First 2013 Camaro ZL1 convertible sells for $150,000

And the First Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible sells for $150,000 at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, AZ this weekend! All proceeds will benefit Achilles International and their programs supporting wounded veterans.

Camaro ZL1: Most Powerful Chevrolet Convertible Ever

DETROIT – Chevrolet announced today the brand’s most-powerful convertible ever – the 2013 Camaro ZL1 – will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. When it goes on sale in late 2012, it will deliver more performance and technology than many exotic cars and ultra-luxury convertibles.

“The Camaro ZL1 convertible will be one of the most powerful and most capable, convertibles available at any price,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top – or hit the gas.”

Like the coupe, the Camaro ZL1 convertible features a supercharged 6.2L “LSA” engine, SAE-rated at 580 horsepower (432 kW) and 556 lb.-ft. of torque (754 Nm). That’s enough to exceed the output of 2+2 convertibles of many performance icons, including:

• 2012 Aston Martin DB9 Volante – 470 hp / 443 lb.-ft.
• 2012 Mercedes SL63 AMG – 518 hp / 465 lb.-ft.
• 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S – 530 hp / 516 lb.-ft.
• 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 – 550 hp / 510 lb.-ft.

The Camaro ZL1 convertible’s power is complemented by advanced powertrain and chassis technologies designed to deliver exceptional performance on the road or track. In fact, it’s the same balance of acceleration, handling and ride quality that enabled a Camaro ZL1 coupe recently to lap the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife course in 7:41.27 minutes.

From Day One, the architecture for the fifth-generation Camaro was designed to accommodate a convertible model, which gives the ZL1 convertible coupe-like driving dynamics. Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body structure to quell the cowl and steering wheel shake common in convertibles. They include:

• A tower-to-tower brace under the hood
• A transmission support reinforcement brace
• Underbody tunnel brace
• Front “X” brace and stiffer cradle as well as rear underbody “V” braces

Additional structural reinforcements in the ZL1 convertible are designed to improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also reducing unwanted ride and body motions. They include a hydroformed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.

The suspension of the ZL1 convertible uses the third-generation of Magnetic Ride. New, twin-wire/dual-coil dampers at all four corners enable faster response, with damping levels now adjusted up to 1,000 times per second – about one adjustment per inch of vehicle travel at 60 mph – making the system exceptionally responsive to changing driving and road conditions.

The Camaro ZL1 convertible will also offer Performance Traction Management as standard equipment, which is exclusive to General Motors. First introduced on the Corvette ZR1, it is an advanced system that integrates magnetic ride control, launch control, traction control and electronic stability control, to enhance both launch-acceleration performance and corning.

The result is a convertible designed to preserve nearly all the acceleration, road-holding and performance capabilities of the Camaro ZL1 coupe, which goes on sale in early 2012.

GM: Extreme Testing Verifies Top Quality for Camaro Convertible

Built to last a lifetime and look great for the entire ride

INDIANAPOLIS – When the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible sets the pace for the 2011 Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, it will showcase a top built to last a lifetime, operate worry-free and maintain the appearance of its Coupe sibling.

To assure long-term durability, the convertible top underwent extensive testing during development, being opened and closed more than 22,500 times – three times more than would be expected in a typical 10 years of use. Some of those cycles were performed in extreme conditions; temperatures ranging from minus-22° F to 170° F and humidity of up to 95 percent.

“This past winter we even had our engineers driving 80 of these convertibles back and forth to work every day here in Michigan,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “They had to open and close the top five times each day no matter what the weather was like.”

Every Camaro Convertible undergoes a water test as it completes assembly in Oshawa, Ontario. In addition, vehicles are randomly chosen   to undergo an eight-minute water test at the assembly facility in Oshawa and at an identical facility at the GM Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan.  More than 7,200 gallons of water are hurled at the car in a hurricane-like downpour at a pace of 900 gallons per minute.

Addressing another aspect of interior comfort, Camaro Convertible’s three-layer top includes an acoustical liner made of rubber sandwiched between an acrylic square weave outer fabric and an inner reinforcing cotton layer. Engineers use a sophisticated human-ear mimicking device called the Aachen Head to measure noise levels. According to recent GM road test data, the Camaro Convertible achieved a better interior quietness acoustical rating than the Ford Mustang in interior quietness.

“For many buyers, a Camaro Convertible can be a collector car, something they might keep for generations. So we made sure the tops would retain their quality for a long, long time,” said Oppenheiser. “There is great value in a convertible with the original top.” Oppenheiser knows the needs for car collectors well. He personally restored a 1969 Camaro Convertible several years ago.

Consistent with its coupe-like performance dynamics, the Camaro Convertible offers the looks of the Camaro Coupe when the top is up. The five bow roof design provides a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that retains the sleek roofline of the coupe.

Unlike other convertible models in the segment, the Camaro top latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Once the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and activates the top, which completes its cycle in about 20 seconds.

