Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro is a "pony car" made in North America by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors. It was introduced on 26 September 1966 as a 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang. The car shared the platform and major components with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced in 1967. Four distinct generations of the car were produced before production ended in 2002. A new Camaro is expected to roll off assembly lines in January 2009.

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. The concept is powered by the 400 hp (298 kW) 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 fifth generation Camaro was approved for production on 5 August, 2006. It is expected to go into production at Oshawa Car Assembly in February 2009 to be sold in spring of 2009 as a 2010 model year vehicle. Both V6 and V8 engines will be available along with automatic and manual transmissions. Pricing has not been officially announced yet. However, GM has stated that it will be competitive with the Ford Mustang.

Though the car's name was contrived with no meaning, Chevrolet researchers reportedly found the word in a French dictionary as variation of informal speech (slang) for "friend", "chum", or "companion." In some automotive periodicals before official release, it was code-named "Panther", however, the project designation for the Camaro was XP-836 and some early GM photos show the final Camaro body labeled "Chaparral". Automotive press asked Chevrolet product managers "What is a Camaro?", and they were told it was "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs". The name conveniently fit Chevrolet's "C" naming structure that included Corvair, Chevelle, Chevy II, and Corvette. Technically a compact (by the standards of the time) pony car, the Camaro could also be classified as a sporty muscle car or an economical grand tourer, depending on the selected optional equipment.

Camaros were one of the prominent vehicles in the Trans-Am Series, having won the title in 1968 and 1969 (driven by Mark Donahue) and were in use in the league until the late 1990's. The Camaro was the official car of and the car used in the International Race of Champions from 1975 to 1989. Third and Fourth generation Camaros are also currently raced in the SCCA American Sedan series and other SCCA classes. It is also one of the most popular cars in NHRA Sportsman Drag Racing.

The Chevrolet Camaro was also twice champion (1971 and 1972, driven by Bob Jane) in the Australian Touring Car Championship (now V8 Supercars).

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Car - Chevrolet Camaro

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