CHEVROLET / CAMARO
Latest American muscle car returns with classic V8 engine - and right-hand drive models are planned for early 2010
Design and packaging
These first official pictures of the Chevrolet Camaro reveal that its styling has remained faithful with the concept version first shown in 2006. The last Camaro to be made was in 2002.
The main alterations are the side-view mirrors, mag wheels and exhaust pipes all of which are more restrained in appearance.
The essence of the Camaro is the wedgy lines to give it a more contemporary feel over the older models. And like its American opposition (see sidebar), the Camaro has the classic upright stance for the front end.
The Camaro is designed as a 2+2 coupe whose interior has changed substantially from the concept. There are fewer luminescent materials inside, although the panel dials have a turquoise glow that adds to the ambience.
The Camaro has been developed with the help of Holden, General Motors' Australian offshoot consigned to engineering rear-wheel-drive platforms for all in-house global brands. The Camaro gets all-round multi-link suspension.
Engines and transmissions
Like the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang, the Camaro is available with either a V6 or V8 petrol engine. Both motors have either a six-speed manual or automatic to choose from.
The base Camaro is powered by a 300hp 3.5-litre V6. Although it is more powerful than its two archrivals, it's still 13hp less than in the Nissan 350Z, which Chevrolet labels as another competitor.
The all-new 370Z, due to make its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, is slated to get a 333hp 3.7-litre V6 in place of the current 313hp 3.5-litre V6.
But since the Nissan has no V8 option, Chevrolet has a solution to counter it with a 420hp 6.1-litre V8 in SS guise - to also match the Challenger in SRT-8 - which additionally gets Brembo brakes.
And to quell possible criticism from green activists, this V8 cuts off operation of four cylinders under light throttle. For local motorists not familiar with this technology, it's similar to that used in the Honda Accord 3.5 V6.
No performance figures for the Camaro were released.
Market and price
Production of the Camaro starts in the first quarter of next year at GM's plant in Canada with right-hand-drive versions to follow a year later.
This theoretically gives the Thai Chevrolet head office a chance to sell the Camaro on a completely built-up basis to help build on image as Nissan is doing with the 350Z, albeit with a specification slightly different to the US.
Chevrolet Sales Thailand is still mum on the sales potential of the Camaro, although there's a faction inside the company that supports small-scale imports to help strengthen the "American-ness" of the brand in a country diluted by the "Korean-ness" associated with Thai-made mainstream cars and SUVs.
Chevrolet could be adopting Nissan's strategy by appointing selected dealers in the capital to handle sales and servicing of imports like the Camaro.
Engineering of V6 engines is no longer new to Thai mechanics now that the Lumina large family car is being imported from Australia.
Pricing of the Camaro hasn't been disclosed yet, although it could fall in the vicinity of the 350Z's B4.8m range in V6 form. In addition, the V8 could be B3m cheaper than similarly powered BMW M3 Coupe' which retails at B9.9 in Thailand.
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Pony war complete
The three classic American muscle cars are back. But unlike the Camaro, the other two don't stand a chance of coming to Thailand on an official basis
Dodge Challenger
Having launched it in the US earlier this year, Dodge broke hearts of enthusiasts in this part of the world by saying no right-hand-drive models were planned. The Challenger has a 250hp 3.5-litre V6 base version and is topped by the SRT-8 whose 6.1-litre V8 produces a class-leading 425hp.
Ford Mustang
Like the Challenger, the Mustang is aimed primarily at the US market, meaning the steering hasn't shifted to the right. It's the meekest of the three getting 210hp 4.0-litre V6 and 300hp 4.6-litre V8. Bullitt V8 special, as pictured here, has got the spicey looks, but only a 15hp upgrade.
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