Exclusive: GM's New 2010 Camaro Concepts Debuted at SEMA

[mark@lsxtv]

Over 800,000 Camaros were produced from 1967 to 2002. Finally, after 8 years of waiting, the Camaro was born again. The hype of the concept Camaro has shifted to reality, with over 7,000 cars preordered, most of which are V8. There was only one place you could find every complete 2010 Camaro in one spot, and that was today at SEMA 2008, during the Camaro project revealing. Nearly a thousand people filled the main ballroom at the Las Vegas Hilton to see the latest and greatest from GM.



powerTV was a guest of GM for the unveiling of all the 2010 Camaro project vehicles, in which a fair amount will be offered to the public. The luncheon that started with a salad, ended with a flavorful finale of built Camaros. Ed Peper, Vice President of GM North America, arrived in style in a stock production Camaro SS, which is the most powerful Camaro ever built. Ed took us through each Camaro, starting with the bolt-on Camaro RS and ending on the Camaro Black and Dale Earnhardt Jr. edition. Below, we will take you through each Camaro; giving you an inside view of these project cars.

[mark@lsxtv]

This is probably the coolest of the project vehicles that were displayed. Inside the bright red Camaro was a heart from a Z06. The LS7 the sits so perfectly inside the engine bay, is a far cry from a stock SS. A header-back exhaust, intake, and hot cam boost the stock LS7 power from 505 horsepower to 586 horsepower and 545 ft./lbs.

Click Here for the Full Gallery




A quick stroke of the key and all seven liters came to life, and let me tell you, it sounded dead sexy. The aggressive Camaro sat there with a hefty lope, sounding like it wanted to kill everything in its path. Here are some of the features on the LS7 Camaro:

• Brembo four-wheel disc brake package
• Lowered Ride Height
• Custom 20-inch wheels
• Driveshaft safety loop
• GM Performance Parts exhaust system





Historical Chevy dealers like Don Yenko and Fred Gibb made COPO cars famous in the late 1960’s. The LS7 Camaro blends the delicate balance of a daily driver with the capability of turning the Camaro into a weekend warrior with GM Performance Parts. One difference that sets the modern-day Camaro apart from the 40-year-old counterpart, is luxury. Now you have the ability to own a 600 horsepower streetcar and still have the ability to enjoy air conditioning and cruise control.



Making of the Beast

The idea is to take a new V6 Camaro (or SS if your pocket allows) and rip the heart out of it for the LS7 power plant. GMPP marketing manager, Dr. Jamie Meyer says, “This is a special example of what the end consumer is going to do with their Camaro. This is for the guy that wants a 427 Camaro like the old days, that is not afraid of voiding the warrantee.” Putting the engine in the Camaro is easier then you imagine. Since all LS family engines bolt in the same, the Camaro makes it virtually a bolt-and-go affair. Dr. Meyer says, “You swap it in, re-calibrate the computer, of course you want to put a good intake and exhaust system on it and away you go with one awesome Camaro”. One item you want to take into consideration is the dry sump oiling system that is featured on the LS7 engine, that doesn’t come equipped on either the V6 or SS version. The transmission of choice on the LS7 is the Tremec 6060 six-speed transmission.



Exterior and Interior Styling

The Camaro LS7 has an aggressive appearance. It starts with a Victory Red paint job and matte black accents on the hood and tail lamp panel. Strategically placed LS7 badges can be found on three corners of the Camaro, telling surrounding foes that this Camaro means business. Also the design team put together a set of 20-inch machine-faced wheels that fit 305/35/20s in the rear. Having fat tires out back will help tame the 545 ft./lbs. that is displayed through the LS7 engine.



Interior amenities are something that you won’t find in this Camaro. Only a few accents, such as the gauge pack is all you will find inside. The concept of this is simple: Gear heads care more about performance then they do about extra interior weight and amenities that are not needed. The LS7 Camaro will be a corner stone for inspiration of future 2010 Camaro builders; more horsepower then a Z06 for thousands less? Sure, why not?

[mark@lsxtv]

Camaro GS Racecar Concept

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Mark Donodue’s iconic Trans Am blue-and-yellow Camaro was re born today under the soul of 2010 Camaro. Donodue was a dominant racer in his #6 1969 model Camaro to the series championship during that year. The Koni Challenge series sees a variance of cars including BMWs to Acuras. The Challenge series will become more diversified with the induction of the 2010 Camaro.

Developing the GS-Concept



GM’s High Performance Vehicle Operations and North Carolina based Riley Technologies, teamed up to recreate this tribute car that is a competition ready and tested. Riley Technologies will take a body-in-white Camaro and build you a competition ready car for the 2009 Koni Challenge Series. Visually, the car looks rather tame, but there is much more under the skin that you don’t see.

