CHEVROLET CAMARO
CONCEPT:
CAPTURING THE TIMELESS SPIRIT OF CAMARO
- Thoroughly modern
interpretation of the classic sport coupe
- Dramatic design, responsive
performance
DETROIT – 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.
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.
Lean, muscular design
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.
Performance for the real world
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.
An American icon
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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