While it isn’t an official word from GM, the guys that have all the inside news say that a source has confirmed that the company is working on a sixth-gneration version of the Chevrolet Camaro. The unnamed source says that the model is scheduled for a production date of 2016.

Check out our Top 10 things you need to know about the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

The only other thing that was confirmed by the source was that it will be available with a Gen V 6.2 liter V8 engine. The engine will be a direct-injected version of Chevrolet’s small block and will have fewer displacements – fewer than 6.0 liters.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

Transmission choices may be upgraded from a 6-speed manual to a 7-speed manual and a dual-clutch automatic.

Chevy, how about some better visibility, less weight and a nicer interior?

- By: Omar Rana

Source: GMInsideNews

“Chevrolet is hosting several military families and Achilles team members at the game, and is paying tribute to wounded servicemen and women and the team with a 30-second TV spot and a short tribute to members who participated in the recent Detroit Free Press / Talmer Bank Marathon,” GM said in a statement.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

“We at Chevrolet want to do all we can to show our gratitude to the men and women serving in our armed forces, those who come home with life-changing injuries, like Cpl. Gaertner, and our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Global Marketing and Strategy.

The Chevrolet Military Tribute Camaro represents all five branches of the U.S. armed forces and some of the military’s highest awards and current campaign medals.

The car was designed by award-winning artist Mickey Harris.

- By: Omar Rana

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Corvette.

“Go to any Corvette or Camaro enthusiast event and you will have a hard time finding a factory-stock vehicle,” said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet. “These are cars that owners treat as canvases to express their personalization and high-performance dreams – and have been for decades. The SEMA Show is the perfect venue to test new customization concepts and to inspire new owners to start modifying their cars.”

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

Chevrolet will have many Camaros and Corvettes at SEMA this year – including a full-size tribute to the “Custom Camaro” that was part of the original Hot Wheels 1:64-scale line in 1968. All the concepts reflect the wide range of personalization possibilities, inspiring owners to build their own one-of-a-kind creation.

We’re really looking forward to the Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept.

Hit the jump to learn about each concept.

The Camaros and Corvettes Chevrolet will debut at the 2011 SEMA Show:

Camaro Red Zone Concept

A design statement achieved with current and future accessories is the inspiration for the Camaro Red Zone Concept. It uses the Camaro convertible’s style to demonstrate what’s possible with a carefully selected collection of accessories – and it debuts a new, heritage-inspired stripe graphic that will be available soon. The result is a tasteful combination that blends contemporary style with a classic flair.

Vehicle highlights:

• New-for-2012 model year Crystal Claret exterior color with black convertible tonneau cover
• Chevrolet Accessories 21×8.5-inch silver/polished-face wheels
• Silver heritage stripe
• Chevrolet Accessories body-color grille and convertible wind screen
• Suspension lowering kit by Pedders (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
• Concept polished strut tower brace
• Concept “RS” underhood liner
• Titanium leather interior with Silver Ice accents
• Black soft instrument panel insert
• Chevrolet Accessories Silver Ice door and instrument panel inserts
• Chevrolet Accessories floor mats with silver “CAMARO” logos.

“This is a Camaro for those who want great looks and a performance personality,” said designer Adam Barry. “It’s a simple yet dramatic statement that is uniquely Camaro.”

Camaro Synergy Series Concept

The Camaro’s Synergy special editions were born at SEMA, and this vehicle is a new take on the concept, using the best of the best of Camaro accessories – as well as a distinctive silver exterior with red accents. Chevrolet will be listening to the reaction that this Synergy concept receives at SEMA, as it could be brought to production.

Vehicle highlights:

• Silver Ice exterior color with black Synergy stripes on the hood, with decklid and “mail slot” decals with red line inserts
• Synergy gill decals and no SS or RS exterior badges
• Chevrolet Accessories body-color ground effects and grille
• Chevrolet Accessories 21-inch wheels – black with red stripe
• Suspension lowering kit by Pedders (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
• Red Brembo^® brake calipers
• Chevrolet Accessories red engine cover
• Concept “SS“ underhood liner
• Concept polished strut tower brace
• Chevrolet Accessories floor mats (ebony with red and “CAMARO” logo in silver)
• Chevrolet Accessories lighting kit (displayed in red)
• Hurst^® short-throw shifter
• Black leather interior with red accent stitching on seats, console, doors, steering wheel and shifter boot
• Silver Ice instrument panel and door inserts
• Black leather instrument panel soft insert with red stitching
• SS logo with red outline on the head restraints
• Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit

Camaro 1LE Concept

Born in the Camaro’s third generation and refined further in the fourth generation as a road-racing performance package, the legendary 1LE option code designation returns to the Camaro as a concept intended to carve up road courses. While only a concept, it borrows production components from both the Camaro SS and forthcoming Camaro ZL1 to deliver a competition-ready package. Hash mark graphics on the front fender are pure Chevrolet racing cues, too.