Racing Features



The GS-Concept comes with a race-ready suspension, reinforced chassis and drivetrain to meet increasingly strict certification that the series demands.

The GS at the show, has already logged many hours at the track to help dial in the chassis for future customers. It came in with grime and brake dust hidden in the un-suspecting (and obvious) locations, though from the outside, it boasts a virtually perfect image. GM’s director of performance, Tom Peters commented, “It’s a bona-fide, genuine campaign that’s coming from Europe. When you look at it, down to the detail, it’s still a true Camaro.” The chassis comes seam-welded with carbon fiber trunk lid, doors, and fenders. The other funny part is the traction control button on the switch panel.



The engine is still a production LS3 with solid engine mounts and backed by a Tremec 6060 six-speed transmission with close ratio gearing. Cooling comes from a C&R racing aluminum radiator, accompanied by transmission and differential coolers. Slap a stock set of wheels on the car without graphics, and the only way you can tell the difference versus a production Camaro on the outside, are the exterior latches and tow hooks. Keep an eye out next year, as the GS-Concept Camaro will be fighting amongst the competition.

• Seam-welded production Camaro body-in-white
• Carbon fiber hood, trunk lid, doors, fenders
• Production LS3 V8 engine (used with solid engine mounts)
• Tremec 6060 six-speed manual transmission with close-ratio gearing
• Three-inch exhaust system with Coast Fab mufflers
• C&R racing aluminum radiator
• Upgraded engine cooler
• Transmission and differential coolers

[TheNewGuy]

While the Camaro unveiling today was packed with one off versions of the 2010 Camaro, production Camaros made just as much of an impact as the concepts cars did. First up was the SS Camaro. With its 422 horsepower LS3 and 6 speed Tremec transmission it is set to appeal to the V8 lovers all over the country. When paired with the RS package, which is a cosmetic upgrade that gives the RS Camaro a unique look of its own.


Check Out the Photos Of the SS and RS Camaros Here.



Camaro SS:

What more needs to be said about this car. With an available 422 horsepower LS3 engine that is standard in the C6 Corvette, this Camaro comes from the factory with Brembo four piston calipers and a family of 18, 19, and 20 inch wheels.



Performance:

The 422 horsepower is feed through the Tremec TR6060 transmission to the Camaro’s all new independent rear suspension. Add to that Chevy’s available Active Fuel Management, these V8 Camaros can find away in anyone’s garage. With all that power it comes as no surprise that Chevy added their StabiliTrak stability control system and traction control and made it standard on all models. Brembo Brakes make sure that no matter how much you push this Camaro, it will come to a stop when you need it to.



Exterior:

Sporting the retro inspired robust body design, this Camaro hits home to anyone that is a fan of classic Camaros or retro inspired muscle cars. Available in ten exterior colors, the new Camaro plays homage to Camaro of the 60s but with the look of a true 21st century sports car in mind. With classic SS badges this Camaro is as true to the old school as the engine is to the new school.



Interior:

The new Camaro not only takes it's interior styling features from classic Camaros, but it also integrates modern day convinces and safety features that one would expect in any modern car. With sleek styling that carefully intergrades the heritage inspired design with an attention to safety via six standard air bags and available ambient lighting.

Camaro RS

The styling package features the most desirable options for the 2010 Camaro. With the most modern options in one package this is set to be the most popular offering of the new Camaro.



Exterior:

The already muscular styling of the Camaro is improved with High Intensity Discharge Headlamps that feature integrated halo rings. The lighting advancements continue in the rear where you will find RS specific tail lamps also featured on the Camaro Black and Dale Earnhardt Jr Edition Concepts. To top it off the RS gives you 20 inch wheels and a spoiler to set the RS off from other 2010 Camaros.

[TheNewGuy]

One of the most talked about concepts at this year’s SEMA show was unveiled today along with a assortment of other Chevy Camaros. The Camaro Black’s stealthy approach to street style was meet with many people asking the question, where can I order one?


You can check out the entire photo gallery here.



The Camaro Black was designed by Sangyup Lee to be a sinister-looking urban tuner vehicle to show the Camaro’s darker side and gives a look into what a modified Camaro could look like. It features upgrades such as tinted glass and a special darkened version of Chevy’s new 21-inch wheel. The overall design is truly different from anything else at this show. Using a combination of Chevy accessories and custom parts the Camaro Black was a show stopper the entire day. The interesting part to me was the use of GM’s 3.5L Direct Injection V6 that pumps out an amazing 300 horsepower. Proving that the use of a V8 isn’t necessary if you are looking to turn heads of the street with a new Camaro. Check out the breakdown on the Camaro Black Below. Keep in mind while the drivetrain remains stock on this car, there are plenty of other features of this car that are unique to this car.



