Chevy Camaro Convertible Concept to be Shown at Detroit

General Motors will be showcasing its new Chevy Camaro Convertible Concept at the Detroit Auto Show. The revelation of the new concept to the automotive market will be led by Hollywood superstars including Carmen Electra.

According to the automaker, the concept will be wrapped in a Hugger Orange color to tickle excitement of the aficionados. General Motors divulged that the car is given a V8 engine, proper standard transmission, four wheel disc brakes and a four wheel independent suspension to boost convertible’s capabilities. The automaker also announced its intention to unveil 5 other concept cars along with the new Cadillac CTS.

It can be recalled that in August last year, Rick Wagoner, GM’s chairman and CEO, said that the automaker will build an all-new version of the Chevy Camaro muscle car based on the award-winning concept that debuted at the North American International Auto Show. Said muscle car combines substance and elegance by employing sophisticated Chevy car parts. The award-winning concept stole not only the spotlight but also the heart of aficionados. "The new Camaro will be almost identical to the concept, a thoroughly modern interpretation of the 1969 model, considered by many to be the best design of the car's first generation," said Ed Welburn, GM's global vice president of design, who also owns a 1969 Camaro SS.

To enhance the hype of concept car revelations and to ignite aficionados’ passion, GM is releasing the convertible counterpart of what has been unveiled earlier. "The overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to the Camaro Concept continues to remind me of the uniquely iconic place our products can have in customers' hearts," Wagoner said. "Camaro is much more than a car; it symbolizes America's spirit and its love affair with the automobile." There are enthusiasts who already sent checks in hopes of placing early deposits.

The production of the vehicle will start at the end of 2008 and it will go on sale in early 2009. The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will go into production about a year later. The concept will be a rear wheel drive with an independent rear suspension.

“The new Camaro will appeal to both men and women, and unite customers with fond memories of previous Camaros with those who first experienced a Camaro when the concept,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet’s general manager. "We intend to make the all-new Camaro relevant to younger buyers while retaining its appeal to current fans. The beauty of the best Camaros is that they have always been beautiful to look at with performance that rivals expensive European GTs. Yet they were practical enough to drive every day and priced within the reach of many new-car buyers."

Peper added the Chevrolet Camaro will complement Chevy's already-popular portfolio of performance vehicles led by Corvette and including its broad SS lineup. The concept embodies the universal appeal of the automaker but the difference is that the latest version is more refined and responsive. The move is made to lure both the old aficionados and potential enthusiasts. To tickle the fancies of the young, Chevy added young auto designers from all over the world to its pool of design experts.