Camaro Convertible Revealed
By Ed Peper
North America Vice President, Chevrolet
A few months ago, we showed you some official “spy shots” of the pre-production version of the new Camaro coupe.
To say the least, response to that post was overwhelmingly enthusiastic – something that was extremely gratifying to all of us here at Chevrolet, who have been hard at work testing and retesting the Camaro development models.
As a reward for your interest – and your patience – here’s a sneak peek of the convertible version of the Camaro, which is also undergoing a similar evaluation as we ready it for full production later next year. (Preproduction models shown. Actual production models may vary.)
145 Comments
Leave a Reply
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
Very nice, Ed. Can you say if that is the design for the final production headlights?
I guess we can safely assume those are the production headlamps. Dang Ed, I thought the coupe was nice, but the convertible is sexy… even with the top up!
I just may have to buy one of each now.
Can we get some high res photos? I would like to see how close the top follows the coupes body lines. Cool stuff though.
Awesome job on that top!! I’ve never seen one that keeps such a close resemblance to the coupe! And thanks, Ed: We Camaro-nutjobs like being rewarded.
I swear, if you guys don’t sell a million of these cars, I’ll be surprised! (okay, so I exagerrated a little bit)
And, I gotta ask, too…try to keep Scott from hitting me…are those the real headlights?
Ed,
All I can say is PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE offer the convertible in an SS variant!!!
Here’s to hoping!
Nathan
In the words of Johnny Bravo….Ohhhhh Mama!!
Standard: 2.0 L I4 Ecotec engine equipped with a dual-scroll turbocharger. 260 HP
Middle: The 3.6 L (3564 cc) LLT direct injected version of the LY7. 302 HP
SS: A G8 GXP 6.2 liter 402 hp (300 kW) V8 and a 6-speed manual transmission
Great. Gasoline in the U.S. just passed $4.00 per gallon and is headed towards $5.00. And more than 100 million new cars will hit the roads in China and India in the next five years putting even more of a strain on oil supplies, driving the price of gas even higher.
The quality of life in America is about to change drastically, and you want the American public to get excited about a convertible with an internal combustion engine that rightly belongs in the 1960’s.
What exactly is the market you see for this car as motor fuel prices continue to spike, and an ever-growing percentage of consumer income must go to pay those higher prices?
Man this car just keeps looking better and better.
Thanks for the pictures Ed!
Tim De Young
5thGen.org
Very nice car. You should sell it worldwide, including my country (Brazil). You already sell a Zeta here (the Aussie Omega AKA Holden VE Commodore) so we can expect a lot of components in common, easying the life of the dealers network.
But I’m expecting the Alpha basis. This platform, if correctly managed, would be the redemption for us, who want a RWD car, but not so expensive. A lot of people in the world just buy the 3-Series because it’s the nearest to an honestly-priced RWD ride with a rational size. Make something like this, priced like a FWD mid-size car, as spacious as a 5-Series and also very easy to assemble in any part of the world and you’ll have a winner in hands.
Very nice car. You should sell it worldwide, including my country (Brazil). You already sell a Zeta here (the Aussie Omega AKA Holden VE Commodore) so we can expect a lot of components in common, easying the life of the dealers network.
But I’m expecting the Alpha basis. This platform, if correctly managed, would be the redemption for us, who want a RWD car, but not so expensive. A lot of people in the world just buy the 3-Series because it’s the nearest to an honestly-priced RWD ride with a rational size. Make something like this, priced like a FWD mid-size car, as spacious as a 5-Series and also very easy to assemble in any part of the world and you’ll have a winner in hands.
That’s an incredibly attractive car. Regardless of fuel prices, it’ll sell quicker than you can make them.
By the way, do GM bloggers get a discount? I want one!
Ed,
Just looked at the production pics in my July Road & Track. Why is the interior so freakin ugly? It reminds me of the overly plasticky hodgepodge Pontiac interior designs of the 80’s – and that is not a good thing. The outside is drop dead gorgeous, but you guys fell way short in the interior. Look’s like Bo and his team took the cheap route – and Chevy will be the ultimate loser. It’s too bad, really.
Wow… very very nice… I hope that those headlights make it for the production…
NICE!!!
bob since the 3800 eng. is going away in cars put it in the small truck.It gets great mpg.We need relief now.Sure would like to see a four clyinder diesel to.
Ed,
This is a great looking car. Let’s hope it doesn’t vary too much from the concept. The headlights and tail lights are perfect on the concept. The wheels shown here are nice.
Things are really looking good for Chevy with the new products. The Malibu is a winner. Keep the new designs coming. We love them.
Mr. Peper,
Thank you for sharing these photos.
After all, if there’s interest for many of the Internet car sites to post “spy” shots of the Camaro, why at this point shouldn’t GM put some actual ones on its official site?
Now could you please do this here for all of your brands, such as the production version of the stylish Buick Invicta?
GM should be the first one to start a buzz about its cars, not the last!
- Christopher Popa
Wow! Sexy! One question: how much does this thing weigh? Actually, two. Are you guys really thinking about putting a turbo-four into this bad boy?
So no Chevy emblem on the front?
WHEN CAN I GET MY DROP TOP!
I like it as a current 2001 Trans Am WS6 convertible owner.
Hopes for the Camaro convertible as my potential next car: Bring on a turbo charged four hybrid. I want performance and economy. Or, at least, give me auto shutoff at traffic lights to help save gas (mild hybrid?)
Make the back seats more usable than the last gen cars.
Please, please give me an integrated power boot rather than the last gen’s three piece or a cloth boot.
The styling is great and here’s hoping the production car’s interior stays true to the concept and isn’t anywhere close to the spyshots floating out there.
