 2011 Camaro | 2011 Camaro Neiman Marcus Edition | 2011 Camaro HPE700 LS9 | 2011 Camaro Synergy Series | 2011 Camaro XM Accessory Appearance Package | 2011 Camaro SSX Track Car Concept |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |
2012 Chevrolet COPO Camaro news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
Chevrolet COPO Camaro Goes From Concept to Production
Chevrolet will build 69 COPO Camaros for 2012, the brand's first purpose-built Camaro drag-racing specialty car designed to compete wîth the quickest in NHRA's Stock Eliminator and Super Stock classes. National records for quarter-mile times in these contests are in the nine-second range.As such, the COPO Camaros are expected to be the quickest Camaro ever offered by Chevrolet.
'The COPO Camaro is going to shake up the sportsman drag racing ranks this summer and give Chevy fans a great new reason to cheer on the Bowtie,' said Jim Campbell, GM Ú.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles & Motorsports. 'COPO builds off the strengths that have made the Camaro the best-selling sports car in America. And while it was developed strictly for the drag strip, the COPO Camaro is infused wîth the same performance pedigree that every Camaro shares.'
The 69-car production for the 2012 COPO Camaro matches the number of 'ZL-1' COPO Camaros made in 1969. COPO stands for Central Office Production Order and was Chevrolet's special-order system in used by dealers to build high-performance models in the 1960s.
The new COPO Camaros will be built using factory 'body-in-white' body structures produced at the Oshawa, Ontario plant that manufactures regular-production Camaros. They are the same body-in-white body shells available to all racers under Chevrolet Performance part number 19243374.
Customers will order and complete the transaction for their COPO Camaro at their preferred Chevrolet dealer wîth delivery at the General Motors Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich.
Deliveries will begin early this summer.
Highlights of the new COPO Camaro program include:
• A sequenced build number matched to the engine but sold without a Vehicle Identification Number and cannot be registered for highway use
• Three racing-class engine are available, including a naturally aspirated 427 (7.0L) and two supercharged 327 (5.3L) V-8 engines
• Engine assembly at GM's Performance Build Center, where the buyer can opt to participate in the engine assembly similar to Chevrolet's Corvette Engine Build Experience and the Chevrolet Performance Build Your Own Crate Engine programs
• Engines pairing wîth a Powerglide automatic transmission designed for drag racing• Five colors: Flat Black, Summit White, Victory Red, Silver Ice Metallic and Ashen Gray Metallic
 | Vital Stats |
• Pricing starting at $89,000• A special collector's package offering the purchase of all three engines wîth the COPO Camaro – including one installed in the car at delivery – wîth each engine serial number matched to the car
Selection process
The COPO Camaro concept was first shown at the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, where the overwhelming response by more than 2,000 racing enthusiasts shaped the decision to produce a limited number of COPO Camaros.
To ensure fair access to the limited number of COPO Camaros, an independent third party was used to identify the first individuals who would be offered the opportunity to buy one of the new COPO Camaros. Those selected will receive a confirmation letter wîth instructions on how to fulfill the purchase contract, choose the engine option for their intended racing class, and take delivery.
Designed to win
The COPO Camaro is designed to NHRA racing specifications including a solid axle and a full chrome moly roll cage. Inside, most of the standard sound deadening and power accessories have been deleted in order to optimize weight for NHRA racing. Also included is a pair of racing bucket seats (no rear seat), a safety harness for the driver, a competition floor shifter and Chevrolet Performance gauges.
The three engines offered in the COPO Camaro program were developed to align wîth the top classes in NHRA's various Stock Eliminator and Super Stock ranks. They are:
• An LS7-based naturally aspirated 427 (7.0L) V-8
• A supercharged, LSX-based 327 (5.3L) V-8 featuring a 2.9L supercharger• A supercharged, LSX-based 327 (5.3L) V-8 featuring a 4.0L supercharger
The 2012 COPO Camaro is being offered as a performance part, wîth a specific part number (P/N 20129562). It cannot be registered, titled, licensed, or driven on public roads or highways. COPO is specifically offered for off-highway, competitive NHRA use only.
Racing enthusiasts interested in more information can go to www.gmperformanceparts.com to sign up for COPO Camaro updates through the Fuel online newsletter. Production updates will also be posted on Chevrolet Performance's Facebook page.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers wîth fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.Source - Chevrolet
Chevy Performance Rolls with Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour
Weeklong drive kicks off wîth unprecedented access to GM's Milford Proving GroundRoad trip! It's that time of year again for the annual automotive pilgrimage known as the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour® and Chevrolet Performance helps get it started on Saturday, June 2, at General Motors' Milford Proving Ground. The Power Tour winds up in Arlington, Texas, on June 9.
With more than 3,000 hot rods, muscle cars, classic trucks and late-model performance vehicles and approximately 12,000 enthusiasts accompanying them, the Milford kick-off represents the largest-ever group of 'civilians' to visit the secure test facility.
'This is a great opportunity for enthusiasts to get a glimpse behind the curtain at GM and for us to get in touch wîth our performance customers,' said Jim Campbell, Ú.S. vice president of Chevrolet Performance Vehicles & Motorsports. 'It also allows enthusiasts to get a closer look at our product development and the people behind our engines, performance parts and vehicle accessories.'
