Chevrolet Camaro convertible reportedly back on, albeit running late
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
The on again, off again roller coaster ride that is General Motors' product development schedule once again apparently has a green light; the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro convertible. The drop-top Camaro is once again scheduled for a 2011 grand entrance, one year after the first Bowtie pony cars begin rolling off the line in Oshawa. Motor Trend reported back in November that the convertible Camaro was in trouble due to GM's cash crunch, and last week we learned from The Detroit Bureau that financial problems at a German supplier for the car's roof was threating the model's timetable. For its part, General Motors insists that the topless Camaro has always been scheduled for one year after the coupe began production, but now Motor Trend is now saying that the Camaro Convertible will probably not arrive until the first quarter of 2011 (likely as a 2012 model).
With a reported 14,000 pre-orders already on the books for the fixed-roof Camaro, GM is looking at some much needed good news in the short term. To better compete with Ford's Mustang and Dodge's Challenger, though, the General will need to make good on a ragtop variant (and perhaps a Z28, although that looks unlikely to happen). If MT's reports are accurate, the gap between coupe and convertible models is likely to be well over a year, which will be a tough pill for sunlovers to swallow. However, if the production model looks as good as the concept shown above, the Camaro could have all the inertia it needs when the top comes down.
Gallery: Camaro Convertible Concept
[Source: Motor Trend]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Slizzo 1:05PM (3/24/2009)
As far as I can remember, GM has been saying all along that the 'vert would release a year after the hardtop. Only recently has all this news said it's been "delayed".
Right from the beginning GM said that the 'vert would release after regular production started. Where's the news here?
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superman211 3:52PM (3/24/2009)
Looks bad ass. Though I'll bet it will look cheaper when it is produced. I was excited about the Camaro until I sat int he production car. Cheap and lacking were the two words that came to mind.
Mazda FTW! 1:20PM (3/24/2009)
The news is that the automotive media (esp the Internet based) will publish any bit of rumour of fantasy as a report. Just ask the Toyota/Subaru "Super Project" fans.
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the_MVP_X 1:22PM (3/24/2009)
Umm Camaro convertible is turning in the Toyobaru on the rumor market.
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Jj 2:23PM (3/24/2009)
This type of on again - off again is nothing new for automotive development projects. The internet just allows hour by hour updates of the status of the project.
It also allows anyone with a email account at the company to send an "tip" that gets published on some obscure site and spreads from there.
superman211 3:53PM (3/24/2009)
Germans don't do that. They always deliver far above and beyond what we expect.
Taglane 8:28PM (3/24/2009)
It's true. The Convertible is just a little delayed. Just ask Scott Settlemire aka the FBodFather on the Camaro Forums.
Chissvt 1:24PM (3/24/2009)
Those wheels are fantastic. This should be the top of the Camaro. Futuristic yet retro and edgy.
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sqela 1:35PM (3/24/2009)
how much will this weigh?
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Pokey 1:50PM (3/24/2009)
Again with the weight?
Almost all cars are gaining weight. Get over it and find something else about this car to bitch about, like the 10 years it took GM to get it from concept to production, or the super ultra cheapo crappy interior, or whatever else the whiners keep complaining about.
Okay okay, sorry for the outburst. My apologies.
superman211 3:56PM (3/24/2009)
Pokey must be a GM loving moron. Weight is everything!
Taglane 4:36PM (3/24/2009)
I'm thinking around 200 lbs more than the Coupe. Which means the SS should come in at about 4K pounds and the LT. Give or take a few (but mostly give.)
HotRodzNKustoms 1:47PM (3/24/2009)
Give it to me now because I want one! Sadly I am almost ready to go buy a new 2010 Mustang Vert but I really would rather have the Camaro.
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kyle 1:50PM (3/24/2009)
a beautiful car, cant wait to get my hands on one, I know a couple of my buddies at www.affluence.org are going to pick them up too
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Greg 1:58PM (3/24/2009)
Just got back from the Auto Show in ATL where I was able to sit in a Camaro Coupe and I must say... they can keep it. No headroom, shoulder room or back seat ( I'm 6' 200lbs and it was a tight). And the trunk (if you can call it that) was a joke.
I've never been a Chrysler fan but I feel they nailed it with the Challenger. It would be a great daily driver with a great punch under the right foot.
Sorry GM, you missed the mark on this one.
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Josh E. Oliver 2:00PM (3/24/2009)
This new "Detroit Bureau" is off to a great start with solid reporting and blogging, eh?
The truth is they were wrong and the Camaro 'vert was never in danger of being cancelled. However, they were successful in getting their new web-site a ton of traffic!
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jrhmobile 2:09PM (3/24/2009)
You know, if you keep holding in how you really feel, it's gonna get to you ...
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JC 3:17PM (3/24/2009)
Tell that to the Enzo and Elise are horrible sports cars.
Let me guess, you also think double clutch gearboxes are just 'automatics'.
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Shamdiddly 3:19PM (3/24/2009)
Great, bring sexual orientation into an internet forum, you're so novel. I bet you cannot wait to post about penis size in the next Corvette article.
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LMBVette 3:22PM (3/24/2009)
jg....I get the feeling that you're not a fan of convertibles......
I had a convertible Trans Am WS6. It was heavily modded (cam, heads, full exhaust, tuning etc). I regularly ran it at the track. Apparently I was a poser by your standards and never knew it......I'm OK with that.
To each his own...........
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