Chevy Drops New Photo Gallery of Camaro ZL1 Coupe and Convertible Models

General Motors has decided to share with us a fresh batch of photos of the next chapter in the Chevrolet Camaro's ongoing 21st century rebirth, the ZL1 series, which will soon launch in both Coupe and Convertible flavors.

The Camaro ZL1 Coupe was first introduced to the public nearly a year ago at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, and it will arrive in U.S. dealerships this spring as a 2012 model with a starting price of $54,995 (€43,000).

It’s Convertible brethren will join in later in the summer as a 2013 model with pricing to be announced closer to the launch date, though if Chevrolet keeps the same pricing policy as the regular open-top versions, buyers should expect a $5,000 to $6,000 premium over the coupe model.

Both the Coupe and Convertible variants of the ZL1 get a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 SAE-rated at 580HP (432 kW) and 556 lb.-ft. of torque (754 Nm), which makes it the most powerful engine ever to be offered on a series production Camaro.

The Camaro ZL1 Coupe with the 6sp manual hits 60mph from a rolling start in 4.0 seconds and the quarter mile in 12.1 seconds at 119mph (191km/h) before it tops out at 180mph (290 km/h). The automatic model is slightly faster at 3.9 seconds, 12.0 seconds and 184mph (296 km/h) respectively.

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Chevrolet Camaro and Camaro ZL1 at SEMA Show

Automakers are getting ready for some aftermarket fun at the annual SEMA Show that takes place in Las Vegas from November 1 through 4.

General Motors is heading down to the strip with a variety of concept and project cars including a number of prototypes based on the 2012MY Camaro coupe, convertible and of course, the upcoming ZL1.

Among those is the Camaro Convertible Red Zone concept that has been upgraded with a selection collection of accessories such as the silver heritage stripe and 21-inch polished-face alloy wheels.

The Synergy Edition Concept, which Chevy says may enter production as a special edition, gets a distinctive silver exterior with black stripes and red accents along with a matching interior. GM has not yet released any photos of the car.

The 1LE option code designation that was introduced in the Camaro’s third generation makes a comeback in concept form combining components from the SS and the upcoming ZL1.

Finally, there's also a prototype based on next year's Camaro ZL1 called the Carbon Concep. As the name implies, among other components, it is adorned with carbon-fiber parts inside and out.

GM said that it will display several other Camaro models including a real-life homage to the “Custom Camaro” that was part of the original Hot Wheels 1:64-scale line in 1968.

For more detailed info on the Camaros announced today, scroll down to check out the official release on each model.

[From GM Press Release]

 

Camaro Red Zone Concept

A design statement achieved with current and future accessories is the inspiration for the Camaro Red Zone Concept. It uses the Camaro convertible’s style to demonstrate what’s possible with a carefully selected collection of accessories – and it debuts a new, heritage-inspired stripe graphic that will be available soon. The result is a tasteful combination that blends contemporary style with a classic flair.

Vehicle highlights:

• New-for-2012 model year Crystal Claret exterior color with black convertible tonneau cover


• Chevrolet Accessories 21x8.5-inch silver/polished-face wheels


• Silver heritage stripe


• Chevrolet Accessories body-color grille and convertible wind screen


• Suspension lowering kit by Pedders (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)


• Concept polished strut tower brace


• Concept “RS” underhood liner


• Titanium leather interior with Silver Ice accents


• Black soft instrument panel insert


• Chevrolet Accessories Silver Ice door and instrument panel inserts


• Chevrolet Accessories floor mats with silver “CAMARO” logos.

“This is a Camaro for those who want great looks and a performance personality,” said designer Adam Barry. “It’s a simple yet dramatic statement that is uniquely Camaro.”

 

 

Camaro Synergy Series Concept

The Camaro’s Synergy special editions were born at SEMA, and this vehicle is a new take on the concept, using the best of the best of Camaro accessories – as well as a distinctive silver exterior with red accents. Chevrolet will be listening to the reaction that this Synergy concept receives at SEMA, as it could be brought to production.

