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Official 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

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Old 11-16-2010, 08:38 AM
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Arrow Official 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

FRONT PAGE NEWS!



For release: Nov. 16, 2010, 12:01 a.m. PST

NEW CAMARO CONVERTIBLE BLENDS TOP-DOWN DRIVING FUN WITH PRECISE ENGINEERING

  • On sale in February 2011
  • Well-tailored fabric top
  • Acoustical headliner for quietness and easy-to-use single latch
  • Robust, reinforced structure supports a sports coupe-like driving experience
  • Better torsional stiffness than BMW 3-Series convertible

LOS ANGELES – The segment-leading Chevrolet Camaro opens a new chapter as the 2011 Camaro convertible premieres at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The new convertible begins production in January and goes on sale in February. It includes an enhanced body structure and well-tailored top mechanism – a combination designed to deliver sports coupe-like driving fun and precise quality.

“The launch of the new convertible opens Camaro design and performance to a new set of potential customers,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The 21st century revival of Camaro is tremendously popular, so it’s a natural to now expand and elevate the product range in new directions.”

The convertible will be offered in similar model configurations as the Camaro coupe. The standard model will have a 312-horsepower direct injection V-6 engine delivering 29 mpg highway. The SS model will feature the 6.2L V-8 engine producing 426 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.

Camaro seized leadership in U.S. sales in its segment with the original coupe model that launched in spring 2009 as a 2010 model. The right to purchase one of the first convertibles was recently sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction for $205,000, with all proceeds donated to charity. The 2011 Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro convertibles, a group of 100 exclusive cars with custom-designed elements and priced at $75,000 each, sold out in only three minutes.

The Camaro convertible delivers great refinement, along with uncompromising, coupe-like driving dynamics. Its enhanced body structure helps prevent cowl or steering wheel shake, for a strong, confident feel in all driving conditions. The top has a smooth, tailored fit, with acoustical foam in the headliner that helps deliver a quiet ride with the top up.

Camaro convertible is offered in 1LT/2LT (V-6) and 1SS/2SS (V-8) trim packages and priced from $30,000 MSRP (including $850 destination). Nine production exterior colors are available, with tops offered in black or tan. Rear parking assist is standard on all convertible models.

Strong structure
The Camaro’s architecture was designed to accommodate a convertible model, which means customers enjoy the fun of top-down cruising with coupe-like driving dynamics. Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body structure to eliminate common convertible maladies of cowl and steering wheel shake. They include:
  • A tower-to-tower brace under the hood
  • A transmission support reinforcement brace
  • Underbody tunnel brace
  • Front and rear underbody “V” braces.

“Our goal in development was to make the convertible match the coupe as closely as possible in ride quality, handling and overall performance,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer.

A telling example of the Camaro convertible’s strength is evidenced in its suspension tuning – specifically, the lack of changes between the convertible and coupe models.

“To compensate for the reduced structure of an open car, engineers often will make the suspension softer, making the convertible a boulevard cruiser,” said Oppenheiser. “Instead, we took the more difficult, but better path of bolstering structure rather than softening the suspension. We didn’t change a strut, bushing or spring rate from the Camaro coupe.”

The result is a convertible that preserves nearly all the acceleration, road-holding and performance capabilities of the Camaro coupe.

Additional safety structural reinforcements are designed to improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also contributing to the elimination of cowl/steering wheel shake. They include a hydrofromed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.

The structural changes to the Camaro convertible body give it superior bending and torsional stiffness than its closest competitor, and better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3-Series convertible.

Exceptional top refinement
At the outset, designers and engineers sought to eliminate the common appearance of convertible top support ribs and they succeeded, using composite knuckles rather than aluminum ones, as well as extending the top material below the belt line and revising the top’s stitch lines. The result is a top that has a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that also retains the sleek roofline of the coupe.

The power-folding top retracts in about 20 seconds. It is built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette convertible top, and operates in a similar manner. That means it folds in a simple “Z” pattern and latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Other convertible models in this segment still offer convertible tops with dual latches, forcing drivers into two-hand operations reaching across the car.

Once the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and activates the top. The car doesn’t have to be parked for the top to be activated, allowing for spur-of-the-moment lowering while stopped at a stoplight.

The top is made of thick, durable canvas and it features acoustical headliner material that provides a quiet, coupe-like ride when the top is up. It also incorporates a glass rear window and rear window defogger.

A folding, one-piece tonneau cover is standard on 2LT and 2SS models and optional on 1LT/1SS. It covers the folded top for a finished appearance. An accessory windscreen is available from Chevrolet dealers. It installs behind the front seats to limit wind buffeting when driving with the top down.