Wow. I am stunned at how well they got that top to fit!
Simply amazing… I would happily wait an extra year for the look and the wind-in-your-face experience.
Keep up the good work, Ed!
I am 6′ 1″, so wonder if I will fit in either the coupe or convertible? The roof looks very low.
If you make it on the Volt platform for $30,000 or less, I will rename my first born to Ed.
I love this car. I would love to have one if gas wasn’t at $4 and going up..
I know about the 4 turbo you guys have planed for this car…. I have a bad feeling this is gonna be a temporary run. Heck even Ford is way down on making the Mustang.
@ Rum Doodle;
Why don’t you petition BMW & MB to stop making the 7 & S series? Or lexus to drop their LF-S?
People want this car, the Camaro is a great looking, great performing car. If you don’t like it say so and leave it at that. Comment on the car, leave the world’s economy out of this.
Please just make it affordable
, get it here!!!!!!!!! If the ragtop is close to the price of the Mustang im in!!As for fuel economy I think the AFM or displacment on demand is fine for me Please GM again just make it affordable,
Ed, I can’t wait until I can actually hug one myself! It looks fantastic and as I told Bob Lutz in this very space when the Concept version was in discussion, don’t bastardize it and it’ll sell like crazy! You didn’t and it will! I’m glad there will be many different versions too. I think the 2.0 duel scroll turbo is a great idea. It has more power than my 89 Iroc-Z had! Plus, I think by this time next year there will be alot of people tired of all the econo-cars being pushed on them because of fuel prices. Everybody over at Camaro5.com is excited and appreciates the occasional posts by some of you also! I’m Camaro10 by the way!
Thanks again, can’t wait to see it in the flesh!!
I just looked over a SRT challenger, nice piece, Big wheels, More rear seat room than Mustang, but I don’t have any headroom on a sunroof equipped car, the top don’t drop, and it’ a f–k’n Chrysler, I love my 69 Camaro conv. my C-6 vett, and even my 02 Malibu.
Ed,
I knew there’d be a good share of nay-sayers to post here with the whole gas price thing going on, but I’ve been following the development of the Camaro since even before it was official from Rick back in August of ‘06. I am an avid participant in many forums dedicated to following the development to the 5th gen Camaro, and have held great discussions with a certain “father” whose initials are SS (I think you know who I am talking about).
I have no doubt this Camaro will NOT be a gas hog of the old days when cast iron, carburated engines and only 3 or 4 speeds in the trans meant you were lucky to get 20 mpg. I have no fear that the 3.6 VVT will yield 30 or more on the highway and around 20 in the city. The LS3 MPG ratings should surprise alot of people as well.
This car is going to sell. If for anything, its unique in style and has a historical pedigree – I think people are going to tire very quickly of driving around in cars that all look the same.
Great job on the Camaro! I have a good sized down payment already saved (thanks to the fact you made the announcement over 2 years before production).
~ “leave the world’s economy out of this.”
McLovin,
If you don’t understand or care about what happens in China, India, Brazil, and other countries over the next 5-10 years that’s your business. But whether you care or not, they will affect your future lifestyle.
And the world economy will have a direct effect on the future of GM. Cars such as the next-generation Camaro are no more than a sideshow — and I even bet that GM realizes that.
Does anyone else feel that you have seen this car so many times it feels old now? and it hasnt even been released! We have been seeing photos of this vehicle for the past few years (including Transformers movie) and now to me it doesn’t feel special. Actually, it seems worse because we see nothing but the prototype and now it looks not as cool since it will be dumb down for the public. The new mustang coming out has been hidden from the public for awhile and when it will debut, it will be ready in a year for release. I am not saying it doesn’t look good, I am just comparing it to a big blockbuster, all this hype (+2 years) for the best stuff we have already seen in the preview. I hope they are making a new body because it has already been out for almost 3 years.
sigh….:)
Camaro Team:
Stunning! Nice job and great looks!
Not much else to say other then when Can I order my coupe?
Nice looking car. Scale it down to resonable size, put the car on a diet (are 20″s really necessary?) and I’d buy one!
Looks great, BUT, GM needs another 4 seat convertible that is upscale. It is time to bring a convertible with a backseat to Buick and Cadillac. What are you waiting for? If you can turn the Enclave into an Acadia, Outlook, and Traverse, surely the Saab 9-3 can become a Riviera and Caddy convertible.
The soft top is going to be a huge hit in Calif. We have received over 100 calls with requests for the convertible so far and it will only increase. Chevy has finally put some wind back in Chevy muscle car fans sails.
I have just added another review to our site here:
http://www.2010-Chevroelt-Camaro.com
and hope everyone would enjoy it.
The Chevy Guy
Ed,
This is a great car! I was just 17 when I got my 67 convertible, then I went to an 69 and then to a 85. I have been waitting for this one since I first viewed it! I’m not 48 and will get one. Just a thought…do you need a cute little spokes person here in AZ? I’ve got the “little” part down pat!
Thanks!
“As goes GM goes America”. That is an incredible car. Will people want it or will they stand in line to buy a rolling coffin called a SmartCar?
I’d love a new Camero, have fond memories of my first one. However, I live 49 miles form work and gas is killing me, gonna have to pass.
I am really sad about what is going on with our country now. All the layoffs, gas prices. Please support these people:
http://www.AmericansForJobsAndEnergy.org/
Maybe Fastlane can send people over there? This is getting serious folks, lets do something!
