Auto Channel

Thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic sport coupe

Detroit. For more than 30 years, the Chevrolet Camaro was the archetypal American muscle car, combining dramatic design and exciting performance. The American icon was also one of the most popular sport coupes of all time, with Chevrolet selling more than 699,000 Camaros in the first three years following its 1966 launch. Chevrolet now presents a concept car that recaptures the timeless spirit of the 1960’s Camaro at the Detroit Motor Show.

“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-block V-8, a six-speed manual transmission, and a sophisticated chassis with four-wheel independent suspension. The 6.0-liter LS2 engine features Active Fuel Management™, which shuts off four cylinders to save fuel when the engine is lightly loaded.

“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-derived 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 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.

SPECIFICATIONS – CHEVROLET CAMARO CONCEPT