Vehicle highlights:

• Victory Red exterior color, with flat black hood and hash mark extensions
• Satin black splitter, rocker panels, rear spoiler and outside mirrors
• Sport suspension featuring Magnetic Ride Control
• Electric power steering
• Six-speed manual close-ratio transmission
• Lightweight 20×10-inch (front) and 20×11-inch (rear) racing wheels (satin black)
• Goodyear^® Eagle F1 Supercar G asymmetrical tires (from the ZL1)
• Brembo^® six-piston front calipers, with two-piece front rotors, and four-piston rear calipers (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
• Dual exhaust outlets with ZL1-style active exhaust and diffuser
• Shock tower brace
• Chevrolet Accessories red engine cover
• Black leather interior with Light Stone stitching
• Graphite Silver door and instrument panel inserts
• ZL1 shifter with Light Stone stitching
• ZL1 flat-bottom steering wheel
• Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit

“The Camaro 1LE concept is all about the track,” said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Camaro. “It’s an all-out race car package that pays tribute to that special option from the past.”

Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept

Welcome to the dark side of Camaro ZL1. This concept incorporates all the technology and performance of the Camaro ZL1 – which goes on sale in 2012 – but with an added layer of carbon fiber to add a decidedly sinister-looking element of form to a car that’s all about function. Included on this concept is the new Ashen Gray exterior paint (available on all 2012 Camaro models).

Vehicle highlights:

• Chevrolet Accessories exposed-weave carbon fiber “Mohawk” hood insert
• Carbon fiber rear spoiler with stainless-steel wicker bill
• Carbon fiber inserts on the interior door and instrument panel
• Lightweight 20×10-inch (front) and 20×11-inch (rear) wheels in satin black with machined faces
• Brembo^® six-piston front calipers, with two-piece front rotors, and four-piston rear calipers (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
• Magnetic Ride Control
• Dual exhaust outlets with active exhaust and diffuser
• Jet Black leather interior with sueded microfiber seat inserts and Torch Red stitching
• ZL1 short-throw shifter with suede and carbon fiber-trimmed shift knob
• Suede-trimmed flat-bottom steering wheel
• ZL1 pedals

“This concept’s dramatic appearance matches the extreme performance capabilities of the Camaro ZL1,” said Tony Roma, program engineering manager for the Camaro ZL1. “And even if its styling doesn’t intimidate you, its performance on the track will.”

Corvette Carlisle Blue Grand Sport Concept

This Corvette celebrates 30 years of “Corvettes at Carlisle,” one of the largest annual Corvette events in North America. It introduces a new Carlisle Blue exterior, new Silver-painted Torque 2 wheels and Pearl White full-length racing stripes. The Carlisle Grand Sport also showcases all-out performance with a dual-mode exhaust and Magnetic Selective Ride Control. Corvette was born to race, and that performance DNA runs through every inch of this unique Grand Sport.

Vehicle highlights

• LS3 6.2L with dry sump oil system – hand-built at GM’s Performance Build Center
• Six-speed manual transmission
• Magnetic Selective Ride Control
• Gray six-piston brake calipers (2012 option)
• Goodyear^® F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires
• Dual-mode exhaust system
• New Carlisle Blue Metallic exterior
• Cyber Gray headlamps (2012 option)
• Genuine Corvette Accessory Torque 2 silver-painted wheels in 18×10-inch (front) and 19×12-inch (rear)
• Genuine Corvette Accessory Carbon Fiber Ground Effects – front splitter and rockers
• Genuine Corvette Accessory full-width rear spoiler
• Genuine Corvette Accessory GRAND SPORT hood blanket
• Genuine Corvette Accessory Pearl White full-length stripe kit
• 4LT trim level with Ebony/Titanium leather color interior and blue stitching
• New-for-2012 Bose^® Premium Audio with nine speakers, USB port and audio jack with iPod^®integration on the touch screen
• Genuine Corvette Accessory GRAND SPORT Ebony floor mats
• Genuine Corvette Accessory GRAND SPORT console lid
• Genuine Corvette Accessory Racing Pedal Package