Chevy guy,
I will also email you personally through that web site you’ve posted, but you have posted some presumputous and incorrect information about the Camaro that we KNOW of to this point:
Of main concern, the V8 engine has NOT been officially named (not even to dealers or high ranking representatives – only the Camaro engineering team and the 12 disciples, who had to sign a confidentiality agreement which to this day I’m sure none of them violated, know what engine will be in the SS or Z/28), but common sense would dictate it would most likely be the LS3, NOT the LS2 as you have stated on your website (the LS3 is in the G8 GT, and the LS2 is an older engine design)…. so what I’m asking is that you do not post information that you do not know to be true.
I would also submit that tire and brake sizes are also not finalized – those tire sizes you’ve seen in spy pics are on IVER cars, not final spec. Same goes for brake sizes – again, nothing has been finalized or officially released to the public.
I have to say it irritates me when dealerships say things to be true that they do not know, only to pump the exitement of the car up so they can justify an insipid dealer markup.
I’ll also advise anyone reading that to take it with a grain of salt. I’m sure the Camaro engineering team and General Motors would appreciate if you change the tone and information of that web site to better reflect what we see in spy pics is still nothing more than speculative.
Dear Ed,
I was just wondering,is the Camaro going to have T-top’s or sunroof,or maybe even a de-tachable roof.
Very nice …. classic body lines are prevalent from the past. Front and rear are beautiful and tough looking at the same time …. except one thing. Grille is a little too smiley faced …. it’s saying “Hi, my name is Cam !”
Straighten it out please. The only other thing is finesse the underbody to fit wider meats in the back … they look too narrow already ! Diameters are perfect. Don’t make the same mistake Mustang and Challenger did with their tires … too narrow … when you drive behind them you’ll see what I’m talking about. Funny looking for the type of image they’re supposed to uphold.
Does anyone else realize the economy is in a transitional phase? Yes gas is $4 but the dollar has deprecated exponentially. Once the market equalizes and reaches an equilibrium, prices will retreat and crude oil will be less expensive to import. Thus the price of gas WILL fall. Just give it some time.
I was wondering if that Camaro I saw with the Mfg plate was an IVER or PreProduction on Sun. June 14th in Suburban Detroit. It was a nice Fathers day for someone, me included, my kids spotted it before I did. They were drooling to see one on the road asking when it’s supposed to hit the market, because I work for GM.But I was suprised because of the Autoblog.com, spy photos showing a camo’d Camaro a couple of days before, missed out on a non-camo’d Camaro, and Glossy Black at that running the roads for all to see its glorious lines and sheen without the copyrighted letters of someones name for rights to a photo in a trade mag or blog. In the words of the Great One…Oh, how sweet it is!!!! My only regret is that we have just purchased a Malibu and have a one year old Acadia and could not justify another car when it does go on sale. Will have to wait…by the way if gas was $6/gal. I would still buy one..V6 or Turbo Four…Its the Design I love not just the fuel economy. Who knows when our Malibu wears out maybe by then there will be a Hybrid Ext. Range EV Camaro. Who knows?
~ “Once the market equalizes and reaches an equilibrium, prices will retreat and crude oil will be less expensive to import. Thus the price of gas WILL fall.”
What? There are hundreds of millions of Indians and Chinese about to move into the middle-class. They will all want cars so they can emulate the lifestyle they see in Western Europe and North America. (And who can blame them?)
There were plenty of resources in the world to let markets equalize when only Western Europeans and North Americans were the primary consumers. It’s a completely different case when the entire world wants to consume at the same rate as we do.
I don’t share your hope that the markets for vital resources will stabilize. If everyone in the world consumed at the rate we North Americans do, it would take 2 1/2 worlds worth of resources to supply the demand. The last time I checked, there is only one world for us to tap into.
Dang it! Now you’ve done it, if the price is reasonable (in the vicinity of a G6 retractable) then I may have to reconsider trading in for a new G8 and instead add a Camaro softtop to the family stable.
Since the hartop Camaro is still not for sale after all these years, I find it hard to get excited about the convertible. With the fuel economy more on the forefront, the retro ponycar market may be history before you finally get into production ! The original Camaro trailed the Mustang intro by a couple years too, but not this much !
Ed, looks great. You’re doing great work with the brand!
Brian Clark
I have a Solstice GXP and that small 2.0 turbo is the cat’s meow. Why not use the 2.8 V6 turbo as the new Z28? Better mileage and power on demand. The small block LS is a great engine, but with the price of gas, the 2.8 turbo makes sense, it’s already in the Saab’s and a twin turbo would make a true Z28.
Nice!! looks very good. however the back side windows are smaller than the coupes. Really I think that it should resemble the coupe design more closely. Personally I think that the ultimate 2010 camaro convertible should have a hard top roof convertible just like the 2008 Pontiac G6.
- almost looks as nice as the new Dodge Challenger on the street right now . If someone wants a nice 60 musclecar. This Camaro is a Beauty though. They Retro’ed it just right.
-good luck
sell and million of em and GM stays open for another year.
I have read about the ‘delay’ or ‘poor timing’ comments and would like to rebuff these very simply! Without insulting anyones intelligence. But don’t good things take time to do, and bad things happen really fast? Case in point; Malibu/CTS didn’t happen overnite, yet both have been sold very well and have received numerous accolades from Consumers Report to Car & Driver. No one sniped about the timing for the C6 or ZR1 which will be one of the fastest production cars comparable to Lamborghini or Ferrari with Chevrolet pricing.
So why ding the Camaro so much about the timing? Remember what happened when GM rushed the SSR and GTO in, everyone sounded like they wanted it but the sales proved otherwise.
In this case the Camaro will be what it’s meant to be a new version of an old favorite. Not a flash in the pan mediocre vehicle without foundation. And to counter the issue with someone’s forecast about pony cars becoming too late. At least this is not putting on a set of modified skin atop of a modern day chassis and powertrain with updated electronics. This car, the Camaro, is a ‘clean sheet design’ paying tribute to some classic form and function. So give the General some credit, it’s not a rush job!
