2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Details Released Ahead of World Debut

Published Nov 16, 2010

Just the Facts:
•The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will be offered in similar model configurations as the Camaro coupe, says GM.
•The standard model will have a 312-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, the SS model will get the 6.2-liter V8 producing 426 hp.
•The Camaro convertible will make its world debut tomorrow at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.


LOS ANGELES — The long-awaited details on the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible were officially released on Tuesday, with GM noting that the droptop will be offered in similar model configurations as the Camaro coupe. The convertible will make its world debut tomorrow at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The standard model will have a 312-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, delivering an estimated 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. The SS model will get the 6.2-liter V8 producing 426 hp. The standard SS delivers an estimated 16 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway.

A six-speed transmission will be standard, with a six-speed automatic as an option. The automatic SS models get a slightly less potent V8 engine, with an output coming in at 400 horses.

GM said the Camaro convertible will be offered in 1LT/2LT trim packages for the V6 model and 1SS/2SS trim packages for the V8 model. The starting price for the convertible, which was previously announced, is $30,000, including an $850 destination charge. The Camaro convertible will go on sale in February.

Nine production exterior colors are available, with tops offered in black or tan. Rear parking assist is standard.

GM said it made four strategic reinforcements to enhance the convertible's body structure. They include a tower-to-tower brace under the hood, a transmission support reinforcement brace, an underbody tunnel brace and front and rear underbody "V" braces. The automaker also said that it bolstered the structure of the convertible instead of softening the suspension.

In a rather bold statement, GM said that "the structural changes to the Camaro convertible body give it superior bending and torsional stiffness than its closest competitor, and better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3 Series convertible."

The Camaro convertible's power-folding top retracts in about 20 seconds. GM said on RS-equipped LT models and SS models, which include a rear spoiler, a small "shark fin" OnStar/XM antenna is mounted on the deck lid, while the AM/FM radio antenna is hidden inside the rear spoiler. It describes this feature as a "patent pending design" intended to create a sleeker appearance. For LT models without the RS package, the antenna is located in the center of the deck lid.

Inside Line says: Critical details for those salivating over the new Camaro convertible. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent