Chevrolet Camaro launches in the Middle East, stops to pose for photos
2010 Chevrolet Camaro in the Middle East – Click above for high-res image gallery
Despite being unusually thrifty for a muscle car, we can't help but think that Chevrolet's new Camaro is secretly happy at the prospect of being released into the Middle East, land of wide-open roads and discount crude. General Motors has just announced that the Camaro will pack its bags and head to the Middle East later this summer, where it already has a wait list at some dealers.
The market will receive two models to start – the 3.6-liter V6 model (in LT trim) and the fire-breathing 6.2-liter V8 SS, the latter of which will be available with the buyer's choice of a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
For our Autoblog Middle East friends, you can configure your new Bowtie at www.camaroarabia.com, and for the rest of us, there's a gigantic new high-res gallery of the Camaro checking out the local sights and the obligatory press release after the jump.
Let the countdown to the first sighting of a reflective gold painted Camaro SS begin!
PRESS RELEASE:
Chevrolet Launches All-New Camaro in Middle East
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - The all-new Chevrolet Camaro has taken North America by storm and is set to expand Chevy's global appeal with its launch in the Middle East later this summer.
Michael Devereux, President of GM Middle East, said, "The all-new Camaro delivers the great looks, performance and technology that Middle East buyers expect in a modern sports car. Enthusiasts in the region started booking their cars months ago, and we expect our allocation of this iconic vehicle to sell out very quickly."
Built on GM's new, global rear-wheel-drive architecture, the Middle East version of the Camaro is offered in a V-6-powered LT model and a V-8-powered SS version.
All models and powertrain combinations are matched with fuel-saving six-speed transmissions. Advanced technologies, including engines with direct injection and Active Fuel Management, enable a satisfying balance of exhilarating performance and good fuel economy.
Under the hood, Camaro LT uses a 3.6L engine with variable valve timing to optimize performance and fuel economy. LT models are estimated at 29 mpg in highway driving, for great fuel economy to complement their fun driving experience. The high-performance Camaro SS is equipped with a powerful 6.2L V-8, with a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Inside the four-passenger cabin, a well-executed balance of heritage, modern design and attention to detail conveys simplicity and refinement with contemporary details in the cluster, switches, dials and lighting.
The Camaro is set to go on sale in the Middle East later this summer but buyers across the region can configure and pre-order their 2010 Camaro now by visiting Chevrolet's exclusive regional website at www.camaroarabia.com.
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General Motors Corp., one of the world's largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 235,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
In the Middle East since the 1920s, GM's brands sold in the region are Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, HUMMER and Saab. GM parts and accessories are sold under the GM Parts and ACDelco brands. GM's regional office in Dubai supports the company's operations in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Yemen. In 2008, GM sold 144, 485 vehicles in the Middle East, a 6% increase over 2007. For more media material on GM in the Middle East, please visit http://media.gm.com/me/gm/en/. More information about GM products in the region can be found at www.gmarabia.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Taglane 12:40PM (6/10/2009)
What a beautiful combo. VR and ABM with white stripes are probably the best colors the Camaro has...
http://www.5thgen.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2004&d=1244404771
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tommy 1:08PM (6/10/2009)
BACKWARDS! Click on the website it says the car has 462 HP!
Berto 12:44PM (6/10/2009)
Hi, I would like to buy 10 Camaros.
Ten? Why so many?
I need two to make a Camaro limo. Three to dip in Gold. One to turn into a Bumblebee replica and four to feed to my hungry pack of Veyrons...
You should make it 11, your son will probably total one trying to drift it
Ah, yes. Cash?
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adam1drift 1:37PM (6/10/2009)
LOL thats Great!
elpepe 4:07PM (6/10/2009)
hahah so true. LUCKY they got oil, cause without it the talentless shisha heads would still be living in the middle ages... physically, not only socially as is now.
mikew 4:31PM (6/10/2009)
Haha, It's like travel photos that a coworker would take... Here's me in front of the... Do I look better this way or that way?
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Julius 1:09PM (6/10/2009)
Where's the gnome?
walkum13 12:46PM (6/10/2009)
Man this is going to sell like crazy over there. Everyone has a BMW/Audi/Mercedes and as a result the American Cars are head turners. A Mustang stand out over there. This thing will sell well, very well
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dukeisduke 12:45PM (6/10/2009)
No interior pictures showing a metric speedo? Me, I'm waiting to see pictures of a Euro version with repeater lights on the front fenders, amber rear turn signals, and rear foglights.
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Slizzo 5:12PM (6/10/2009)
There are repeaters on the front and rear quarter panels... Take a look again.
Rear fog lights? Dunno if it has them, maybe it does. That's one for owners to tell us about. And amber rear turn signals? Well, jury is out on that one as well.
Sea Urchin 12:45PM (6/10/2009)
I like the Fatwa trim level, saudi green stripes and with black oil interior.
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Ed 1:07PM (6/10/2009)
The desert. It calls me.
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Mr.Oak 1:24PM (6/10/2009)
Here is part of the reason that I think that the new trimmed down version of GM will do just fine.
1. GM is moving into markets that they traditionally didn't play in. China, India, South Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe. Chevy is finally becoming a global brand. If Chevy does eventually go truly global, what happens to Holden & Vauxhall?
2. GM now have competitive product in just about every market segment. There is still room for Cadillac to grow up market.
Just hope that management doesn't steer the company back into the ditch again.
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Khalid 3:24PM (6/10/2009)
Gm has been making a killing in Saudi since the 90s. Every Saudi family is practically obliged to own either a: Suburban, Yukon, Caprice or Trailblazer. The new "Tahoe" is on every block now. The holden commodore dubbed "Lumina" in the middle east has been the company car of choice and the SS version is pretty much a g8 with a chevy badge. Cheap spacious rear wheel drive thats what Holden's good for.
PiCASSO 1:25PM (6/10/2009)
Very cool pictures... wished there was more variety of Dubai's landscape instead of the pink hotel in the background.
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allaman 1:28PM (6/10/2009)
Isn't that the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas?
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allaman 1:31PM (6/10/2009)
never mind...but it is similar
Ben 2:58PM (6/10/2009)
It's the newly opened (and already falling apart) Atlantis in Dubai.
Dan 10:25PM (6/10/2009)
I thought the exact same thing!!
The only reason I was doubting myself was the lack of trees around it! LOL
Jimesq 1:43PM (6/10/2009)
I was also going to make the comment that it looked exactly like the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Hmmmmm.
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