Truly, some will purchase it for those merits alone, others will just plain, “GOTTA HAVE IT!”. Patience is truly a virtue, not just a cliche’. And finally not everyone has to buy it, just those who truly want to spend their hard earned money on what they want no matter the critics!
The car looks great, but its too little too late. Too much hype in the beginning and now its dwindling down. As the saying goes, you must strike when the iron is hot, but this iron has been sat out in the rain. Turbo 4 option or not, its going to sell well for a short-time as people already put money away. But, its going the way of the GTO after that. I myself love the car, but now am at a point where I would rather take the G8 GT and get my satifaction now. Im not the only one who echos this…
Absolutely awesome! This will be the best GM product in years, besides the CTS. The Camaro is gonna be a huge hit when it goes on sale next year. Hopefully the top folds flush with the body, giving it a clean, sleek look. Can’t wait to get one.
Way to show up at the party too late GM!
At 4.50 per gallon in CA and 15mpg, that’s $45 every 150 miles.
Use it as a daily driver for 15k miles a year, and that’s $4500 in gas.
Own it 5 years and you’ll have spent $22.5k in gas alone, and then there are the car payments (including the usual dealer gouging) on top of that.
If it’s not coming out until 2010, how about throwing the Volt drivetrain underneath.
OT-we have seen pics of the next Cobalt front and back and I have to say you had better go back to the drawing board. It looks cheap and Korean. Why didnt you just let whoever designed the Traverse and Malibu design the Cobalt? What has GMDAT ever produced that wasn’t garbage? The Aveo is the worst car in its segment.
We all expected the next Cobalt to go up against the Mazda 3, not the Hyundai Accent.
If you fail with the next Cobalt and Astra, its curtains for GM.
John, it’s coming out within months: early 2009. It’s MODEL YEAR will be a 2010.
So completely revamping the car at this point would be unbelieveably dumb. And since the Volt drivetrain isn’t even ready for the Volt, yet…I daresay that’s gonna be a problem with throwing it under a totally different car.
I do wonder where you got those mpg numbers from…expect more like 26-27mpg highway out of the Camaro V6. Yeah — it’s gonna be that good.
And regarding the prototype Cobalt (if that’s what it is), I think if you guys flattened the roof a bit, like the current Cobalt, it will help the aggressive/sporty look tremendously. I want to stress the interior of the little car; please improve it from the current model: less hard plastic, namely. Other than that, I think you’re on the verge of another hit. The Cobalt right now is just ‘okay’, and it’s still selling amazingly well; good Job!!
Just curious if this vehicle will be part of a hybrid line, I know its a sports car but offering a hybrid with looks like this would be very attractive.
Wowzer… what could have been a great convertible is the typical GM stinker, they’ve cheaped out yet again by making the camaro with a soft top. Even mazda miatas are available with as a hard top convertible. I’ll wait and see what Chrysler comes up with.
I don’t like the way GM does not talk about the real gas mileage these vehicles can achieve. The corvette can get almost 30 MPG…with 505 HP that is awesome. The Camaro will probably be capable of 30 or so also. Yes you have to drive with the cruise on and be civil but thats ok when you need to save gas. The best part is the power is still under the hood when you have a little extra gas money in your pocket. Cracker jack cars get high 30’s people need to realize its the weight of the vehicles killing the mileage. Weight from crash bars, air bags, fancy electronics, sound deadening…and so on. We got what we asked for ..nicer / safer cars. Everything has a price. I will gladly take 5 mpg less for one of these great machines. If I need even better gas mileage….I’ll get a motorcycle at least 50 MPG and the power to avoid other vehicles. Loving your car and coolness is how American car companies became great…think of the personalization of the 50’s and 60’s. Our love affair with our cars demonstrates our individualism and creativeness…2 things that made America great. Don’t settle for average, similar, and monotonous. Lets be the great America again.
I’ve been a GM guy since I was a pup. I have to tell you. I’m now very disappointed in the brand I used to support. Mainly because the “average Joe” out here cannot afford anything with any muscle. I have owned 4 Chevelle’s (3 of them being SS 396), 4 Camaro’s (67 through 71) and numerous pick-ups 69 through 2001. What happened to the day when the average blue collar worker could get a kick to the seat of his pants with a simple stab of the go pedal. I give up on you guys. Good luck staying in business, your going to need it.
I’d suggest, that the Camaro will be offered in Germany also with an optional LPG-system, as already available for the HHR. Not to forget: We are paying about 9$/Gallon in the meanwhile. Ouch!
Toolman,
The 07 Corvette convertable we drive to the beach gets 34 mpg on cruise control, and it uses regular gas. The foreign competition can’t match it. Only silence from the media.
Bob, what do you mean by that?
The Camaro is going to be very affordable by today’s standards, just like it always has been.
Somewhere in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 from V6 to V8, just like its competitors.
3 words:
E-Flex Camaro Convertable.
Silent open air electric driving… wonderful!
I was going to buy the Challenger (I have 3 modern Mopar products already), but the vert looks so nice. Way to go Chevy! You got it right, sign me up!
Camaro Team:
Shame on you!
Tempting me with such a delightful looking vehicle. All along I have been planning on a coupe and then you show this! Darn it all.
So far you guys have been doing what appears to be an excellent job of balancing the needs dictated by Federal Mandates and those of the Enthusiast Community. Hopefully this will translate into one heck of a vehicle that will be desired by the general public.
Even with this huge temptation, I will be sticking by my original decision to go for a coupe. (I already own a convertible now).