Additional details
A myriad of fine details distinguish Camaro convertible models, including:
  • The OnStar/XM/AM-FM radio antenna moves to the deck lid on LT models without the RS package
  • The radio antenna is embedded in the rear spoiler on RS-equipped LT and SS models
  • The trunk lock cylinder is moved to the rear seat area for a cleaner exterior appearance
  • A new subwoofer design is located in the trunk between the rear seats.

Because the combined OnStar/XM/AM-FM radio antenna is mounted on the roof of coupe models, it had to be relocated on the convertible. On RS-equipped LT models and SS models, which include a rear spoiler, a small “shark fin” OnStar/XM antenna is mounted on the deck lid, while the AM/FM radio antenna is hidden inside the rear spoiler. This patent-pending design creates a sleeker appearance. For LT models without a rear spoiler (without the RS package), the combined antenna is located in the center of the deck lid.

The relocation of the trunk lock cylinder also cleans up the Camaro convertible’s appearance, moving from the panel between the taillamps to a discreet area between the rear seat back cushion and driver’s side interior panel. The change retains full, lockable access to the trunk, with the keyless remote fob also offering easy trunk access.

Finally, the subwoofer – either an eight-inch unit with the base sound system or a 10-inch subwoofer with the available Boston Acoustics system – is relocated from the trunk to an area between the rear seat cushions.

Performance
Camaro LT convertible models are offered with a 3.6L direct injection (DI) V-6 that delivers more power through increased efficiency, while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions – including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. It is rated at 312 horsepower (232 kW) and 278 lb.-ft. of torque (370 Nm). Peak fuel economy with the direct injection V-6 is 29 miles per gallon on the highway.

Two 6.2L V-8 engines are offered in Camaro SS models, including the L99 on automatic-equipped vehicles and the LS3 on manual-equipped models. Both engines are derived from the LS3 that debuted on the 2008 Corvette, with an aluminum block (with cast iron cylinder liners) and aluminum cylinder heads. Horsepower for the L99 is 400 (298 kW) and torque is 410 lb.-ft. (556 Nm). The LS3 develops 426 horsepower (318 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. (569 Nm).

The L99 features the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management System, which saves fuel by shutting down half of the engine’s cylinders during certain light-load driving conditions, such as highway cruising.

All Camaro models can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The Aisin AY6 six-speed manual is standard with the 3.6L engine, and a Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic is optional. A Tremec TR 6060 six-speed manual is standard on the SS, and the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic is optional.

About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., the Chevrolet portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly" solutions, such as the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco model that is expected to deliver an estimated 42 mpg highway, and 2011 Chevrolet Volt that will offer up to 25-50 miles of electric driving and an additional 310 miles of extended range with the onboard generator (based on GM testing). Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

# # #
See attached PDF for this release PLUS specs!
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Old 11-16-2010, 08:52 AM
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Arrow Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

See attached for single image of complete specs.
Attached Thumbnails Official 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!-2011_camaro_convertible_specs.jpg  
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Old 11-16-2010, 09:10 AM
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Post MORE CONVERTIBLE News! RELEASED - VIDEO'S!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-uIP...layer_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_750...layer_embedded






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Old 11-16-2010, 09:27 AM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

WOW! I beat Scotty this time!!

Thanks for the YouTube videos and additional images, buddy!
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Old 11-16-2010, 09:41 AM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

Originally Posted by JasonD
WOW! I beat Scotty this time!!

Thanks for the YouTube videos and additional images, buddy!
You're welcome! I had to work on my site and facebook at the same time...and redo some images to make them easy to read!

BTW - STAY TUNED TO THIS THREAD Tomorrow.... We'll have even MORE news direct to the dealerships from the Camaro Team via GM webcast.... and if it's news, it will be in this thread!
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Old 11-16-2010, 10:30 AM
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Arrow NEWS: Officially Official: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible [w/videos]

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

Heads up, fifth-gen Camaro fans: General Motors has just released a full slate of official information on the drophead version of Chevrolet's muscle car. The topless bruiser has undergone a significant amount of reinforcement to cope with the loss of structural rigidity that comes along with shaving a vehicle's roof structure, and by bracing at the transmission, transmission tunnel and strut towers, GM claims that the Camaro Convertible has better torsional rigidity than the BMW 3 Series Convertible.

