Let me state up front that I’m one lucky guy to be able to do what I do. I do not take the job lightly and I don’t take it for granted and I thank God (and GM!) that I was selected to work on the car I dearly love. We are custodians of the brand - and with that comes great responsibility.

While anyone in the auto industry will tell you that it’s grueling (especially in the past 5 years…) and you put in ridiculous hours, many of us also have some great benefits………..such as participating in the C.T.F. program. (Captured Test Fleet) --

We put a fleet of cars into service long before we approve “Ship to commerce” – they’re called the “Captive Test Fleet” -- and we do that to ensure that we are shipping the best cars and trucks possible. (and yes, every vehicle line does this – there are tons of ‘Sonics’ cruising around the Motor City as we speak….)

Those of us who participate in the CTF program are expected to continually go over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb (so to speak) and immediately report ANYTHING that we see as incorrect, substandard or needing any sort of attention. We are expected to make reports a couple of times a week – and once we do, we then talk to individual ‘release’ engineers to see how we can solve problems found. Do we catch everything? We sure try to.

Here’s a picture of “Helios” (my CTF Convertible last winter) under a “Light Box” (those are all high intensity florescent light boxes) which allows you to see any surface imperfection or irregularity.



Anyway –

I was very much enjoying a CTF Camaro SS in ‘euro trim’ (configured for countries within the European union) -- I’d christened him “Klaus” --

…….when I got a telephone call yesterday:

(…and I love most of these telephone calls…)

“Hello, Mr. Settlemire – this is Tamara with Company Vehicles – I’d like to set up an appointment for you to take delivery of a 2012 Captured Test Fleet vehicle”

(..oh Tamara! – fix me up with a Camara!...)

(sorry – couldn’t resist….)

So – early this morning, I delivered “Klaus” to our company vehicle operations in Warren, MI –


…….and met for the first time “King Crimson.” (he’s Victory Red)


SS? Check!

RS? Check!

Hurst Shifter? Check!

Sunroof? Check!

Attitude? Check!Check!Check! and CHECK!!!


First impressions:

The I.P. insert and vent reveal molding gives the interior a new look - -and takes care of the concern that some of you had of “too much black vinyl” – and, when you order the gray (Titanium) leather seating surfaces, the insert is color keyed to the seating surfaces which is a nice contrast. The same is true when you order ‘Beige’ leather seating surfaces. As I recall, when you order the orange accent interior, the insert is black with orange stitching…………




Next – the ‘fonts’ on the I.P. Cluster on the SS model have changed – some complained that they were too large and close-together – we heard you – they’ve changed.




The suspension on the SS model has been revised – not only is the handling much improved, I also think it rides better on our Michigan roads. (Michigan roads in many places are in bad shape….)

I’m a fan of the electric door lock buttons on the door – which we’ve done for 2012 – the ‘center of the I.P.’ lock is something found on some European cars as well as those from Australia –

The rear back-up camera will be a welcome feature for many who have asked for one –

--and of course, I’m sure “Miss Ellen” will like the passenger power seat when we’re driving to Long Beach Island next week.

Here’s a couple of pics of “King Crimson” – and no, that’s not his ‘castle’ in the first pic…………





..and another with GM World Headquarters in the background………





Now – I didn’t post this to brag.

What I DO want you to know is that we continue to make many, many changes –most of them ‘under the skin’ – to continually improve a great car. I’ve worked with a lot of people over the years at GM – and I can safely say that the Camaro Team has a laser-like focus in all they do. Moreover – there is a ‘camaraderie’ that makes everyone look forward to working with each other.

Meanwhile – it’s a GREAT time to be a Camaro enthusiast!

Now – go enjoy your Camaros on this Independence Day weekend!

It goes without saying – but I’ll say it anyway:

>Seatbelts – each time, every time!

>Please don’t drink and drive!

Enjoy the holiday!


And long live the “King!”

 

Cool! How do you like the different steering wheel?

 

you are a very lucky person. what a great job.....my job sucks! love the new dash look. and i sure as hell would not want to put my car under the super bright lights of that room in the first picture....ouch. id be spending the whole week buffing after those lights.

 

scott, got a question for you......since there really hasnt been any exterior updates since the car came out, except the backup sensors, can we expect any slight exterior modifications for 2013? im not meaning a whole new design, but you know how certain cars hae slight changes year to year?

 

That is a good question. I like being able to look at the car from the exterior and be able to tell what year it is.

I've noticed some stuff to be able to to tell the year, but not always.
2010 models (early models) had the GM Badge of Excellence.
2011 2LT and 2SS have the HUD. You can kind of see that from the exterior
2012 Backup camera.

You also know the year of the car based on special editions or colors.
2010 ABM, Transformers Edition
2010/2011 RJT, Synergy Green
2011 Synergy series
2012 Crystal Red, 45th Anniversary

By the way the 45th Anniversary edition is a very sharp looking car.

 

2011 have back up sensors on the bumper. 2010 dont.

 

Scott, if you ever need someone in Texas to do captured fleet testing, let me know

 

Yes they do. One week after my car was built 9/2/09 the backup sensors were added and the GM badge of excellence was removed.

Besides that backup sensors were only on the 2LT and 2SS.

 

Very nice Scott! A few questions if I may...The material that is on the dash, is that real leather or some sort of leathette? Second, if a black interior is ordered on say a 2SS trim, is that material black as well and what about the stitching, black too? Thanks.

 

Scott,
How do you like the new steering wheel?
And can you ask the engineers if the current steering wheel can be swapped into a 2012? And swapped easily?

 

I'm liking the new dash inserts, that was one of my biggest peaves about the interior other than the gauge cluster looks like Johnny Five from the 80's movie Short Circuit. Now if we can just get rid of that AFM hp reduction on the auto we might have a winner and save me some dough over a 392 Challenger. Beautiful car Scott! Give us Electron Blue!

 

I love the contrasting dash insert (I've been excited about it since the ZL1 previewed it), and the new gauges are 10000x better than the slightly cartoonish current versions.

Very nice!!

 

thanks for the pics, really liking the contrasting dash insert.

 

Should be named "The Crimson King" from Stephen King's Dark Tower series.