Keep on keeping on guys!
I’d love for GM to build a convertible car that can accomodate a 6′2” driver.
It sounds so simple and yet, it seems to be a major hurdle.
The Camaro looks fabulous and if I can fit -comfortably- in it, I’ll be looking to buy one!
Let me chime in here.First off,I have always loved GM’s cars.I have owned 5 1969 Camaros,2 70 chevelles ss,67 and 68 Firebirds in the past.I have driven GM since I was 16,I am now 40.I also am a GM employee working as a Parts Mgr for a local Chevrolet dealer since 1986.
With that said,I am dissapointed with GM for the last few years.The new Camaro is very nice but to me and lots of others at my dealership,its a bit too late as is always the case with GM.Where was this car when the new Mustang came out??Why was it not in direct competition at that time?? Why is the new Challenger available right now?? Yet…still no Camaro!! And now,you want to release this car when gas is $4.50 a gallon???Who knows how much the gas will be when this car is actually released.This car should be out competing with your competition(Mustang & Challenger). The Mustang has fizzled out and the Challengers novelty will probably wear out by the time the Camaro is released too.I think when the Camaro comes out,if the gas is still high,people are not really going to care all that much.Sorry. People now are looking to save on gas.I do hope the Camaro is a hit,I dont want to doom the car,I just think GM’s timing always seems to be off.Heres a perfect example:
The HHR. This car is far superior in every compared to a PT Cruiser yet they dont sell all that well.GM just does not advertise it to the public too good.Now imagine this came out in direct competetion with the PT when that car was introduced.I guarantee GM would have sold record numbers of it.Know what I drive? A fully loaded HHR! I love my car.
While we are on the subject….GM….How about making a line of cars that compete with the Accords,Civics,Prius,Yaris…those types of cars.GM is banking on the VOLT but that comes out in what…2010?? Plus at 40-50 grand,how many working class families can actually afford to have one?!What are we as dealers supposed to do until then? Truck sales are non existent due to the gas…..Our dealer went from selling 125 cars/trucks to 85 and now to 30 or so a month.How can a dealer survive when GM who is supposed to offer products for us to sell cant even make a line of cars to compete with.Yes the Malibu is a big hit but you cant bank on one car to save a line.How come Toyota and Honda can make cars that sell and GM cant?How come Toyota made a hit with a Prius and GM cant? I would love to know what GM is thinking…..They are always behind everyone else.The big 3 is no longer GM,FORD AND CHRYSLER but rather Toyota,Honda and Hyundai. GM needs to let the public know we do have some fuel efficient cars and nor just trucks.Most every Chevy commercial on tv is always trucks.Let the people know we have the malibu,impala,hhr and the ugh…Aveo….
Anyway,if GM does not start getting with the program and follow the other companies in thier own way,then GM has sealed its own fate.I really dont want to lose my job if my dealer closes.I blame no one but GM as they basically closed there eyes while the “import” companies ran right past them.Come on GM lets start being competitive again and take back America.Remember the Heartbeat of America????
If nobody else will say I will. The fact that GM stock was once again downgraded beyond junk levels indicates that in order to get your company back on track is going to require monumental changes. I realize that GM has already done so with products like the Malibu, upcoming Cobalt, the revamped Saturn and Buick lines, and the upcoming Volt.
But so far, these have not been enough. What its going to take is some risk taking on one end, and some careful product analysis on the other. To this day, I still feel that GM ignores the small car market. The Malibu and Aura are nice, but the Cobalt ( the current model) and others in its camp are either uninspiring or outdated.
To me, it is ashame that less emphasis is being placed on automakers from the investor’s standpoint because in reality, our futures and the way that we live will greatly depend on what vehicles we drive and how much fuel or lack thereof that they consume. Given that everyone on Wall Street is rushing to oil futures as yet another easy moneybubble is shameful. But if that’s the name of the game, then try to turn it into a positive by creating cars and trucks that consumers have to buy due to their heightened fuel economy.
The focus needs to dramatically focus towards super fuel efficient cars and trucks, and not just from a single model, but for the entire lineup.
Trust me- I do not want to wake up one day to read that GM went under. But to prevent this possibility, the time to make dramatic decisions is right now.
Great looking car. Sales forecast: Bleak. Let’s face it. Price of gas will hurt the bottom line. All the folks that say they’re excited and can’t wait to own one will never step up to the plate and make the purchase. I can’t blame them. $$$ is tight. Only the Camaro loyalists will buy and that in itself is a small niche crowd.
Just make sure the 4 cylinder is tuned to get high mileage,
NOT FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE. There is little benefit to have it otherwise because in the little Solstice it only gets 19 mpg city!
Besides, the other two engines serve that purpose. The masses will
go for a BEAUTIFUL CAR that gets decent mileage and CAN BE INSURED.
GET IT. Only the enhusiast minority will buy the other two versions because they would be percieved as offering you unnecessary levels of power for this era. So you start with those, then quickly introduce the new four-cylinder. DONE!!
Once again we have PROVEN that GM’s product development is an entire cycle (5 YEARS) BEHIND WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
This car would have rocked the world as an early ‘05, beating Mustang to market and adding needed market share at the time.
This is why from now until the ‘13 model year, if you introduce anything not on a NEW world-beating global platform, you will continue to lose, lose, lose, lose, lose, lose and lose in North America.
~ “Just make sure the 4 cylinder is tuned to get high mileage…”
What would be the point of a high fuel mileage 4-cylinder Camaro?
Anyone whose primary focus is economy (and that will soon be most of the world) won’t be buying a Camaro.
Plus there are actually 4-cylinder cars already available that are much sportier and more exotic than the Camaro.
No hardtop convertible = no sale.
