| Combining dramatic design and exciting performance,
the Chevrolet Camaro Concept recaptures the spirit of one of the most
popular sport coupes of all time and redefines the Camaro for new generations
of fans.
Chevrolet's
new Camaro concept at Detroit |
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The Camaro Concept embodies the performance and passion that have made
first-generation Camaros some of the most sought-after collector cars,
updating the formula with a fuel-efficient powertrain, sophisticated chassis
and contemporary design execution. The goal is to make the sport coupe
relevant to younger enthusiasts while retaining its appeal to its current
fans.
“Millions of people of all ages fell in love with the Camaro for
all of the right reasons,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, global
design. “Camaros were beautiful to look at and offered performance
that could rival expensive European GTs. Yet they were practical enough
to drive every day and priced within the reach of many new car buyers.”
Though only a show car at this point, the Camaro Concept is intended to
explore customer reaction to design and engineering elements that might
lead to an all-new version of the Camaro.
The long hood, short deck and wide stance of the Camaro Concept leave
no doubt that it is a serious performance car. Those looks are backed
up by a 400-horsepower aluminum small-bock V-8, a six-speed manual transmission,
and a sophisticated chassis with four-wheel independent suspension.
Like its forebears, the Camaro Concept would be practical enough for everyday
use. It features fuel-saving features like Active Fuel Management™
cylinder deactivation technology, yielding highway fuel economy of 30
mpg or better. Its overall size is a comfortable fit for city streets
and suburban parking lots, and its back seat provides occasional seating
for two adults.
Because of Camaro’s powerful heritage, the GM Design team chose
a theme that pays homage to the original Camaro, while being instantly
recognizable as an all-new car.
Said Bob Boniface, director of the Warren Advanced Design Studio, “The
fact that the Camaro has been out of production for a number of years
made it particularly important that the Camaro Concept honors the Camaro
heritage in the right way.”
The 1969 Camaro, considered by many to be the best first-generation design,
was a significant inspiration. But as GM design teams in Warren, Mich.,
worked on alternatives for the Camaro Concept, they also turned to the
latest Corvette and to aircraft like the YF-22, seeking a design that
encompasses the spirit that made the 1969 Camaro great, but interprets
that spirit in a fresh, exciting way.
“The overall proportions, long hood and powerful fender forms say,
‘This is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive performance vehicle,’
” said Tom Peters, design director, rear-wheel drive performance
cars. The prominent front grille and hood bulge hint at the power of the
Corvette-inspired V-8 engine. Large wheels and tires, exposed high-performance
brakes and prominent fender shapes signal that the Camaro Concept has
the handling and braking to go with the powertrain.
The cockpit of the Camaro nestles between sharply defined fender forms,
a design element inspired by fighter planes and the new Corvette. And
like any high-performance vehicle, the clean, purposeful design is integral
to the aesthetic. “The Camaro Concept isn’t just a styled
shape,” said Peters. “The design incorporates what the vehicle
needs to perform to its optimum level.”
The same purposeful design is reflected in the interior of the Camaro
Concept. The gauges and splash of orange trim hint at classic first-generation
Camaros, but the overall design and execution reflect the no-nonsense
functionality that drivers expect from a high-performance Chevrolet sports
car.
The Camaro Concept features the latest generation of GM’s legendary
small-block V-8. The 6.0-liter LS2 engine features an aluminum block and
heads for light weight, and Active Fuel Management™, which shuts
off four cylinders to save fuel when the engine is lightly loaded. This
concept version of the LS2 is rated at 400 horsepower, yet it could also
deliver more than 30 mpg at highway speeds.
The Camaro Concept’s six-speed manual transmission provides a wide
spread of ratios for aggressive acceleration off the line, confident passing
and merging and efficient highway cruising.
Modern sports cars are about more than just straight-line speed, so the
Camaro Concept features a sophisticated rear-wheel drive chassis. Its
independent front and rear suspension features progressive-rate springs
and gas-pressurized dampers. Four-wheel vented disc brakes with 14-inch
rotors provide confident stopping under all conditions.
Enhancing both the performance and appearance of the Camaro Concept are
unique five-spoke cast alloy wheels, 21 inches in the front and 22 inches
in the rear.
Designed in the mid-1960s, the first-generation Camaro captured the optimism
of an era. The Baby Boomers were in their teens, rock-and-roll and Motown
ruled the airwaves, and American culture was sweeping the globe.
Like the Impala, Chevelle and Sting Ray, the new Camaro showcased Chevy’s
strength of bringing stylish, high-quality cars to a mainstream audience.
Its dramatic proportions and graceful lines recalled both the Corvette
and the Italian Gran Turismo cars of the era. And its powertrain lineup,
which soon included both the potent Z-28 small block and big block 396s
and 427s, gave the Camaro the performance to go with its looks.
But what really made the Camaro an American icon was that it was accessible
to millions. Chevy sold more than 699,000 Camaros in its first three years.
So for every Z-28 taking the checkered flag at the track, there were thousands
of less exotic Camaros cruising the drive-ins, picking up the groceries,
or taking the family on vacation.
“The Camaro Concept is designed to have that same broad appeal,
with unmistakable style, spirit and performance,” said Welburn.
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