Introducing 2008 2009 Chevrolet Camaro

Introducing 2008 2009 Chevrolet Camaro

On 10 August 2006, GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced that GM would build an all-new version of the Chevrolet Camaro muscle car based on the award-winning concept that debuted at the Detroit auto show in January 2006. The all-new Camaro will begin with early production versions at the end of 2008 and will go on sale in the first quarter of 2009.

"The overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to the Camaro Concept continues to remind me of the uniquely iconic place our products can have in customers’ hearts,” Wagoner said. “Camaro is much more than a car; it symbolizes America's spirit and its love affair with the automobile."

Although the production version of the vehicle was not shown, GM said it would follow very closely the style of the 2006 Camaro Concept. GM confirmed the Camaro would be rear wheel drive, have an independent rear suspension, be offered with both V6 and V8 engines, and have available automatic and manual transmissions. GM is expected to show the production version of the vehicle in a massive debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper said the new Camaro will appeal to both men and women, and unite customers with fond memories of previous Camaros with those who first experienced a Camaro when the concept was unveiled in January.

“We intend to make the all-new Camaro relevant to younger buyers while retaining its appeal to current fans,” said Peper. “The beauty of the best Camaros is that they have always been beautiful to look at with performance that rivals expensive European GTs. Yet they were practical enough to drive every day and priced within the reach of many new-car buyers.”

Pricing or convertible availability has not been officially announced, but the new Camaro will be produced at the Oshawa Car Assembly manufacturing plant. 2,750 jobs would have been lost at the Oshawa manufacturing plant which had been originally scheduled to be closed in 2008; some of these jobs will be saved now due to the new Camaro's production (GM of Canada's president Arturo Elias couldn't give firm numbers). This new product program and conversion of the Oshawa plant to a state of the art flexible manufacturing facility represents a $740 million investment, with preparatory work beginning immediately.

Camaro History:

First generation

The first-generation Chevrolet Camaro debuted for the 1967 model year on a brand new rear-wheel drive GM F-body platform and would be available as a 2-door, 2+2 seating, coupe or convertible with a choice of inline-6 and V8 powerplants. The first-generation Camaro would last until the 1969 model year and would eventually inspire the design of the new retro fifth-generation Camaro.

Second Generation

Introduced to market in February 1970, the second-generation Chevrolet Camaro would be in production for a total of 12 years. The car grew somewhat larger and wider with the new styling; this resulted in a heavier car as well.[4] Still based on the F-body platform, the new Camaro was engineered much like its predecessor in that it still used a unibody structure with a front subframe, leaf springs in the back and A-arms up front for suspension. The car would see major changes in both styling and performance as time progressed from the introduction through the end of second-generation production in 1981.

Third Generation

The third-generation Chevrolet Camaro was introduced for the 1982 model year. It continued to use General Motors' F-body platform and would produce a "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" for 1987 and "25th Anniversary Heritage Edition" for 1992. These were also the first Camaros with factory fuel injection, four-speed automatic transmissions, five-speed manual transmissions, four-cylinder engines, 16-inch wheels, hatchback bodies, and a rear window third brake light. It was during the third generation that the famous IROC Camaro was available, which included upgrades such as better flowing exhaust manifolds.

The third-generation Camaros would continue through the 1992 model year.

Fourth Generation

The fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro debuted for the 1993 model year on an updated F-body platform. It would retain the same characteristic since the first-generation's introduction back in 1967; 2-doors, 2+2 seating, available as a coupe or convertible (with the latter introduced in 1994), rear-wheel drive, and a choice of V6 and V8 powerplants. It featured the 5.7 L (350 cid) LT1 V8 engine that had been introduced in the Corvette one year earlier, as well as an optional six-speed manual transmission. The 1998 model year was refreshed and revised with both exterior and engine changes. Replacing the LT1 was GM's all-new 5.7 L (346 cid) LS1 which had been introduced with the Corvette C5.

The fourth-gen Camaro would last up through the 2002 model year, at which point production of the F-Body platform was stopped due to low sales.

Fifth generation

On 9 January, 2006, the first official word regarding a fifth-generation Camaro from General Motors came at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, where the 2006 Camaro Concept was released.[6] The concept is powered by the 400 hp LS2 V8 and equipped with the T-56 six-speed manual transmission. GM also showed the 2007 Camaro Convertible Concept on 6 January, 2007 at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The Camaro will be offered with both V6 and V8 engines, and have available automatic and manual transmissions. Pricing has not been officially announced yet, however, GM has stated that it will be competitive with the Ford Mustang. To be built in Oshawa Ontario.