Nice retro of the Camaro.
I will be brief. Jobs and prosperity are what I am interested in, that is reason for this e-mail. A complex business decision can save millions of dollars and hundreds if not thousands of jobs. The same result can be accomplished by the most absurd of details like a jingle. Plop Plop Fizz Fizz or your own “See the USA in a Chevrolet. The silliest of ideas becomes brilliant marketing strategy and creates something wonderful for all involved.
Now is the time to strike. Your company just barely beat out Toyota in sales last month. A timely idea could hold off the competition.
You already own the rights to the “See the USA” song. I implore you to consider the updated lyrics which tout GPS, Reliability, Work, Travel, Friends and America.
Go to work today in a Chevrolet, America’s best selling car.
See your friends today, drive a Chevrolet. You know it’s bound to go far.
Drive from Maine to Cal-La-Forn-I-Ya . Always knowing where you are.
Short and very musical is appealing as Americas got Talent.
To whoever reads this may it brings you the success I know it can?
D.H.Weemes
Mobile, Al
Ed Peper,
I thank you and the chevy team for working so hard and making the 2010 camaro such an awesome car.
I just have one question that I think deserves an honest answer. Does chevy have the technology to produce a hardtop convertible concept? If so I would like to see at least a computer animated sketch or something, if is not too much to ask.
Love the look of the convertible Camaro and would like to add, I personally would be very interested in a 400 horsepower Pontiac G8 GXP convertible. Big Fan of GM and the return of the muscle cars… only GM products in my driveway, today, tomorrow and forever.
Stunning!
Phil:
You are being way too hard on GM. Look at the cars coming out from 2009 to 2014. They will lead.
Bob, what do you mean by that?
The Camaro is going to be very affordable by today’s standards, just like it always has been.
Somewhere in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 from V6 to V8, just like its competitors.
Reply to Joe B.
By todays standards meaning what. Most American blue collars are still making about as much now as they were 10 or 15 years ago. I would roll over and drop dead if the Camaro (V-8 version, V-6 is useless) sold under 30K. I’ll believe it when I see it. By the way. I saw it posted at least once here and I agree, people looking to buy a Camaro usually don’t give a rats bannana about fuel mileage. I don’t. I just think GM has priced the ordinary guys who supported them forever, out of the buying game. If they can sell a V-8 version under 25K, I’ll be all over it.
There is really no problem with a turbo 4 Camaro. The mustang used to do that with their SVO’s, and now there is a strong relationship to that car and mustang fans. Just be sure there is a way to add more power to the 4 banger, and it will be a success.
Just an idea in advance, have GMPP, SLP, or some other aftermarket company make lightweight body and interior parts.
[...] Don’t forget to get a look at GM’s leaked pictures of a production ready Camaro Convertible here. [...]
I LOVE IT! As soon as the convertible comes out, I’m getting one. Please let me know when I can pre-order or purchase one that is a pre-production model! I thought I saw one the other day, but the dealer told me that the cars were not out yet.
Wow… very very nice… I hope that those headlights make it for the production…
NICE!!!
Owned a 67 I’m a buyer when the z28 drop top rolls. I agree with several posts GM has always been 3-5 years behind. Looks like they may finally have a competitor to toyota’s camry in the malibu just took em 15 years.
I hope that those headlights make it for the production…
You are being way too hard on GM. Look at the cars coming out from 2009 to 2014. They will lead.
No hardtop convertible
I love the new Camaro! I currently own a 2007 Chevy 2500 extended cab 4×4 and a 2005 Trailblazer . I also own a 1967 SS camaro and a 1964 Corvette. You couldn’t give me a Toyota or a Honda. For that matter I wouldn’t own any other forign made piece of crap either, no matter how much gasoline costs per gallon. I am a proud american factory worker and I own nothing but american Iron and I intend on keeping it that way. You can say Toyota’s and Honda’s are made in the United states, but the money still goes to the corperation in Japan. Toyota and Honda do not make better cars than GM or Ford they just do a better job of brainwashing people with their constant advertising. Every radio comercial break there is an add for one or the other (Toyota or Honda) Every TV comercial break there are adds for Toyota vehicles, every sporting event there are billboards and signs, every place you look there are so many adds you can’t help but see them,especially the Toyota adds. Like I said they don’t build a better product they just do a better job of advertising it. I call it brain washing, because that is what it is. I own american products, because I want to support our country and the workers that live here. I will always by GM products, They’ve never let me down yet. And yes I would be proud to own a new GTO, Corvette, Saturn View, Pontiac Solstice, or even the new Camaro when it gets here. I just can’t decide which one I like the best. I detest Toyotas and the people that drive them. to me they are just easily manipulated fools, (sheep if you will) that follow any whim that comes their way. Keep up the good work GM I have faith in you!
Love the look of the convertible Camaro and would like to add, I personally would be very interested in a 400 horsepower Pontiac G8 GXP convertible. Big Fan of GM and the return of the muscle cars… only GM products in my driveway, today, tomorrow and forever.
Looks great!….but get rid of the hokie radio antenna that is detracting on the rear fender. Integrate it in the W/S or A-Pillar!
I read a test of the V6 Camaro, and if in fact you can get one without those stupid retro guages on the console without requiring them on some upgrade package, I’ll buy one. I had to wait to get my Solstice GXP until they eliminated the requirement to get the leather seats just to get cruise control.
wow iam only 21 and have allways been a camaro fan and have restored about 6 of them for myself but damn this car is hot it makes me want to leave my wife and just drive and drive go chevy ( the heartbeat of america) there aint no ford that will ever look this good my generation of kids is going to love this i just hope that the convertiable come with the 6 liter engine and ss option.
thanks greate Wow… … I hope that those headlights make it for the production…
I’d love for GM to build a convertible car that can accomodate a 6′2” driver.
