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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

25/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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In less than two weeks the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers will meet in Dallas to compete in Super Bowl XLV and along with a shiny silver trophy, the MVP will drive off in a new Camaro Convertible.

The car will appear on field and will help drum-up interest in the new-for-2012 model, which is expected to help Chevy retain its dominance over the Ford Mustang. Last year the Camaro out-sold the Mustang, despite being offered as just a coupe.

The Camaro Convertible will hit dealerships in February, offered with both a 312-hp V6 and a 426-hp V8.

GALLERY: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

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17/10/2010 | By: Jason Siu

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After Hennessey’s huge success with the 2010 HPE700 Chevy Camaro, we’re guessing they were a little regretful of only releasing 24 limited edition vehicles. So as any wise business would do, they’re going to do another limited edition release of the HPE700 Camaro, just this time in convertible form. And yes, only 24 of them will be available again… at least for 2011.

Gobs and gobs of power, 755 ponies worth with 763 ft-lbs of torque, is brought to the rear wheels thanks to an LS9 powerplant from the Camaro’s bigger brother, the Corvette ZR1. But it’s not your standard, boring LS9 powerplant, especially since Hennessey got their hands dirty with it. The 6.2L V8 motor is now boasts a lot more boost along with the fuel to keep that air/fuel ratio optimal.

The HPE700 Camaro hardtop hit 0-60 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds with a quarter mile pass of 10.9 @ 130 mph on Nitto drag radials. Our assumption is that the convertible won’t be too far off the mark.

Backing up all the extra horsepower is a set of 15-inch brakes with 6-piston front calipers. Handling is enhanced with a set of coilovers and larger sway bars. Each corner sports a lightweight HPE wheel that actually fits the stylish convertible quite well.

And for minor details, there are carbon fiber trim pieces on the exterior while the interior sports Hennessey logos on the head rests and floor mats. For the driver, an HPE race shift knob and upgraded shifter gives the car a sportier driving feel, while an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel gives it a tad bit of luxury.

Pricing is set at an extreme $132,500 but includes the vehicle (of course) and a day of fun at Lonestar Motorsports Park, next door to Hennessey’s facilities. Now considering what all you can buy for $132,500, we find the pricing a little steep. But for the die-hard Camaro fan out there that wants something limited, we guess it’s an option.

Press release is available after the break.

GALLERY: Hennessey HPE700 Camaro Convertible

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27/09/2010 | By: Colum Wood

A tractor trailer containing not one, not two, but five Chevy Camaro Convertibles was spied yesterday making its way through Toronto. There’s little doubt that the vehicles originated from the Oshawa assembly plant on the East side of the city (where the Camaro is assembled). As for where they’re headed, the obvious guess is to GM’s proving grounds 300 miles down the road in Detroit.

When Chevy does decide to officially launch the Camaro Convertible, expect both V6 and V8 models. We just wonder if they’ll build a Z28 Convertible…

GALLERY: Chevy Camaro Convertibles

[Source: OntarioCTS via GMI]

17/12/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Chevy is planning to take full advantage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, with a long list of debuts. First up is the production version of the sexy-looking Camaro Convertible, which has been shown in concept form and isn’t likely to get many (if any) changes. Expect the same sort of power plants to be available as with the coupe.

The second big debut will be the all-new Aveo, which is expected to arrive in hot-hatch RS trim first. No details were given, but expect the RS model to feature some nice aluminum wheels and some extra aero bits to spice it up. It’s also likely that under the hood we’ll find Chevy’s new 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoTec engine that Chevy first showed at the LA show just a few weeks ago in the all-new Cruze. It makes 138-hp and 148 ft-lbs of torque, while getting 40 mpg on the highway, so it looks like the Aveo might just be a real Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit competitor in the future.

In addition, Chevy is likely to show an updated version of its Orlando MPV, although this isn’t likely to be a full production model yet. Chevrolet has also announced that an all-new Malibu is due out for 2012 and that the Spark will in fact launch in North America in 2011 (despite rumors that it wasn’t going to see U.S. shores).

GALLERY: Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept

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[Source: Cars.com]

27/08/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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The last time the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro was spied, it was outside the car’s production facility in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. These latest spy shots come from the other side of the world.

GMInsideNews forum member isszy captured two photos of eight of the drop-top Camaros at a Holden facility in Fisherman’s Bend, Australia.

The Camaro Convertible was originally scheduled to debut as a 2010 model, but due to GM’s recent financial troubles the project was put on hold. Now that GM is out of bankruptcy, the economy appears headed for a rebound and the Camaro coupe is such a big success for the still-struggling automaker, the Camaro Convertible is back on track for a 2010 debut as a 2011 model.

GALLERY: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Spy Photos

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[Source: GMInsideNews]

16/06/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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The Camaro Convertible has been an on-again, off-again model for Chevy. Officially, it is now on-again and in case you don’t believe the rumors, here are a few pics of the car sitting outside GM’s Oshawa, Canada plant – where the new Camaro is assembled.

No doubt the decision to go ahead with the car as a 2011 model was made after the popularity of the hard-top, with 14,000 pre-orders. In fact, the Camaro plant in Oshawa is running at heightened capacity and the summer brake has been delayed in an effort to keep up with demand.

With few convertibles offered any more, GM is poised to grab a big portion of the drop-top market. We would also expect that fleet sales of the convertible to rental car agencies could be high, especially if Chrysler eliminates the Sebring Convertible.

Sales of the Camaro Convertible are also likely to be majority V6 models and as the hard-top gets 30 highway mpg, we can expect similarly high numbers for the open-air machine. No doubt the car’s fuel-economy factored in to the green-lighting of the project by GM’s new bosses.

After reviewing the hard-top, we’re certain a convertible version is a good plan. The car’s comfortable sedan-like ride will work well for top-down cruising and we definitely won’t be able to complain about a lack of head room. With the Camaro’s curb weight in excess of 3,800 lbs, however, expect the drop-top to weight in at over 4,000 lbs.

[Source: Autoblog]

[Photo Credit: Brad Miller]

24/03/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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The Camaro Convertible is back on track say the latest industry reports. While several media outlets (including Motor Trend) recently reported the indefinite future of the drop-top muscle car, MotorTrend is now reporting an about-face by General Motors.

The apparent reason for putting the model on hold was that the German supplier of the convertible top had gone bankrupt. Presumably GM needed to take some time to find a new parts supplier – something which could have eventually lead to the cancelation of the model.

The latest report, however, is that the supplier is still in business (maybe GM is paying them up front for the parts?) and that the Camaro Convertible will go into production. As a result of these shenanigans, the Camaro Convertible will see a production delay with the wind-in-your-hair sportscar going on sale in 2011 as a 2012 model.

Unfortunately this little incident is the extend of the good news, with plans for the Z28 (a high performance model using the supercharger 6.2-liter V8 found in the Cadillac CTS-V and Corvette ZR1) still slated for the recycle box.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept

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[Source: MotorTrend]