Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 9/Jan/2006

Detroit, USA — The resurgence of the American muscle car is entering a new phase, and with the launch of the Camaro convertible concept at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show, North American customers may be experiencing a sense of deja vu.

With cars like the Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and the Chevy Camaro all vying for attention, one could be forgiven for thinking it's the late 1960s again, with all the 8-cylinder muscle cars on show.

Demand appears strong for the modern muscle car in the United States - and this can also be seen in Australia with booming sales for HSV, FPV - and supply is beginning to improve as well.

There aren't many things cooler than navigating the roads in a beautifully sculpted retro cruiser with a bristling V8 engine under the hood, but one of them is doing it with the top dropped.

The latest modern muscle car to be given the green-light for production is a convertible version of the Chevy Camaro, which will compete with the Mustang convertible. Though the Camaro coupe will be the first model to hit the streets in early 2009, Chevrolet has confirmed that the production version of this new convertible model will be added late in 2009.

"The best follow-up to last year's award-winning Camaro concept is a Camaro convertible," commented Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of 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," said Welburn.

As Chevrolet has revealed, the Camaro convertible concept is based on the original Camaro concept, and only minor changes were required to accommodate the convertible body style. So, it shares exterior dimensions with the Camaro concept (4730mm long, 2022mm wide and 1344mm high), although the convertible concept's windshield surround, which features a high gloss polished finish, had to be changed slightly to accommodate the convertible top and needed reinforcement to withstand rollovers.

Engine

Like its coupe sibling, the new Camaro convertible concept is a 2-door, 4-seat performance car driven by a strong V8 engine that uses a 6-speed manual transmissions to send power to the rear wheels. And unlike the Ford Mustang convertible with its solid rear axle, the Chevy gets a full four-wheel independent suspension system for what should be a slightly more compliant ride.

The long hood, short deck and wide stance of the Camaro convertible concept leave no doubt that it is a serious performance car, where it's tough looks are backed up by a 298kW (400hp) aluminium small-block V8. 

The 6.0-litre LS2 engine from GM is a tuners dream, with relatively inexpensive upgrades increasing rear-wheel power significantly. The Camaro's V8 engine is also expected to come with a special fuel-saving system called Active Fuel Management. During freeway cruising and other low-power duties, the engine can shut off 4-cylinders to save fuel.

Design

Design wise, the new Camaro convertible concept looks pretty much like the coupe Camaro, only with a cloth roof, different wheels and a subtle hood scoop. According to Chevrolet, the design blends a dramatic, forward-looking appearance that is mindful of the Chevy Camaro heritage.

As well as the omission of a roof, the Camaro convertible concept also features a tonneau cover for when the roof is down, quad LED brake lights, a rear spoiler with LEDs and a tough looking motor racing type fuel filler.

The show car for the Detroit Motor Show exhibit is finished in a Hugger Orange pearl tri-coat color, which is a contemporary update of the classic hue, which was originally offered in 1969, and is augmented by twin gunmetal gray sport stripes. 

As mentioned, the wheels are a new design; 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rear wheels. The wheels have a deep-dish effect with a five-spoke design and feature charcoal center sections, dull chrome spoke with a thin orange outline on the wheel edge. The tyres are huge, measuring 275/30 R21 up front and 305/30 R22 at the rear.

Interior

Chevrolet's North American designers carved the Camaro convertible's interior with one theme in mind: simple yet purposeful. They wanted the cabin to reflect design elements inspired by the muscle car era of the '60s and '70s, which of course includes the first-generation Camaro. 

There's a contrasting of shades in the interior that is far less glitzy than most show and/or concept cars, featuring light-coloured leather seats with dark leather suede-like inserts, with black sculpted seatbacks. "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, one of the interior designers who worked on the flamboyant muscle car.

The convertible concept features a retro instrument panel inspired by the first-generation Camaros (1967-1969), including an intricate 'round-gauges-in-square-holes' design according to its makers. Sounds like Ford's 'squircles' concept... With a deep, 3D appearance, with white faces and red needles there is still a strong element of performance in the dash."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.

Chevrolet points out the attention to detail that's in evidence throughout the interior, including the smoke satin aluminium finish on the kick plates, air vents, seat handles and safety belt buckles. The gear shifter and pedals are made of billet aluminium, and the steering wheel has a detailed, deep-dish tri-spoke design. As with many modern performance cars, a separate ignition button is used to start the engine and the speedometer and tachometer needles perform a full-sweep of their dials when the engine rumbles to life.

Camaro History: Then & Now

As Chevrolet points out, 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 sports 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. According to Chevrolet these influences can be seen in the Camaro convertible concept's bold proportions, tailored wheel-to-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 stylised 'tuner' cars and import sports cars, asserts Chevrolet.

"Youthful buyers want a car that makes a statement in its design as much as its performance," said Brian Smith, the car's 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.

"Camaro has always represented the American ethic that style and performance don't belong exclusively to the wealthy," added Smith. "Camaro has always been everybody's sports car, and these new concepts demonstrate its spirit is relevant for a new generation."

With hints that the new Camaro will mirror its ancestor's original intent, a sports car not exclusively for the wealthy, the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro, and now its sibling, the Camaro convertible, are expected to be priced to compete with the Ford Mustang, which sells for between US$25,000 and US$30,000.

Related articles:
- Chevrolet WTCC Ultra (concept)
- Chevrolet Captiva (2006)
- Chevrolet Camaro (concept)
- Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (2006)
- Chevrolet C6 Corvette (2005)
- Chevrolet Z06 Corvette (2003)