No hardtop convertible
The top is well done. The additional rear 1/4 pannel windows make the whole concept work. I’m sure that the blind spot that the Challenger has is not present on the Camaro Vert. The perfect final statement should be a intergral roll bar that is present when the top is down. That look always attracted great comments and should be added as part os a sports package with upgraded interior and more robust seats to really hold you in as you turn at 1.1G’s on a road course.
Please don’t do what the corvette guys did. They forgot that the corvette Z06 and ZR1 need to have seats that hold you in and are ready to have a harness got thru them to keep you in place at the track and in some cases where authorized by the local organizers the street. They have failed to provide a seat that matches the performance of the car in EVERY ASPECT, everyone that really drives their Z06 FEELS THE SAME WAY , (that’s how badly they failed on the seats.) I have 35K miles on mine with 2K of that being track miles.
So please make the seats match the performance and make sure you have a way to feed the harness shoulder belts thru the back of the seat, (A submarine belt access would just be the icing on the cake.)
Thanks Ernie Play Hard
Just reviewed some of the past posts. I guess the price of gas coming back down to 1.75 should solve the world ’s woe’s. The price of gas hads nothing to do with supply and demand it hads to do with Greed!! The artficial inflation and manipulation of the market was something that the governmnet should have immediately stopped.
But be that what it may, now is the time to insure we have a plan for the fututre that keeps the great sports cars we love relavant. Keep your imagination working and let’s enjoy our love of great American Sports cars.
Ernie Play Hard
I would really like to see the option of hidden headlights like the ‘67-’69 Rally Sports. That’s a selling point for me.
Love the looks! It will be my next new car(will wait for the convertible) Now if you can make one
in Gold with a black convertible top and the hidden headlights, that would be a perfect match to my .
first car(1967 RS)
It’s a good looking car. Will the average person be able to afford it?
Awesome job on that top!! I’ve never seen one that keeps such a close resemblance to the coupe! And thanks, Ed: We Camaro-nutjobs like being rewarded.
Wow… very very nice… I hope that those headlights make it for the production…
Great looking car. Sales forecast: Bleak. Let’s face it. Price of gas will hurt the bottom line. All the folks that say they’re excited and can’t wait to own one will never step up to the plate and make the purchase. I can’t blame them.
I hope that those headlights make it for the production
I’m definately getting this beautiful piece of machinery for graduate school graduation. I’ll be the first in line!
That’s an incredibly attractive car. Regardless of fuel prices, it’ll sell quicker than you can make them.
By the way, do GM bloggers get a discount? I want one!
Awesome job on that top!! I’ve never seen one that keeps such a close resemblance to the coupe! And thanks, Ed: We Camaro-nutjobs like being rewarded.
I want a super charged ss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my only comment is…..when am i going to be able to purchase this car……. getting tired of waiting….i am 62 and would love to have this convertible….i am ready to buy NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, was really funny reading all the comments, so thought I would throw in mine.
I could careless about gas prices, global warming, and the price of this car. I want a convertible, loaded up, that is fast as hell. If I had my way, GM would be making a 4 seater Z06. Don’t even waste the time making a V6, make this a V8 only, with all the options. For the price this would still be a deal even fully loaded. Who else makes a 4 seat convertible that looks good & gets on it? BMW the only one that comes to mind.
What idiot buys this car as a commuter car? Who cares if it gets 15mpg or 25mpg, this is not a car that you drive to and from work everyday. This is a car to go out on the weekend and have fun.
Put me down for one.
Beautiful. Have an ‘85 Toyota Celica that I adore but rust is becoming an issue. Does this have front wheel drive. It’s a beauty!
“I want a convertible, loaded up, that is fast as hell.”
Paul,
And where do you plan to drive this “fast as hell” car? If you are like the rest of us, aren’t you constrained by the speed limits of civilized society?
“I want a convertible, loaded up, that is fast as hell.”
I can think of many places to drive this car.
GM: please offer same configurations in the convertible as in the coupe.
I see a real problem with GM’s need to wait for ever to get a car to market. Why would you wait so long to put the convertible to market especially after taking to long to get the coupe out. Once the coupe is out there is no reason the convertible shouldn’t make it the same year. Its not that big a difference and GM has already had three years to work on both. I want this car but I question whether I will wait another year or if my car will make it another year.
I hope the convertible will come with a hard top option!!!
Wow!!…Looks like another winner and can hardly wait to see similar versions in Buick Wildcats and Skylarks….wishful thinking!.The styling is sure to capture and captivate attention unlike the tens of millions of foreign brand shop worn appliance looking vehicles.Ever notice how all of the foreign carmakers models look so much alike that they remind you instead of boring appliances?.It is no secret that the competition is heavily subsidized by foreign governments in their economic mission to saturate and undermine our own domestic markets,but they can’t copy the unique styling and design that has been a proven winner with impugnity.In the future it may be wise to keep a lid or a cover on your new products until shortly before their scheduled launch….It adds a unique stealth element of surprise especially towards the competition.
When can I place my order? my son wants my 99 Z28 convert
Glad to know it will be released as a convertible later on… Now I can hold out on making a purchase!
When will we get hidden headlights?
The quality of life in America is about to change drastically, and you want the American public to get excited about a convertible with an internal combustion engine that rightly belongs in the 1960’s.
OOOh, Very good. Thanks
Thanks, Beautiful. Have an ‘85 Toyota Celica that I adore but rust is becoming an issue.
