Car of the Day - Chevrolet Camaro Concept

Car of the Day - Chevrolet Camaro Concept

Chevrolet launched the new Camaro Concept at NAIAS back in 2006. The design hit the mark dead centre with obvious references to the 1969 Camaro while remaining a completely new and contemporary design. To the delight of all who remember the original - the ponycar wars started all over again. Ford with their Mustang would no longer have the sector all to itself and with Dodge releasing the Challenger, muscle car enthusiast were in 7th heaven.

The new design shouts muscle car and while keeping the long nose, raked windscreen short boot proportions of the original it is more hard edged and purposeful. The introduction of the crisp V lines throughout obviously came from the YF-22 Fighter Jet that the design team used for inspiration. The integration of those crisp hard edges with the classic Camaro look works very well.

Chevrolet turned to it’s global rear-wheel-drive team in Australia to develop the new Camaro. With the considerable experience developing the continuous range of rear wheel drive muscle sedans, as well as the Monaro/Pontiac GTO, the Australian team have continued the development of a rear-drrive platform suitable for V8’s, an area somewhat lost in America since it’s movement in the 80’s to front wheel drive.

The new platform allows a vast array of engine and running gear options; from frugal V6’s through to the current 6.2 litre V8, which also by original period muscle car standards is comparatively economical. The new Camaro is a much more sophisticated car than the first generation of muscle cars with four wheel independent suspension, a feature it has over the Mustang

No matter your preference, whether you are a Ford, GM or Mopar person - we all benefit with the availability of such classic choices.

Rod Halligan