Corvette Z06 Ron Fellows ‘Hall of Fame’ Tribute

Ron Fellows has a long, distinguished racing career, including driving on the championship Corvette Racing C5.R and C6.R teams. That resume helped earn him an induction to the National Corvette Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2011. This Torch Red show car honors Fellows’ service behind the wheel, using accessories offered from Chevrolet matched with custom graphics. It’s a fitting salute to one of the fastest men ever to drive a Corvette.

Vehicle highlights

• Z06 Performance Package (Z07)
• Magnetic Selective Ride Control
• CFZ carbon fiber package with splitter and rocker moldings
• Carbon fiber raised hood
• Black headlamp housings and mirrors
• Red brake calipers
• Ebony interior with red stitching
• Suede-trimmed steering wheel, shift knob, parking brake handle and armrests with red stitching (from the 2012 Centennial package)
• Centennial-model seats
• Genuine Corvette Accessory Racing Pedal Package
• Racing-style graphics that honor racing wins, National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame, Spring Mountain Driving School and Mosport.

On the outside, a flashy makeover includes an orange and black paint scheme and a set of 22-inch orange wheels with 265/30/R22 in the front and 295/25/R22 in the rear for rubber. A body kit adds side skirts, rear diffuser and wing, and a chin spoiler.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible.

Under the hood, the 6.2-liter V8 is fitted with a new supercharger, kicking power up to 560-hp and 575 lb per ft of torque.

Also included is a sport exhaust system and an adjustable suspension.

- By: Alexandra Koken

“Chevrolet’s commitment to battling breast cancer won’t stop on the track,” GM said in a statement. “In its centennial year, the brand is partnering with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative leading up to October, which is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Chevy’s Nov. 3 birthday.”

“For 100 years, Chevy has been helping people along the journey of life in countless ways,” said Alan Batey, Chevrolet vice president, Sales and Service. “But as we all know, sometimes life’s journeys take detours or end too early. Together with our race fans, Chevrolet wants to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer, more birthdays and longer journeys.”

- By: Omar Rana

As the U.S.’s best selling sports car for two consecutive years, the Chevrolet Camaro’s popularity goes beyond the road, to being Facebook’s most-popular vehicle, as well.

With more than 1.8 million fans for the official page, the Camaro has more than any other car. Proving that Chevrolet has reached a younger market, of the 1.8 million fans, 60 percent of them are in the age range of 18 to 34.

Carolin Probst-Iyer is the digital consumer engagement manager for Chevrolet, and she comments that “The community that has grown around the Camaro is truly remarkable. With nearly 2 million fans, people are constantly posting new photos and content, which in turn inspires comments and engagement from other fans. As a result, the community provides an invaluable way for us to communicate directly with the most passionate Camaro enthusiasts and to understand what they like most about their favorite sports car.”

Since 2010 the Camaro has been outselling the Ford Mustang, and may do so by over 10,000 units between January and August this year. Chevrolet expects the model to continue to gain more popularity with the 2012 launch of the Camaro ZL1, and the Transformers Edition Camaro coming out this fall. The ZL1 model is going to be released at an impressive 550-hp, making it the most powerful Camaro to date.

- By: Alexandra Koken

A Michigan man is the proud owner of a brand-new Chevrolet Camaro SS for just $5. How? He has a new penny auction web site to thank.

We would love to get into the nitty gritty of this but we’ll let CNN take it from here and give you the complete details in the video posted after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CNN

There is no doubt that Michael Bay’s Transformers series has played some role in helping the Chevrolet Camaro become America’s best-selling sports car for 2010 and 2011. Michael Bay will now be taking over the theater screens later this week with the third installment called Transformers: Dark of the Moon and to celebrate the third part, Chevrolet announced today that it will offer a 2012 Transformers Special Edition Chevrolet Camaro Coupe to Bumblebee/Autobots fans in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Europe, South America, and the Middle East.

