2010 Chevrolet Camaro officially revealed!
General Motors has officially taken the wraps of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. Although images and specs leaked on the modern day muscle car last week, we now have the official figures straight from the horse’s mouth.
As expected, the Camaro will be available in LS, LT and SS guises. The LS and LT models will do with a 3.6L V6 – mated to either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission – and will produce 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Despite having more power than the V6 versions of the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, the V6-powered cars will return 26 mpg on the highway.
Both the LS and LT models will ride on GM’s FE2 suspension.
The top-level SS will be motivated by a 6.2L V8. When coupled with the six-speed automatic transmission, the SS will be good for 400 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, while opting for the manual gearbox will net an additional 22 horsepower, for a grand total of 422 horsepower and 408 lb-ft of torque. The V8 powered car will return about 23 mpg on the highway.
Other SS goodies will include four-piston Brembo brakes, a sportier FE3 suspension and Competitive/Sport modes for the car’s StabiliTrak stability control system, including launch control for manual SS models.
An RS appearance package will be available on LT and SS models, and will include HID headlamps with with integrated halo ring feature, spoiler, specific taillamps and 20-inch wheels.
With four-wheel independent and StabiliTrak stability control standard, the Camaro will tip the scales at about 3,700 pounds, but is said to have a near ideal 52/48 weight distribution.
Although the V6 models will do battle with low-end Mustangs and Challengers, a turbocharged four-cylinder is still not out of the question. The automaker hopes to sell as many as 100,000 units annually.
Overall, the body shape looks very similar to the Camaro Concept. GM has added a B-pillar to the Camaro’s body structure for added strength. Otherwise, the car is virtually unchanged from the concept, as GM has promised.
Availability
Circle Monday, February 16, 2009 on your calendar as the date the new 2010 Camaros will start heading down the production line at the Oshawa plant in Ontario.
In actuality, this means it will more than likely be mid-March before you’ll be able to put your hands on one at a dealership. That puts Camaro availability about a year behind that of its nearest rival, the Dodge Challenger.
A few GM higher ups have stated that the General will start making Camaros in late 2008. That’s true, but, a little misleading. Salable, pilot build, Camaros will be the cars rolling down the line in late 2008. This run of cars will be given to engineers, execs and managers.
For those seeking a convertible Camaro, you’ll have to wait until Monday, December 7, 2009 — a little bit late for the 2009 convertible season in northern climates. Look for them to start showing up at dealers in late December or early January depending on where you are in the United States.
GM executives have publicly said Chevy expects to sell over 100,000 Camaros per year with pricing for the V6 model starting in the $20,000 range.
Production model
[Source: LLN]