Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept Debuts at North American International Auto Show / Series Production confirmed for 2009

Detroit (ots) -

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The Chevrolet Camaro concept was the celebrated star of the
American 2006 auto show season. Now, at the beginning of the 2007
auto show season, there is a new star rising: The Chevrolet Camaro
convertible concept. It will be unveiled on the eve of the North
American International Auto Show at GM Style, an exclusive,
fashion-splashed event combining celebrities, couture and
automobiles. Chevrolet already has announced production plans for the
Camaro, which will go on sale in the US in 2009. A production
convertible model will be added later that year.

The Camaro convertible concept is based on the original Camaro
concept, with only minor changes required to accommodate the
convertible body style. It shares exterior dimensions with the Camaro
concept (L/W/H: 4,730/2,022/1,344 mm), although the convertible
concept's windshield surround, which features a bright anodized
finish, is changed slightly to accommodate the convertible top. The
Camaro convertible concept is motivated by a torquey V-8 engine that
rightly sends power to the rear wheels via a manual transmission. It
also features a four-wheel independent suspension system and
four-wheel disc brakes.

“The best follow-up to last year's award-winning Camaro concept is
a Camaro convertible,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, global
design. “The Camaro convertible concept instantly evokes an emotional
response - it's a vehicle that you want to make room for in your
garage.”

Like the Camaro concept vehicle, the Camaro convertible concept
blends a dramatic, forward-looking design that is mindful of the
brand's storied heritage. That design includes classic long
hood/short deck proportions and a wide, wheels-at-the-corners stance
that gives the vehicle the look of hugging corners even when
stationary.

Additional design details include:

- Tonneau cover over the folded top
- “Halo” headlamps
- LED taillamps
- Rear spoiler with LED-lit CHMSL
- Racing-inspired fuel filler door
- Front-inlet hood scoop, inspired by the Corvette Z06
- Heritage-inspired rear fender “gills”

The Camaro convertible concept's Hugger Orange pearl tri-coat
color is a contemporary update of the classic hue, which was
originally offered in 1969. It is complemented with twin gunmetal
gray sport stripes. The modern interpretation of the classic color
and its dark accent stripes simultaneously reflect the Camaro's
heritage and deliver a deep, lustrous and thoroughly contemporary
appearance.

The Camaro convertible concept rides on 21-inch front wheels and
22-inch rear wheels. The wheels have a deep-dish, five-spoke design
and feature charcoal center sections with bright outer edges and an
orange outline on the wheel edge. The charcoal wheels complement the
gunmetal gray stripes on the body.

Inspired cockpit

Inside, the Camaro convertible features a simple yet purposeful
interior that reflects design elements inspired by the muscle car
era, including the first-generation Camaro. A new, light-and-dark
color scheme enhances the airy feel of the convertible, particularly
when the top is lowered.

The seats' fronts feature platinum-tone leather surrounding
suede-like Alcantara® inserts, with black, sculpted seatbacks. The
use of light color only on the seating surface is reminiscent of
vintage houndstooth interiors, while a matching, tri-coat platinum
paint is used to accent the door panels and instrument panel, giving
a modern, bold feel to the interior.

“The light-on-dark interior coloring makes a strong statement that
conveys the spirit of freedom and fun that is embodied by a Camaro
convertible,” said Micah Jones, interior designer.

As with the Camaro coupe concept, the convertible concept features
an instrument panel inspired by first-generation Camaros (1967 -
1969), including an intricate “round-gauges-in-square-holes” design.
The gauges have a deep, three-dimensional appearance, with white
faces and red pointers. “The instrument panel - including the four
auxiliary gauges mounted in front of the shifter - pays homage to
first-generation Camaros, while achieving a modern appearance through
its refined integration of components,” said Jones.

Craftsmanship and attention to detail are evidenced throughout the
interior, including the smoke satin aluminum finish on trim plates,
vents, seat handles and safety belt buckles. The shifter and pedals
are made of billet aluminum. The steering wheel has a detailed,
deep-dish three-spoke design and the front seats are hinged at the
center - rather than the sides - for an integrated appearance. A
separate ignition button is used to start the engine and the
speedometer and tachometer needles complete full-sweep indexing when
the engine rumbles to life.

A “spine” motif runs through the center of the vehicle and on the
seatbacks, including a prominent center console that stretches to the
rear seat. The spine reinforces the symmetry of the Camaro
convertible, as well as its precision.

An attainable icon

The original Camaro was introduced to the Baby Boomer generation,
alarge group of young, individualistic and mobile Americans that
drove fundamental changes in the auto industry. The Camaro was
personal, sporty and powerful - attributes that were typically found
on more expensive, smaller and, often, foreign sports cars. The
Camaro represented a real life-sized sporty car that was attainable
for just about everyone. An almost endless list of optional features,
colors and trim combinations ensured owners could tailor their Camaro
to their exact taste.

As Boomers transitioned into larger vehicles to accommodate
growing families, younger drivers embraced used Camaros as their
first cars, and third- and fourth-generations of the Camaro continued
to deliver affordable fun and performance to a new generation of
enthusiasts. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of owners of all walks of
life have found driving fun in a Camaro during the past 40 years.

The new Camaro concepts draw on their namesakes' heritage, but
also the global, youthful influences of the 21st century. These
influences are seen in the Camaro convertible concept's bold
proportions, tailored wheel-to-body relationship and detailed
interior - including the multi-dimensional instruments. It's a design
that resonates with a generation of younger car buyers influenced by
highly stylized “tuner” cars and import sports cars.

“Youthful buyers want a car that makes a statement in its design
as much as its performance,” said Brian Smith, exterior designer.
“The new Camaro concepts bridge heritage with contemporary style,
with a design that is simultaneously admired among import-influenced
youth and traditional enthusiasts.”

Along with style and performance, the timeless spirit of fun is
woven into the new Camaro concepts.

“Camaro has always represented the American ethic that style and
performance don't belong exclusively to the wealthy,” said Smith.
“Camaro has always been everybody's sports car, and these new
concepts demonstrate its spirit is relevant for a new generation.”

CHEVROLET CAMARO CONVERTIBLE CONCEPT SPECIFICATIONS

Vehicle type: two-door, four-passenger rear-wheel-drive
convertible
Wheelbase (in / mm): 110.5 / 2806
Length (in / mm): 186.2 / 4730
Width (in / mm): 79.6 / 2022
Height (in / mm): 53 / 1344
Track (in / mm): 63.8 / 1620 front; 63.3 / 1607 rear
Powertrain: V-8 engine with manual transmission
Suspension: four-wheel independent: MacPherson strut
front, multilink rear, progressive rate coil
springs, gas-pressurized dampers
Brakes: four-wheel disc, 14-in rotors with
four-piston calipers
Wheels: cast aluminum; 21-in front, 22-in rear
Tires: 275/30R21 front, 305/30R22 rear

Text and photos can be downloaded from the Internet at
http://media.gmeurope.com.

Originaltext: General Motors (GM Europe)
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Contacts:

Steve Janisse
GME Product Development & Technology Communications
Phone: 0049 170-3395900
E-mail: Steve.janisse@de.gm.com

Julie Huston-Rough
GM Design Communications
Phone: 001 586-986-5606
E-mail: julie.huston-rough@gm.com