“The Transformers franchise has helped introduce Camaro – and Chevrolet – to a whole new generation of fans,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “Its role in the films helped make the Camaro the best-selling sports car in America, and one of the best-known cars of any kind around the world.”

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

The 2012 Transformers Special Edition Chevrolet Camaro Coupe will be offered as $3,000 package on the 2LT and 2SS Camaro with Rally Yellow paint. It will also add black rally stripes, a high-wing rear spoiler, 20-inch black-painted wheels and an Autobot Shield logos on the center caps and front quarter panels. On the inside, the Transformers Camaro will get black leather interior accented with yellow stitching on the instrument panel, center console, armrests and seats. The Autobot Shield logos are embroidered on the front headrests, as well as the center console lid. Two dealer-installed options are also available including 21-inch, black-painted wheels and a black ground-effects package.

This year, the Camaro continues to lead the sports car segment, with the introduction of the Camaro Convertible. Chevrolet has sold 40,275 Camaros this year, compared to the Mustang sales of 30,206.

We’re just hoping that the Transformers Special Edition will be offered with the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

2012 Transformers Special Edition Chevrolet Camaro Coupe:

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Special Edition:

- By: Omar Rana

Just how well do the new muscle cars of 2011 compare to their predecessors? It’s a question/debate that is continuously brought up at drag strips and auto shows.

The guys at Motor Trend decided to find out for once and for all. The team gathered three modern high-spec muscle cars and put them against their glory days ancestors.

The lineup consist of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS against the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS396; a 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 meets the 1970 Challenger; and the 2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Convertible meets its 1969 forebear.

Hit the jump for the video.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: MotorTrend

We’re just a couple of days away from Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon hitting theaters (July 1 to be exact). Chevrolet has just released a new commercial for the Chevrolet Camaro highlighting its product placement in the third installment of the Transformers series.

The commercial shows a bunch of Bumblebee Camaro footage from Transformers 3 with Tim Allen’s voice in the background saying “You may never have to outrun a Decepticon invasion… it’s just nice to know you can.”

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

Check out the commercial after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Ford Mustang sales suffered a hard drop of 35.4 percent from May last year, while the Chevrolet Camaro topped all others in muscle car sales this May. Third in sales was the Dodge Challenger, seeing a lesser decrease of 10.7 percent from last year.

Chevy moved 520 more units this May from last, while the Mustang sold 3,618 less this May. The Dodge Challenger saw a decrease of 410 units.

Ford Mustang sales last month may have seen the most drastic change in sales, but Octavio Navarro, a Ford Spokesman, says “…calendar year-to-date sales were only down 2.8 percent,… our focus, in combinations with our other cars, is to continue to grow our car market share.”. There has been no indication at this point whether the company plans on ramping up marketing efforts for the Mustang.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

Overall for May, the highest selling were the gas-friendly cars like the Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus, Edmunds.com reports “High gas prices and production issues following the March earthquakes in Japan combined to create a ripe environment for domestic small cars to thrive,”.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Inside Line

Wondering how durable the top is on the new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible? Well, wonder no more. GM has released a video showing us the extensive tests it put the Camaro Convertible to make sure that the drop-top muscle car doesn’t disappoint.

GM said that to assure long-term durability, the Camaro Convertible’s top was opened and closed more than 22,5000 times (three times more than would be expected in a typical 10 year use) while it was under development. Some of those open and closes were performed in extreme conditions; temperatures ranging from minus-22° F to 170° F and humidity of up to 95 percent.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible.

“This past winter we even had our engineers driving 80 of these convertibles back and forth to work every day here in Michigan,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “They had to open and close the top five times each day no matter what the weather was like.”

Every Camaro Convertible produced also undergoes a water test at the plant in Oshawa, Ontario. Some are randomly chosen and undergo an 8-minute water test at the GM Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan. More than 7,200 gallons of water are thrown at the Camaro Convertible in a hurricane-like downpour at a pace of 900 gallons per minute.

As far as reducing interior noise, the Camaro Convertible’s top gets a three-layer top, which includes an acoustical liner made of rubber sandwiched between an acrylic square weave outer fabric and an inner reinforcing cotton layer.

Check out the video after the jump.

