2011 Chevy Camaro

Fans, owners, former owners, and consumers alike waited a long time for Chevrolet's reborn ponycar coupe to debut as a 2010 model.Although initial 2010 model sales were slow compared to the Camaro's rival Ford Mustang, the Camaro was out-selling its long-time rival by July. A new look and excellent value helping GM attract some much-needed customers. Underneath the latest Camaro's 1969-themed styling is a shortened version of General Motors' Zeta platform, used on large rear-drive sedans like the Pontiac G8. This architecture provides the Camaro with a rigid body structure and an all-independent suspension, the latter a first for a production Camaro.

'11 Camaro Power

The 2011 Chevy Camaro lineup starts with coupes in base LS and uplevel LT trim that carry the 3.6-liter twincam V6 with direct injection that is used in Cadillac's entry-level CTS premium midsize sedan. The V6 is rated at 304 horsepower.  The top of the line is a traditional performance-oriented SS model with a 6.2-liter V8 borrowed from base Chevy Corvettes. In Camaros, the V8 comes in versions. Cars with the 6-speed manual get a LS3 rated at 426 horses. Cars with the automatic are equipped with a L99 that will have GM's gas-saving Active Fuel Management cylinder-deactivation system and around 400 ponies. All these models should list 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed automatic transmissions.

Design of the 2011 Camaro

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro arrived in three coupe models patterned on the big-buzz 2006 Detroit Auto Show concept. Convertible versions (previewed by a 2007 Detroit concept) were to be added during the 2010 model run, but now they will not appear until at least another year.  A new high-performance Z28 edition was forecast for model-year 2011, but it reportedly has been shelved. GM's idea to bring back the Z28 version of their Camaro has been a hot top among Camaro fans. The Z28 may never have been a consideration, but the success of the new Camaro and Camaro SS could change all that.

Summary

For most of the past four decades, the Chevrolet Camaro has been the poster car of young (and not so young) speed freaks and boulevardiers alike. The Camaro will continue to do so in 2011. Starting out in the late 1960s as an answer to the Ford Mustang, the early Chevrolet Camaro could be had in coupe or convertible form and with six-cylinder or V8 power. As the Camaro went through the '70s, it, like other sporty cars of the era, lost performance and gained more stripes and spoilers. It wasn't until the mid-'80s, when the Camaro once again had some respectable power under the hood along with an athletic chassis that the popular pony car regained its performance reputation. Visit the official Cherolet Camaro site for the latest updates on this model. The fourth-generation Camaro, which bowed in the early '90s, still offered V8 power, a rear-drive chassis, swoopy styling and a choice of coupe or convertible bodies. The V8 cranked out more than 300 horsepower and 13-second quarter-miles in Z28 and SS form. Though an outstanding performance bargain, this Camaro became increasingly aged as the years went by. For many consumers, it came across as unrefined and even crude, especially when compared to other sport coupes and convertibles. Sales were weak, and Chevrolet finally pulled the plug after 2002. The 2010 model of the reborn Camaro couldn't have had more success and has done well against its rivals such as the Mustang and Challenger.