Rick Wagoner to step down

The Associated Press is reporting that a person with knowledge of General Motors' plans says Rick Wagoner will step down immediately as chairman and chief executive of the struggling Detroit automaker. The person asked not to be identified because Wagoner's plans have not been formally announced.

The move comes on the eve of President Obama unveiling his plan to reinvigorate the U.S. auto industry.

Wrecked Camaro in Ontario

Looks like we may have the first damaged 2010 Camaro captured in North Oakville, Ontario.
Appears to be a red jewel Camaro SS

Looks like the car was assigned to a GM driver and they let a non-GM person drive the car, no word on who was at fault, but that is a big internal No No.

I wouldn't want to be the GM employee making that call ;)

Camaros in Troy, Michigan

Met a few friends at Camp Ticonderoga in Troy, Michigan tonight to see a few captured fleet cars up close and personal. Four cars, two SS and two V6, all manual transmissions.

Click HERE to see the rest of the images on MichiganClassics.com







Camaro SS a 13 second ride

Edmunds put the 2010 Camaro through the paces, how does a 13 second 1/4 mile sound right off the showroom floor!

1/4 mile: 113.02 seconds @ 110.9 MPH
0-60: 5.0 seconds
60-0: 109 feet
skidpad: .88g

Convertible Camaro is back on

Kicking Tires reports, "The automaker now says we can expect the Camaro convertible to make its debut in early 2011, likely as a 2012 model."

Plans for the car were scuttled last week when the German company scheduled to build its power top told GM it was on the verge of bankruptcy. However, KT explains, "Now the company appears to be solvent for the time being and will supply the tops."

Great news for those of us holding out for the open air Camaro. Now to get the V6 or the SS...

Camaro SS 364 RWHP on the dyno

Livernois Motorsports in Dearborn Heights, Michigan had the all new 2010 Camaro SS on the dyno earlier this week.

Looks like the LS3 with six speed transmission pulls 364 RWHP and 371 pound feet of torque out of the box, not bad GM!

Camaro burnout video

Best one yet, this looks like some fun!

Vortech Wants Your 2010 Camaro

Mar 19, 2009

Vortech is developing a new supercharger system for the 2010 V8 Camaro. You can be one of the first owners.

Here is how it works:

  1. Let us borrow your car for a few weeks.
  2. Buy the supercharger system from us (at a discounted price).
  3. We install the system on your car and test it to make sure it works.
  4. You get your car back with a factory-installed supercharger.
  5. Your friends are jealous because you got it first.

Call 805-247-0226 or email info@vortechsuperchargers.com for more information.

A lap in the Camaro Daytona 500 pace car

This reporter takes a ride with Jimmie Johnson in the 2009 Daytona 500 Pace Car Camaro.

115 MPG in a production vehicle.

2010 Camaro Burnout

Looks like GM's Al Oppenheiser, Chief Vehicle Engineer of the new Camaro, took a Camaro SS through the paces in this nice burnout video.

Click HERE to see the video on Jalopnik

Camaro 001 rolls off the line at Oshawa

From newsdurhamregion.com, Camaro 001 was driven outside Oshawa assembly today by it's new owner, Rick Hendrick. Ontairo Camaro Club members were on hand to witness this event on the first day of official Camaro production.

Click HERE to read the whole story and see video of the Black Camaro SS VIN 001

Official GM Press release

THE 2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO – A FUN, EFFICIENT SPORTS CAR FOR THE 21st CENTURY

DETROIT – The wait is over. After a seven-year hiatus, the new Chevrolet Camaro is now back in dealer showrooms.

Combining great looks, performance and advanced technology, the 2010 Camaro honors its heritage while delivering on customer expectations of a sports coupe for the 21st century.

“The new Camaro delivers a modern, advanced package of performance, comfort and technology,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager and General Motors vice president. “It’s a personal car for a generation of enthusiasts, both young and old, that honors the Camaro’s heritage with a thoroughly contemporary design.

Built on the new global rear-wheel-drive passenger car platform, Camaro embodies GM’s global vehicle development and design process. The original design concept was conceived in the United States, with engineering shared by both Australia and U.S. teams. Validation was conducted on roads throughout the world and assembly is handled by GM’s award–winning plant in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.

Design features

With a design that is very close to the original concept, the 2010 Camaro acknowledges its heritage from the first-generation Camaro, produced from 1967 through 1969. The two-door sports coupe features classic proportions over a 112.3-inch (2,852 mm) wheelbase. The overall length of the Camaro is 190.4 inches (4,836 mm); width and height are 75.5 inches (1,918 mm) and 54.2 inches (1,376 mm), respectively.

The long hood and short deck are pushed to the far corners of the muscular fender forms and a fast, 67-degree rake windshield contributes to aerodynamic performance that includes a 0.37 coefficient of drag (Cd) on V-6 models and a slightly sleeker 0.35 Cd on the V-8-powered SS model.

Wheel arch openings received special attention through the design process. Whether the Camaro is equipped with the standard 18-inch, or optional 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, the relationship of the top of the tire and bottom of the fender is consistent on all models. All models also feature the classic “V” design motif in the nose, along with a 2.5-inch (63.5 mm) power dome in the aluminum hood, reminiscent of high-performance Camaro models. On SS models, a simulated air intake is located in the upper front fascia and the lower air intake is larger.