Refresher: The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is available in two trim levels including LT and SS. The 2011 Camaro Convertible LT is powered by a 3.6L direct-injection V6 engine that produces 312-hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. The Camaro Convertible SS models is offered with two 6.2L V8 powertrain choices including the L99 on automatic-equipped vehicles and the LS3 on manual-equipped models The L99 engine produces 400-hp and a maximum torque of 410 lb-ft while the LS3 makes 426-hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Prices for the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible start at $29,150 for the 1LT and $36,650 for the 1SS.

011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible:

011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible:

- By: Roman Bronfenbrener

Welcome to our 10th edition of ‘Let’s Talk Numbers’, where we take two or more vehicles and do a straight number battle and leave it up to you guys to decide which is the winner.

Today we’re bringing you a battle between two muscle convertibles including the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and the 2011 Ford Mustang Convertible.

Check out our previous Let’s Talk Number wars.

Let’s get started.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible:

• Style: Convertible Sports Car.
• Drive Type: Rear-wheel-drive.
• Power:
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible LT: 3.6 liter V6 / 312-hp at 6,500 rpm – 278 lb-ft at 5,100 rpm.
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible SS: 6.2 liter V8 / 426-hp at 5,900 rpm – 420 lb-ft at 4,600.
• Transmission: 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic (w/ paddle shifters).
• 0 to 60 mph:
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible LT: 6.2 seconds.
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible SS: 4.9 seconds.
• Top Speed: 155 mph.
• Fuel-Economy:
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible LT: 18/29 mpg (city/highway) w/ automatic; 17/29 w/ manual.
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible SS: 16/25 mpg (city/highway) w/automatic; 16/24 w/manual.
• Curb Weight:
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible LT: 3,986 lbs.
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible SS: 4,168 lbs
• Price:
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible LT: $29,275.
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible SS: $36,775.

2011 Ford Mustang Convertible:

• Style: Convertible Sports Car.
• Drive Type: Rear-wheel-drive.
• Power:
  • Ford Mustang Convertible V6: 3.7 liter V6 / 305-hp at 6,500 rpm – 280 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm.
  • Ford Mustang Convertible GT: 5.0 liter V8 / 412-hp at 6,500 rpm – 390 lb-ft at 4,260 rpm.
• Transmission: 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic.
• 0 to 60 mph:
  • Ford Mustang Convertible V6: 5.7 seconds.
  • Ford Mustang Convertible GT: 4.7 seconds.
• Top Speed: 155 mph.
• Fuel-Economy:
  • Ford Mustang Convertible V6: 19/30 mpg (city/highway) w/ automatic; 19/29 w/ manual.
  • Ford Mustang Convertible GT: 18/25 mpg (city/highway) w/ automatic; 17/27 w/manual.
• Curb Weight:
  • Ford Mustang Convertible V6: 3,604 lbs.
  • Ford Mustang Convertible GT: 3,770 lbs.
• Price:
  • Ford Mustang Convertible V6: $28,105.
  • Ford Mustang Convertible GT: $35,105.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible:

2011 Ford Mustang GT:

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible:

2011 Ford Mustang GT:

- By: Omar Rana

With the recent resurgence of American Muscle, the pony wars are back on, and the Camaro is staking its claim as the American Muscle Car for the 2010’s.

The Chevrolet Camaro has been outpacing the Ford Mustang this year, having sold 30,824 units to the Mustang’s 23,599 units. April alone saw the Camaro outsell the Mustang by 2,672 units.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

Chevrolet officials give a portion of the credit to the recently-introduced convertible variant, which went on sale in March. Convertibles can make up about 20%-25% of segment sales, so having a convertible offering fills a big gap for the Camaro.

“It started out with the V8 being the majority [of sales], but we knew a lot of that was from the enthusiasm factor and that it would normalize to 50/50,” said GM spokesman Dave Caldwell. He said the steady shift to higher demand for the V6 took place over the first year or so and has crept up to about 60/40 preference for the V6.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Special Edition:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Auto Week

It’s a perfect month to honor our nation’s military. Not only is it National Military Appreciation Month, but our nation’s armed forces captured one of the most wanted men in history – Osama Bin Laden. Chevrolet is celebrating National Military Appreciation Month by expanding its GM Military Discount  to military spouses and retirees; offering an exclusive “Honor” badge to anyone who buys an eligible Chevrolet through the program. For each eligible vehicle sold, GM will donate $100 to Cell Phones for Soldiers.