Exterior:

The Camaro Black features some of Chevy’s best accessories soon to be available for the 2010 Camaro. Right away it isn’t hard to question the use of Chevy hot looking ground effects package with the rear diffuser but other design elements raised questions and eye brows from the media on hand for the event. The biggest question of the day was about the use of the flat black hood. Lee told us that he didn’t want the car to be lost in just gloss black, the flat black hood is there to break up the car and give depth to the entire car as well. He then when on to explain how “you can create a diversified look with each Camaro.”




The 21st century sport car-sinister theme continues even in the wheels of the car using Chevy’s new 21 inch wheel but adding a black finish to it in front of the Brembo Brakes. The RS package tail lamps were use but with dark-tinted lenses and a revised darker grille finish. The biggest, and coolest in my option, design feature was the high-intensity discharge headlamps from the RS package but with a unique red ‘halo ring’ color. Overall the Camaro Black’s exterior is something that shouldn’t be ignored as a dark look into the Camaro.



Interior:

The dark theme continues on the interior with the use of a red LED instrument lighting and red footwell ambient lighting design to set the mood for the interior. Complete with custom sill plates and dark finished accents this Camaro is defiantly the dark child of the GM performance show cars at the event. When I say everything is black, I almost mean everything. That includes the shift knob, radio face, steering wheel ring, gauges, and even the door handles. The only exception to this the small amount of red to keep it from looking like death on wheels. You can find this small amount of red in not only the gauges, but on the leather covered seats as well that also include grey accent stitching. The seats are the only part of the car the you will find any other colors other that black or red besides the engine. Also included in the build was Chevy’s premium audio upgrade with MTX speakers.

[TheNewGuy]

The name Dale Earnhardt means different things to different people. Add the letters JR to that name and you will get an entire different list of things. Now there is one more thing to add the Earnhardt JR legacy, the 2010 Camaro Dale Earnhardt Jr Concept.


Check out the Photo Gallery here!



Starting with the already stunning Camaro SS the 6.2L V8 was modified to use E85 fuel and then calibrated to deliver more horsepower. Complete with a custom gray over white paint scheme that blends the high performance look with some serious style this Camaro is ready to stop traffic no matter where it is driven.



Dale Jr himself held a key role in the designing of this concept with the power to veto anything on the project. Built to his liking, the car features a set of 21 inch wheel inspired by the Camaro Convertible Concept. But this car is more than just good looks with a six-speed TR6060 transmission and Carbon-fiber treatment on the instrument panel and door panel inserts this car was a favorite for NASCAR and Camaro fans alike.



Performance:

With the standard 6.2 L V8 the team choose to modified this phenomenal engine to make use of E85 fuel for its favorable octane rating and fuel economy, combined with the Chevy Accessories exhaust system this car is as much about performance as it is style. The 21 inch wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero ZR-rated performance tires to help this Camaro hug the road under hard acceleration and cornering. The power from the E85 tuned 6.2L flows through the Tremec TR6060 to the Camaro’s all new independent rear suspension to produce the power that fans of fuel efficient V8 lovers crave in a production car.



Interior:

The interior in this car features a custom trimmed leather and suede covered seats with orange accent stitching. The Jr Concept also take advantage of leather trimmed steering wheel, shift knob, door armrests, center console lid, and plenty on accent stitching to match. The Dale Earnhardt Jr concept uses the production optional four pack auxiliary gauge cluster that is revised with a unique gauge cluster graphics and colors. Racing style aluminum pedals keep your feet happy and the Hurst short throw shifter to keep your hands busy to make this concept a desirable piece for all fans of Camaros.



Exterior:

Dale Earnhardt Jr is a man that loves his classic Camaros. To be exact he rolls around in a 1972 Camaro that is powered by a LS create engine so it is no surprise that he is one of the biggest fans of the retro designed 2010 Camaro. Also a fan of uniquely styled vehicles it comes as no surprise that he opted for the Chevy Accessories grille, ground effects, rear diffuser, RS tail lamps, HID headlamps, and ‘dovetail’ rear spoiler on the car. Keeping with the theme of the old school COPO Camaros even the colors on the exterior of the Dale Earnhardt Camaro are production Camaro colors. Proving that if you wish to have a one bad ass 2010 Camaro you need not look farther than the GM Performance Catalog.



Accessories:

Many people do not know that Dale Jr is a huge fan of music. Even his ’72 Camaro is iPod compatible. So it comes as no surprise that his version of the 2010 Camaro come with Chevy’s optional audio system that included a Boston Acoustics speaker system complete with amps and subwoofers. This Camaro is ready to perform on the track, the gas pump, as well as the driveway. It is also ready to let people know who was the head poncho on the design team.