On the top, designers took a cue from Corvette and sculpted twin cockpits across the roof, giving the vehicle a distinctive Chevrolet presence. From the outside, the B-pillar is invisible to the eye, lending the true appearance of a hardtop coupe. The B-pillar is designed to provide increased structural rigidity to the car. And to ensure quality in the manufacturing process, a one-piece body stamping provides a cleaner overall side appearance that is free of seams, gaps or plastic appliqués. “Gills” located in the front of the rear quarter panel also are familiar Camaro styling cues.

Ten exterior colors are available and include Black, Victory Red, Rally Yellow and Silver Ice Metallic. Red Jewel Tintcoat is also available as an option. The color palette also includes Cyber Gray Metallic, Aqua Blue Metallic, Inferno Orange Metallic, White and Imperial Blue Metallic.

An RS appearance package is available on LT and SS. It includes HID headlamps with integrated halo rings, a rear spoiler on LT, specific taillamps and 20-inch wheels with a Midnight Silver finish.

Interior details

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. An available ambient light package, for example, offers advanced LED light pipe technology, giving the cabin a distinctive glow.

Deep, recessed gauges, located in square housings outlined in chrome, give a nod to the classic Camaro interior. The instrument panel gauges include both speedometer and engine rpm, with a driver information center located between the large gauges – its readouts and features controlled via a stalk on the steering column. An optional, console-mounted gauge package includes oil pressure, oil temperature, volts and transmission fluid temperature. The gauge package is included on 2LT and 2SS models.

Cloth upholstery is standard and leather-appointed seats are included on 2LT and 2SS models. Four-way manual adjustment including fore/aft and up/down on the driver seat and two-way adjustment on the passenger seat is standard. Heated, leather-trimmed seats with driver six-way power adjustment are optional.

Both LT and SS standard cloth and available leather interior colors are black, gray and beige. The front seat travel is a generous 8.5 inches (216 mm) from front to back. On SS models, the seats feature a distinctive SS logo on the headrest with contrasting stitching. An Inferno Orange interior trim package also will be available with leather interiors.

All models include a three-spoke steering wheel with manual tilt/telescope adjustment. Cruise control and rear defog also are standard, while a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; redundant steering wheel controls; Bluetooth and USB port are part of the available Driver Convenience and Connectivity package. Also included in the package is remote start on automatic transmission-equipped vehicles, as well as a personal device interface module for iPods.

Soon after production begins, customers will be able to order a short-throw Hurst shifter that provides quick, concise shifting.

Camaro’s entertainment systems include a single-CD radio with six speakers that is standard on LS, LT and SS models. A premium, 245-watt Boston Acoustics nine-speaker audio system can be ordered on 1LT and SS models. XM Satellite Radio is standard on all models.

All models also include power door locks and express up and down driver and passenger window. Cargo capacity can be increased with the standard fold-down rear seat. The capacity of the trunk is 11.3 cubic feet (320 liters).

Safety

The Camaro offers a comprehensive system of safety features – starting with a robust body structure and integral safety cage around the passenger compartment. High-strength steel and ultra high-strength steels are used in key areas throughout the structure. Safety technologies also include:

  • Driver and front passenger dual-stage air bags
  • Driver and front passenger seat-mounted thorax side-impact air bags
  • Head curtain side-impact air bags for front- and rear-seat occupants
  • Front-seat safety belt load limiters and pretensioners
  • A front passenger detection system that senses children and small-stature adults, and suppresses air bag deployment when appropriate.

In both doors, an interlock pin is utilized to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment and adds stiffness to the door structure by engaging with a clevis bracket set into the rocker panel.

Link to press release: http://media.gm.com/us/chevrolet/en/news/press_kits/10camaro/
Link to GM media images: http://gm.wieck.com/forms/gm/*query?10camaroPROD&source=all

Camaro production begins!

Today, March 16, 2009, marks the official return of Camaro production. This morning is the official start of production of saleable vehicles in Oshawa, Canada.

Camaro forums like 5thgen.org are buzzing this week now that it is official, only three years from the silver concept debut at the 2009 North American Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan to full production, nice work GM!

EPA just announced the V6 Camaro is rated at 29 MPG.

CNBC Video: Part 1















CNBC Video: Part 2













Building the LS9 Corvette motor

Automobile Magazine follows along with Skilled Engine Builder Bruce Blomfield as he assembles one of the first production 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 LS9 V-8s at GM's Performance Build Center, and we even give him a hand here and there. The full LS9 build process takes four and a half hours, but we compressed it to about six and a half minutes for your viewing pleasure.

LS9 powered 1969 Camaro


This recently completed Camaro project was designed and built by Reiters Metalcraft Inc in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

Power train consists of a 2009 Corvette ZR1 LS9 motor and a Viper 6 speed transmission. The ZR1 components continue with the 15" Carbon Ceramic brakes and 19x10 front wheels and 20x12 rears. Front sub frame is Art Morrison with a Currie 9" 3.90 rear end setup. The color is PPG Yellow

While we would have gone with another color for this car, the packaging and stance is perfect in our eyes!

The car was debuted at the 2009 Detroit Autorama at Cobo Hall in Downtown Detroit. To see the rest of our show coverage click HERE






Corvette Hennessey ZR700

Source: Fquick.com

John Heinricy, who retired after working with GM for 38-years, recently got behind the wheel of the 2009 Corvette ZR1 with a Hennessey ZR700 package. The former head of GM Performance Division and chief engineer of the new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and ZR1, tested his skills on the 705-hp ZR1 to see what Hennessey came up with. The Hennessey ZR700 package allows the ZR1 go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 212 mph. A second package, known as the ZR750 makes a total of 755-hp and 730 lb-ft of torque. That allows the ZR1 to run from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds with a top speed of 217 mph.