“We are committed to offering military professionals and their family members the best value in the industry,” said Dan Akerson, General Motors Chairman and CEO.  “As a former Navy man, I hold the highest regard for the men and women of our Armed Forces – past and present – who help keep our country safe and preserve our precious liberties.”

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

The GM Military Discount program is extended to spouses of Active and Reserve members, as well as retirees, of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard. The discount is available on most Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models with discounts typically ranging between $500 and $4,000 off MSRP.

The Military Appreciation Month program will be completed with 99 ‘Honor and Valor’ Limited Edition 2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS vehicles, which will debut during the Indianapolis 500 military personnel parade on May 28. Those interested can order the limited-editiin Camaro SS through www.gmmilitarydiscount.com.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS Honor and Valor:

- By: Omar Rana

Chrome Chevrolet Camaro by Tintek

A Czech Republic company called Tintek has developed a new chrome exterior wrap for the Chevrolet Camaro SS. It’s blinding, it’s somewhat attractive and it’s somewhat obnoxious – yeah, we really can’t make up our minds here.

Let us know what you think about the whole Chrome Chevrolet Camaro after you check out the video posted after the jump.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Special Edition:

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Special Edition:

- By: Omar Rana

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Special Edition

The Chevrolet Camaro is getting some enhancement for the 2012 Model year including a more powerful 3.6L V6, a performance suspension package for SS coupes and several interior and technology upgrades, such as a revised instrument panel design, new steering wheel and rear camera system.

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro enhancement arrive just in time for the model’s 45th birthday, which is being celebrated this summer with the 2012 45th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro (pictured). Continuing the tradition of Camaro anniversary models, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition carries all the upgrades for 2012, with additional design elements on the inside and outside. The 45th Anniversary Special Edition Package will be available on the 2012 Camaro’s top two trim levels (2LT and 2SS) in both the coupe and convertible model style.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

“The appeal of Camaro design and performance has powered it to the top of its segment,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “For 2012, we’re capitalizing on that momentum with enhancements to Camaro’s performance and comfort.”

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro features a new 3.6L V6 LFX engine, which will go into production this summer. The engine produces 323-hp (an increase of 11 over the 2011 engine) and makes no compromise to fuel-economy. It also weights 20.5 pounds lighter than its predecessor, which provides for a more balanced driving experience.

Prices and other details will be announced closer to launch.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Special Edition:

Press Release:

2012 Camaro: 45th Anniversary Edition Boosts Power, Comfort

Sports car brings new, more powerful V-6, sport suspension and new technologies

DETROIT– Chevrolet Camaro, America’s most popular sports car, extends its momentum with enhancements for the 2012 model year. Highlights include an improved version of its standard 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine, a new FE4 performance suspension package for SS coupes and several interior and technology improvements, such as a revised instrument panel design, new steering wheel and rear camera system.

The enhancements arrive in time for Camaro’s 45th birthday, which will be celebrated with this summer’s release of the 45th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro. Continuing the tradition of Camaro anniversary models, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition carries all the upgrades for 2012, with additional unique design elements, inside and out.

“The appeal of Camaro design and performance has powered it to the top of its segment,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “For 2012, we’re capitalizing on that momentum with enhancements to Camaro’s performance and comfort.”

Also coming in early 2012 is the high-performance Camaro ZL1, the most technologically advanced car ever developed in its segment.

Class-leading 3.6L V-6 engine

Camaro’s new 3.6L direct injection V-6 – the LFX engine – goes into production this summer. It delivers an SAE-certified 323 horsepower (241 kW) at 6,800 rpm – an increase of 11 horsepower (8 kW) over the 2011 engine, with no compromise in fuel economy.

The LFX delivers the most standard power in the regular sports car segment. It is also 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg) lighter than its predecessor, which promotes a more balanced driving experience. EPA-estimated highway fuel economy for the ’12 Camaro is 30 mpg (2LS model).