To learn more about the extreme measures employed by Camaro Convertible engineers to verify quality and durability, watch the video below.

Source: Chevrolet Media

Guy Fieri has a new Camaro convertible

You may know FOOD TV's Guy Fieri and his red 1967 Camaro SS convertible. 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo stolen from a San Francisco dealership in March, Fieri chose to replace it with a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible, and he states it is the first one off the line. Great looking car and a perfect stable mate for his first gen Camaro if you ask me.

Here is the tweet from @ChefGuyFieri

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible configurator is online

It has arrived, with the 2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible to debut at the NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan this week, the Camaro Configurator web site includes the convertible model.

The Camaro Convertible comes in four trim levels; 1LT, 2LT, 1SS and 2SS. The cheapest is the 29 MPG 1LT at $29,150, the 312hp V6 and 18” painted aluminum wheels. You can add 19” wheels, Boston Acoustics sound system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a few other options taking you to the 2LT for $32,650.

The performance enthusiast can steup up to the Camaro 1SS, which gives you a 426hp LS3 V8, 20” wheels backed by Brembo brakes and SS-specific front and rear fascias for $36,650. Continue up the ladder to the 2SS adding even more options starting at $39,650. The list of options continues, click happy buyers can equip their 2SS Convertible up to a price tag around $50,000.

Build your own 2011 Camaro Convertible  Let us know how much your dream Camaro came to!

Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro Convertibles Sell-Out in Three Minutes

DETROIT – In just 3 minutes earlier today, customers quickly claimed all 100 of the special edition 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertibles prepared exclusively for the annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. These new owners claimed their Neiman Marcus Edition cars via a special telephone reservation process today, a few hours after the car appeared on NBC’s Today Show.

Only 100 special edition convertibles will be built, each offering luxury appointments inspired by Neiman Marcus combined with the legendary performance of the Camaro SS. The lucky 100 new owners will take delivery of their special edition cars in the spring of 2011, shortly after the new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro arrives in dealerships.

The Neiman Marcus Edition is defined by its exclusive Deep Bordeaux exterior color, accented by subtle, “ghosted” rally stripes. The exterior color is complimented by a matching fabric top and windshield frame finished in matte silver, both also exclusive to the Neiman Marcus edition.

Introducing the Neiman Marcus edition Camaro convertible

Today in Dallas, Texas, Neiman Marcus unveiled their 2010 Holiday Catalog. The Neiman Marcus catalog is world renown for their luxurious, high-end, and special holiday gifts. Over the last ten years, the catalog has featured some of the rarest, most unique automobiles ever created and sold. Never has a Chevrolet model been offered for sale in their catalog – until now.

Chevrolet is pleased to announce we have teamed up with Neiman Marcus to create the 2011 Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro Convertible. This special edition convertible model -- based off of the Camaro 2SS – features such unique characteristics as Deep Bordeaux Tri-Coat exterior color with painted rally stripes; 21” wheels, that look similar to those on the Camaro convertible concept car, with red flare accent; and Amber leather-appointed interior with red flare accent stitching. A hero card with an image of this model is attached for reference.

The car is painted Deep Bordeaux and comes with subtle rally stripes. The interior is amber leather offset by black leather side panels and red stitching. That's cool, but even cooler is the power beneath the hood: The Neiman Marcus Camaro Convertibles are equipped with a 6.2-liter, V-8 engine. When paired with six-speed manual transmission, the engine delivers 426 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.

Only 100 of these unique Camaro Convertible models will be offered for sale on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. The only way this model can be purchased is for customers to call the Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro Convertible Call Center at 1.877.662.6276 at 12 Noon sharp, Eastern Time, on October 19, 2010. The first 100 callers will receive a “pin” authorizing the sale of this model. Expect to pay around $75,000 for this limited edition Camaro. Vehicle delivery is anticipated Spring 2011.

It is important to note only retail customers are eligible for this program. Direct to dealer and dealer employee sales are not eligible.

 

 

See the Camaro in the Neiman Marcus catalog for yourself, check out pages 44 and 45 of the flip book feature on the web site

neimanmarcus.com/christmasbook

Great video below tells the story of how the car came to be

Convertibles at Holden

As we have all heard, the Camaro convertible is still a go for the 2011 model year, we should see them in showrooms by the summer of 2010. Pistonheads.com recently posted an image of a few Camaro SS convertibles parked outside a Holden facility in Australia.

This model has been the topic rumors for quite some time as GM has gone through their financial woes. Hopefully these images will put some fears at rest as it looks like development is well under way at the soon to be largest automaker in the world (again).

Want a new Camaro convertible?

Newport Convertible Engineering (NCE) is already taking orders for their 2010 Camaro convertible conversion package. The conversion process will take roughly 4-6 weeks to complete.

No pricing information has been released yet, but if you would like more details please visit their web site HERE.