Vehicle highlights:

• Silver Ice exterior color with black Synergy stripes on the hood, with decklid and “mail slot” decals with red line inserts


• Synergy gill decals and no SS or RS exterior badges


• Chevrolet Accessories body-color ground effects and grille


• Chevrolet Accessories 21-inch wheels – black with red stripe


• Suspension lowering kit by Pedders (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)


• Red Brembo^® brake calipers


• Chevrolet Accessories red engine cover


• Concept “SS“ underhood liner


• Concept polished strut tower brace


• Chevrolet Accessories floor mats (ebony with red and “CAMARO” logo in silver)


• Chevrolet Accessories lighting kit (displayed in red)


• Hurst^® short-throw shifter


• Black leather interior with red accent stitching on seats, console, doors, steering wheel and shifter boot


• Silver Ice instrument panel and door inserts


• Black leather instrument panel soft insert with red stitching


• SS logo with red outline on the head restraints


• Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit

 

Camaro 1LE Concept

Born in the Camaro’s third generation and refined further in the fourth generation as a road-racing performance package, the legendary 1LE option code designation returns to the Camaro as a concept intended to carve up road courses. While only a concept, it borrows production components from both the Camaro SS and forthcoming Camaro ZL1 to deliver a competition-ready package. Hash mark graphics on the front fender are pure Chevrolet racing cues, too.

Vehicle highlights:

• Victory Red exterior color, with flat black hood and hash mark extensions


• Satin black splitter, rocker panels, rear spoiler and outside mirrors


• Sport suspension featuring Magnetic Ride Control


• Electric power steering


• Six-speed manual close-ratio transmission


• Lightweight 20x10-inch (front) and 20x11-inch (rear) racing wheels (satin black)


• Goodyear^® Eagle F1 Supercar G asymmetrical tires (from the ZL1)


• Brembo^® six-piston front calipers, with two-piece front rotors, and four-piston rear calipers (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)


• Dual exhaust outlets with ZL1-style active exhaust and diffuser


• Shock tower brace


• Chevrolet Accessories red engine cover


• Black leather interior with Light Stone stitching


• Graphite Silver door and instrument panel inserts


• ZL1shifter with Light Stone stitching


• ZL1 flat-bottom steering wheel


• Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit

“The Camaro 1LE concept is all about the track,” said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Camaro. “It’s an all-out race car package that pays tribute to that special option from the past.”

 

 

Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept

Welcome to the dark side of Camaro ZL1. This concept incorporates all the technology and performance of the Camaro ZL1 – which goes on sale in 2012 – but with an added layer of carbon fiber to add a decidedly sinister-looking element of form to a car that’s all about function. Included on this concept is the new Ashen Gray exterior paint (available on all 2012 Camaro models).

Vehicle highlights:

• Chevrolet Accessories exposed-weave carbon fiber “Mohawk” hood insert


• Carbon fiber rear spoiler with stainless-steel wicker bill


• Carbon fiber inserts on the interior door and instrument panel


• Lightweight 20x10-inch (front) and 20x11-inch (rear) wheels in satin black with machined faces


• Brembo^® six-piston front calipers, with two-piece front rotors, and four-piston rear calipers (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)


• Magnetic Ride Control


• Dual exhaust outlets with active exhaust and diffuser


• Jet Black leather interior with sueded microfiber seat inserts and Torch Red stitching


• ZL1 short-throw shifter with suede and carbon fiber-trimmed shift knob


• Suede-trimmed flat-bottom steering wheel


• ZL1 pedals

“This concept’s dramatic appearance matches the extreme performance capabilities of the Camaro ZL1,” said Tony Roma, program engineering manager for the Camaro ZL1. “And even if its styling doesn’t intimidate you, its performance on the track will.”

 

 

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Ford Says New 2014 Mustang will be Less Retro, More Modern

In 2014, Ford will celebrate the Mustang’s 50th anniversary and it will do so by launching a brand new model. The revelation comes from the company’s design chief, J Mays, who spoke to journalist during the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt.

According to Mays, the design of the next-generation Mustang has already “locked down” three years ahead of its launch. The real surprise, though, is that Mays states that the new version of Ford’s iconic pony car will look more into the future than in to its past.

"Both redesigns introduced in 2005 and 2010 are retro vehicles," Mays told journalist on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Motor Show. "The challenge with the 50th anniversary car is to not just look back over your shoulder, but to try to win all of the Mustang faithful yet bring the brand forward as well.”

That’s quite a high order, but Mays is more than confident that, even though the new Mustang will be different, it will still retain its character.

“It has to look like a Mustang, but you go down a list of things than might or might not be necessary to make the car look like a Mustang," said Mays.

Ford really needs the new Mustang to succeed, as the current model is lagging behind its arch enemy/rival, GM's Chevrolet Camaro. In the first eight months of the year, Chevrolet's pony car has outsold the Mustang by more than 10,000 units – and that’s not counting the convertible version that recently hit the market.

Story source: Automotive News [sub.req.]

 

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