating surface is reminiscent of vintage houndstooth interiors,
while a matching, tri-coat platinum paint is used to accent the door panels and instrument panel, giving a
modern, bold feel to the interior.
“The light-on-dark interior coloring makes a strong statement that conveys the spirit of freedom and fun that is
embodied by a Camaro convertible,” said Micah Jones, interior designer.
As with the Camaro coupe concept, the convertible concept features an instrument panel inspired by firstgeneration
Camaros, including an intricate “round-gauges-in-square-holes” design. The gauges have a deep,
three-dimensional appearance, with white faces and red pointers.
“The instrument panel – including the four auxiliary gauges mounted in front of the shifter – pays homage to
first-generation Camaros, while achieving a modern appearance through its refined integration of
components,” said Jones.
Craftsmanship and attention to detail are evidenced throughout the interior, including the smoke satin
aluminum finish on trim plates, vents, seat handles and safety belt buckles. The shifter and pedals are made of
billet aluminum. The steering wheel has a detailed, deep-dish three-spoke design and the front seats are
hinged at the center – rather than the sides – for an integrated appearance. A separate ignition button is used
to start the engine and the speedometer and tachometer needles complete full-sweep indexing when the
engine rumbles to life.
A “spine” motif runs through the center of the vehicle and on the seatbacks, including a prominent center
console that stretches to the rear seat. The spine reinforces the symmetry of the Camaro convertible, as well
as its precision.
An attainable icon
The original Camaro was introduced to the Baby Boomer generation, a large group of young, individualistic
and mobile Americans that drove fundamental changes in the auto industry. The Camaro was personal, sporty
and powerful – attributes that were typically found on more expensive, smaller and, often, foreign sports cars.
The Camaro represented a real life-sized sporty car that was attainable for just about everyone. An almost
endless list of optional features, colors and trim combinations ensured owners could tailor their Camaro to their
exact taste.
As Boomers transitioned into larger vehicles to accommodate growing families, younger drivers embraced
used Camaros as their first cars, and third- and fourth-generations of the Camaro continued to deliver
affordable fun and performance to a new generation of enthusiasts. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of owners
of all walks of life have found driving fun in a Camaro during the past 40 years.
The new Camaro concepts draw on their namesakes’ heritage, but also the global, youthful influences of the
21st century. These influences are seen in the Camaro convertible concept’s bold proportions, tailored wheelto-
body relationship and detailed interior – including the multi-dimensional instruments. It’s a design that
resonates with a generation of younger car buyers influenced by highly stylized “tuner” cars and import sports
cars.
“Youthful buyers want a car that makes a statement in its design as much as its performance,” said Brian
Smith, exterior designer. “The new Camaro concepts bridge heritage with contemporary style, with a design
that is simultaneously admired among import-influenced youth and traditional enthusiasts.”
Along with style and performance, the timeless spirit of fun is woven into the new Camaro concepts.
“Camaro has always represented the American ethic that style and performance don’t belong exclusively to the
wealthy,” said Smith. “Camaro has always been everybody’s sports car and these new concepts demonstrate
its spirit is relevant for a new generation.”
# # #
SPECIFICATIONS – CHEVROLET CAMARO CONVERTIBLE CONCEPT
Vehicle type: two-door, four-passenger rear-wheel-drive convertible
Wheelbase (in / mm): 110.5 / 2806
Length (in / mm): 186.2 / 4730
Width (in / mm): 79.6 / 2022
Height (in / mm): 53 / 1344
Track (in / mm): 63.8 / 1620 front; 63.3 / 1607 rear
Powertrain: V-8 engine with manual transmission
Suspension: four-wheel independent: MacPherson strut front, multilink rear, progressive
rate coil springs, gas-pressurized dampers
Brakes: four-wheel disc, 14-in rotors with four-piston calipers
Wheels: cast aluminum; 21-in front, 22-in rear
Tires: 275/30R21 front, 305/30R22 rear

Go here for photos:
https://clacc.gmadmanager2004.com/am...969h&d=2301557

VetteMark

WAY !!!!

Thanks for the info Ken!!

curvesman

NICE! Thanks Ken for sharing!

Boozman

Great looking ride way to go GM

TA

Very cool