2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible to debut in LA

What a great way to kick off the week – Chevrolet has just confirmed that the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible will make its world debut at the 2011 LA Auto Show next month. Sales of the most power Chevrolet convertible ever will start in late 2012.

“The Camaro ZL1 convertible will be one of the most powerful and most capable, convertibles available at any price,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top – or hit the gas.”

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Like the coupe, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible is powered by a 6.2 liter supercharged LSA V8 making 580-hp with a maximum torque of 556 lb-ft. Chevy says that’s enough to exceed the output of 2+2 convertibles of many performance icons, including:

  • 2012 Aston Martin DB9 Volante – 470 hp / 443 lb.-ft.
  • 2012 Mercedes SL63 AMG – 518 hp / 465 lb.-ft.
  • 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S – 530 hp / 516 lb.-ft.
  • 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 – 550 hp / 510 lb.-ft.

Chevy made some enhancements to the the Camaro ZL1 Convertible to keep a stiff body structure including, a tower-to-tower brace under the hood, a transmission support reinforcement brace, underbody tunnel brace and adding a front ‘X’ brace and stiffer cradle as well as rear underbody ‘V’ braces. Chevy engineers also added a hydrofoamed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers to reduce noise and vibration.

– By: Omar Rana