Compared to the 3.6L V-6 in 2011 models, the new LFX engine features:

• New cylinder head design with integrated exhaust manifold
• Improved intake port design and larger intake valves within the cylinder heads
• Longer-duration intake camshafts
• Composite intake manifold
• New fuel pump and isolated fuel rail
• New, optimized-flow fuel injectors
• Structural front cover and cylinder block enhancements
• Stronger and lighter-weight connecting rods
• Camshaft cap and throttle body design enhancements.

Direct injection is the key technology enabling the engine’s combination of power and efficiency. It optimizes fuel delivery to the combustion chamber by introducing fuel closer to the combustion chamber. The result is better efficiency in the combustion process leading to increased fuel efficiency at part and full throttle. It also uses a new fuel pump for the direct injection system, along with a new, isolated fuel rail. The new fuel pump is quieter, while the isolated fuel rail further reduces fuel system noise.

FE4 suspension enhances performance

The new FE4 suspension debuts as a performance improvement for the Camaro SS coupe in 2012, focusing on more refined handling.

“Our objective was to create a more precise sport suspension for the SS coupe, with greater road-holding capability,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. ”We applied lessons learned from extensive track testing to better refine the suspension geometry for flatter cornering, a more neutral balance during hard turns, and minimized understeer at the limit.”

Elements of the FE4 package include:

• Retuned front and rear dampers
• New solid front (23 mm) and rear (24 mm) stabilizer bars
• Twenty-inch aluminum wheels and P245/45R20 front/P275/40R20 rear tires (SS).

More than just new components, the new FE4 performance suspension incorporates learning from the ongoing development of the high-performance Camaro ZL1. In particular, the suspension geometry has been adjusted, including reshaped stabilizer bars that are repositioned outboard of the shock mounts. This results in more effective body control and more precise response in performance driving.

Interior, exterior and technology updates

The 2012 model year brings appearance, ergonomic and technology upgrades inside for Camaro drivers and passengers. The interior updates include a revised instrument panel appearance, with new instrument graphics and trim, as well as a new steering wheel design and a power lift feature for the front passenger seat. The steering wheel features a fresh new look and ergonomic improvements intended to support performance driving.

Also new for Camaro in 2012 is a Rear Vision Package, which adds a rearview camera system and an auto-dimming mirror to the existing Rear Park Assist feature. The rearview camera system complements the rear parking assist by providing a video display of the area behind the car, with the video image appearing in the car’s inside rearview mirror.

On the exterior for 2012, a new rear spoiler will be added as a standard feature for Camaro; and the taillamps that had been a part of the RS appearance package option are also being made standard. Additionally, a new, body-color “sharkfin” antenna joins the RS package.

Crystal Red Tintcoat replaces Red Jewel as an exterior color.

45th Anniversary package details

Launching this summer, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition commemorates both Camaro’s lineage and its 21^st-century revival. Camaro fans will get their first look at the 45th Anniversary Special Edition at the Camaro5 Fest II, April 15 in Arizona. The anniversary package will be offered on Camaro’s top two trim levels (2LT and 2SS) for both coupe and convertible body styles.

The exterior signature of the 45th Anniversary Special Edition is its unique rally stripe, in red and silver, that contrasts the Carbon Flash Metallic paint. The package also includes:

• Unique 45th Anniversary hood and deck stripes; badges located beneath the front fender emblems
• New-design 20-inch wheels in dark silver
• Fog lamp and taillamp bezels finished in dark silver
• RS-style taillamp lenses
• Standard rear spoiler and HID headlamps
• Body-color roof molding
• Jet Black interior with leather-trimmed seats featuring the 45th Anniversary logo
• White instrument panel and door trim inserts with the 45th Anniversary logo on the instrument panel
• Red, white and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob/boot, door armrests and console lid
• 45th Anniversary logo on the steering wheel and sill plates.

- By: Omar Rana

We’re still high off of the release of the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which recently made its debut at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Well, here is some additional good news for Camaro fans – Chevrolet will introduce a limited-edition Camaro approximately every six months in an effort to generate some buzz for the model.

Chevrolet plans on re-introducing names that are common with the Camaro’s historic past.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro.

“Our plan is to keep evolving the Camaro,” said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Camaro. “That is the beauty of the Camaro. It has so much of a rich heritage that we can put together the right combination of content. We have a lot of rich names to choose from.”

According to sources, Chevrolet is expected to released another limited edition 2012 Transformers edition of the Camrao that will be connected with Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the third part in the series.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News