The convertible makes use of a folding softtop built by the same folks responsible for the unit in the Corvette, so it's probably reasonable to expect the same center-handle locking mechanism. GM says that the top folks away in around 20 seconds. When up, the top uses composite knuckles to help do away with the traditional convertible roof ribbed look.

Like the hardtop, the Camaro Convertible will be available in both V6 and V8 trims starting at $30,000. Destination will cost you another $850. For that price, you get a row-your-own six-speed manual transmission, though a six-speed auto is also available. Something tells us that a manual-equipped Camaro Convertible is going to be a rare bird indeed.

Look for the Camaro Convertible to land on dealer lots in February of next year, but before that, you can expect a full slate of images and impressions from its introduction at the LA Auto Show later this week. While you're waiting, hit the jump to have a look at the press release as well as a few videos of the softtop in action.


Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible



[Source: General Motors]Continue reading Officially Official: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible [w/videos]

Officially Official: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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Old 11-16-2010, 11:22 AM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

Pretty cool how they hide the XM antenna inside the spoiler on cars with the RS package. Although I am not a fan of the looks of the convertible with the top up, it looks like GM did a great job with this car quality wise. They put a lot of thought into the design. They even go as far to make the convertible latch with a single handle instead of the standard two latch design which makes you reach over to the passenger side area. I hope the car sells well.
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Old 11-16-2010, 12:19 PM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

is the RS package not an option on it? it doesnt say anything in there about it.
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Old 11-16-2010, 12:26 PM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

Originally Posted by Slappy3243
Pretty cool how they hide the XM antenna inside the spoiler on cars with the RS package.
The story is a bit misleading. I initially got excited as well, but then later they state:
On RS-equipped LT models and SS models, which include a rear spoiler, a small “shark fin” OnStar/XM antenna is mounted on the deck lid, while the AM/FM radio antenna is hidden inside the rear spoiler. This patent-pending design creates a sleeker appearance. For LT models without a rear spoiler (without the RS package), the combined antenna is located in the center of the deck lid.
There still is a shark fin the spoiler cars, its just slightly smaller.
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Old 11-16-2010, 12:47 PM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

Hopefully it sells well.
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Old 11-16-2010, 03:11 PM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

4112 lbs. for the M6 version.

Still an absolutely drop dead sexy bitch of a car (seriously, ), but I was hoping the weight gain wouldn't be quite this big. In its defense, it is in line with, or better than, some other convertibles, but I think the Mustang droptop is only ~150 lbs heavier than the coupe, vs. about 250 for the Camaro.

On the other hand, the Mustang droptop supposedly suffers somewhat noticeably from the effects of being a droptop, though the few '05-'09 models I've driven didn't seem too bad (but I wasn't driving aggressively). Perhaps the Camaro manages this better.

Still sounds appalling to think of a 4100 lb 2+2. That's not far from what a '96 Impala SS weighed...

Of course, the CTS-V weighs ~4300 lbs, and it has some serious ***** (and can handle rather well). Nothing some extra hp can't overcome (for street use, at least, which is how I'd use the car anyway). I'll just have to get used to it, if I ever get one.

It is interesting that they were able to shave 200 lbs off the Cruze for the special "Eco" version of that car. And it was much lighter than Camaro to start with. I'm convinced it can be done, but I'm sure in today's climate, an Eco version of the Cruze with 42 mpg hwy was a bit higher priority than shaving 200 lbs from the hot-selling, non-Eco Camaro. Perhaps a little later they can work some of that magic (on ALL of the product lines).

Last edited by 96_Camaro_B4C; 11-16-2010 at 07:57 PM.
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Old 11-16-2010, 03:17 PM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

Chris, when you ordering one????
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Old 11-16-2010, 04:43 PM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

It gained ~265 lbs. It is what it is.

Nice looking car for sure.
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Old 11-16-2010, 04:53 PM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

Yep, it got a bit heavier. No one should be surprised at this.

People want a drop top? Sacrifices need to be made.
People want a coupe-like ride with that drop top? The pieces to make it stiffer add weight. It is physics.
People want it affordable? Don't expect those pieces to be exotic.

BTW...anyone who comes here to ruin this thread for the other 99% of the people who don't want to read the same stale crying about weight will have their posts deleted. Please find another site for that broken record. Everyone else will thank you for it.
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Old 11-16-2010, 05:05 PM
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Re: Offical 2011 Camaro Convertible Press Release - WITH COMPLETE SPECS!

Originally Posted by CamaroScotty
Chris, when you ordering one????
If it was available when I ordered my 2010, I would have probably had a tough decision to make.

I'll just borrow someone elses
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