The new camaro is a great looking car but try and buy one.My wife sfc Gaham us army was home on leave from Iraq and we wanted to get her a camaro while she was here.Well good luck finding one then our local Lithia Chevy dealer in Redding CA finally gets one and there asking 10 thousand more than MSRP and wont even let you sit in the car.I have owned Chevy vehicles my whole life and I’m truly disappointed at the availability of this car.If any one at GM would like to contact me i would love to talk with you.Thanks for reading this even if it doesn’t get posted.
I hope this dealer is one that has had their franchise revoked… shame on them!
Vice-president of marketing Mark LaNeve,
Do you have any comment on dealer practices such as this? This is an outrageous way to treat an Iraqi war veteran.
I hope that those headlights make it for the production
“My wife, SFC Gaham, US Army was home on leave from Iraq and we wanted to get her a Camaro while she was here…our local Lithia Chevy dealer in Redding CA finally gets one and there asking 10 thousand more than MSRP and won’t even let you sit in the car.”
Wayne,
That’s outrageous — a dealer trying to gouge an Iraq veteran, after the US Government has bailed out GM to keep them afloat. Somehow you need to get talk radio mobilized on her side. If I were you, I also write my local Congressperson with info copies to CEO Fritz Henderson and Senior North American GM President Troy Clarke.
GM can’t be allowed to get away with taking billions in Federal aid and then sticking it to Iraqi and Afghanistani veterans. At one time the Army-Air Force Exchange System (AAFES) had a program to allow veterans to order cars from GM, Ford, and Chrysler while overseas for pickup on return to CONUS. Does that still exist?
I agree with Doug that it’s outrageous what some dealers are doing, just because they think they can. However, it’s important to understand that dealers are not owned by GM and are able to do business as they want (within limitations). The prices that GM puts on the cars are suggested retail prices, and unfortunately there isn’t much that the company can do to limit dealers from putting mark-ups on the vehicles.
Personally, if a dealer tries to do that to me, they have lost my business forever. I’ll go to another dealership that is willing to work with me, and I’ll make it a point to tell everyone I know not to go to that dealer because of their practices.
At the same time, there are a lot of honest dealers out there, and quite a few that have noted on popular camaro blogs (such as Camaro5.com and CamaroZ28.com) that they are selling the vehicles for MSRP. You might want to check out these lists to see if there’s a dealer in your area that is using this practice. As the availability of the vehicle becomes more prevalent (over 25,000 orders so far that are working on being filled), I would expect this gougin practice to become less prevalent as dealers will feel the need to move the cars off their lots.
Why don’t you petition BMW & MB to stop making the 7 & S series? Or lexus to drop their LF-S?
People want this car, the Camaro is a great looking, great performing car. If you don’t like it say so and leave it at that. Comment on the car, leave the world’s economy out of this.
Since the hartop Camaro is still not for sale after all these years, I find it hard to get excited about the convertible. With the fuel economy more on the forefront, the retro ponycar market may be history before you finally get into production ! The original Camaro trailed the Mustang intro by a couple years too, but not this much
>> That’s outrageous — a GM dealer trying to gouge an Iraq war veteran, after the US Government has bailed out GM to keep them afloat. <<
Does anyone have an update on this?
It is my understanding that people are leaving deposits on camaro convertible is this true.If this is true i would like to leave one I think the car looks great I already have 2007 impala ss and 2006trailblazer ss thanks john,
Very nice, Ed. Can you say if that is the design for the final production headlights?
Very nice car. You should sell it worldwide, including my country (Brazil). You already sell a Zeta here (the Aussie Omega AKA Holden VE Commodore) so we can expect a lot of components in common, easying the life of the dealers network.
But I’m expecting the Alpha basis. This platform, if correctly managed, would be the redemption for us, who want a RWD car, but not so expensive. A lot of people in the world just buy the 3-Series because it’s the nearest to an honestly-priced RWD ride with a rational size. Make something like this, priced like a FWD mid-size car, as spacious as a 5-Series and also very easy to assemble in any part of the world and you’ll have a winner in hands.
Since the hartop Camaro is still not for sale after all these years, I find it hard to get excited about the convertible. With the fuel economy more on the forefront, the retro ponycar market may be history before you finally get into production…
The camaro sucks in the first place. Why in the world would you make a camaro with a rounded back end? its like your asking for somebody to call you stupid. And why are you soooo focused on your camaro, that isnt even worth focusing on, when you are going bankrupt? that is why you guys keep going into the red, your more focused on what YOU want, and not your customers. And as for your “relations” with china, there is absolutly no need to accomadate to their needs. You didn’t get started in china did you? Without the American public, GM would never exist. So stop listening to the Chinese and listen to the people that you built your company on. The people you keep shoving your re-badged chevy’s, buicks, GMCs, and caddies down their throats are sick of it. We want Pontiac. Not what you have been “developing” in your Chevrolet brand. If you keep Pontiac, you will make more money than you would ever have without it. You need to listen to America and keep Pontiac.
Wow !!! What a great model. When is this appearing on market? If actual model is like this preproduction model that will be really greatest one.
Beautiful. Have an ‘85 Toyota Celica that I adore but rust is becoming an issue. Does this have front wheel drive. It’s a beauty!
Since the hartop Camaro is still not for sale after all these years, I find it hard to get excited about the convertible. With the fuel economy more on the forefront, the retro ponycar market may be history before you finally get into production
thank you nice car!
when will the 2010 convertable be available
when will the 2010 convertable be available
Beautiful. Have an ‘85 Toyota Celica that I adore but rust is becoming an issue. Does this have front wheel drive. It’s a beauty!
Beautiful. Have an ‘85 Toyota Celica that I adore but rust is becoming an issue. Does this have front wheel drive. It’s a beauty!