The Milford Proving Ground is the automotive equivalent of 'Area 51,' serving as the primary testing facility for GM's future products. When it opened in 1924, MPG was the world's first dedicated automotive manufacturer testing facility. Today, it covers approximately 4,000 acres and contains more than 130 miles of driving surfaces of all types, including a 3.8-mile oval track and a 4.5-mile circle track wîth steep banking that enables vehicles to be driven around it at up to 120 mph without the need for §teering input. The 'Black Lake' area is a 67-acre pad of blacktop used for a variety of vehicle dynamics testing. Special certification is required for drivers on some of the tracks.
MPG is also home to GM's Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness Lab, where vehicles are crash-tested during development, as well as vehicle-build facilities, where prototypes of future vehicles are built by hand prior to testing.
With untold prototypes of far- and near-future models prowling its roadways in camouflage, spy photographers continually try to capture the goings-on in MPG. The current chase is a glimpse of the next-generation Corvette, which is known to be under development.
Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour participants and visitors to the Proving Ground on June 2 will have to follow strict security guidelines – including where they can and cannot take photos – but GM is offering unprecedented access, including tours and ride-and-drives on several of the tracks.
Chevrolet Performance will offer a host of activities and special features, including:
•A heritage engine display
•A collection of heritage vehicles
•Powertrain demonstrations
•A GM Design Center display.
The kick-off event also marks the official public debut of The BLOCK – a unique, online social community for car enthusiasts of all stripes. Participants can register on site and upload a profile of their car, and they'll also receive a custom 'QR' code decal that can be affixed to a window. Fellow enthusiasts who scan the code will be taken directly to The BLOCK's home page on their smartphone.
Representatives from The BLOCK will be combing through the cars at Milford, lòòking for interesting rides and individuals for future stories. The BLOCK, powered by Chevrolet Performance, enables consumers to create profiles, post content and drive discussions.
A trio of popular concepts will be on display:
•The Camaro Hot Wheels SEMA show car – inspired by the 'Custom Camaro,' the dazzling Spectraflame® 1:64-scale toy that was one of the original 16 Hot Wheels cars released in 1968. This dazzling Camaro was collaboration between GM Design and the Hot Wheels Design studio. It features a brilliant, chrome-green finish.
•The prototype COPO Camaro drag car – What started as a concept is now reality: The 2012 COPO Camaro specialty drag-racing model. Production was recently announced and only 69 will be built to shake up NHRA's Stock and Super Stock ranks. Chevrolet Performance's official video of the COPO prototype undergoing testing on the drag strip has been viewed more than 60,000 times.
•The Sonic Boom SEMA show car – introduced at the 2011 SEMA Show, it is a sound system-based concept that delivers high performance of an auditory type. A high-tech head unit controls the system, which features a pair of 15-inch subwoofers and 10 six-inch mid-range speakers. The concept Kicker system delivers 4,000 total Watts of power.
Also at Milford will be a display of Cadillac performance vehicles, including the CTS-V Series.
Representatives from Chevrolet Performance will be preparing a caravan of 14 specialty vehicles that will do the 'long haul' – driving the entire distance of the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Highlights include:
•2012 Camaro ZL1 coupe – a production version of the new, daily-drivable supercar that features a 580-hp supercharged 6.2L engine and technically advanced drivetrain – including third-gen Magnetic Ride Control – to deliver 0-60 performance of four seconds, 11-second quarter-miles and a top speed of 184 mph.
•2012 Camaro SS 'Synergy' convertible – a specially equipped production package wîth a body-color grille, ground effects, 'gill' graphics, hood stripes and flangeless 21-inch wheels. Inside is a gray leather interior accented wîth a Hurst short-throw shifter.
•2012 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible Centennial Edition – commemorating Chevrolet's 100th Anniversary and featuring Carbon Flash Metallic paint, satin-black graphics, satin-black wheels, unique badges depicting Louis Chevrolet and a special-trimmed interior.
•2013 Corvette ZR1 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car – the car used to pace the 2012 Indianapolis 500 – and driven by celebrity chef Guy Fieri – will run wîth the Power Tour field.
•2012 Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle – a specially decked-out demonstrator of Chevy's new, rear-drive Caprice police car will 'monitor' the Power Tour. Powered by a 6.0L V-8 rated at 364 hp, Michigan State Police tested the Caprice PPV and recorded 0-60 performance of less than six seconds wîth a top speed of 154 mph.
•2012 Sonic five-door – equipped wîth a bevy of popular accessories, this eye-catching sport-compact suggests a Power Tour contender for a new generation.
•1953 Suburban – riding on TrailBlazer SS frame wîth rear-wheel drive, this orange-and-black supercharged Suburban is powered by a Chevrolet Performance LSX376 crate engine fitted wîth an LSA supercharger kit that makes 665 horsepower. The cargo area is filled wîth a full complement of vehicle detailing equipment in custom storage bins.
•1970 Dale Jr. Chevelle – designed in cooperation wîth Dale Earnhardt Jr., this modern muscle car debuted at last fall's SEMA Show, introducing the 's first Connect and Cruise Crate Powertrain Systems. It features Chevrolet Performance's factory-engineered LSA/4L85-E engine and transmission combination, matched wîth all the electronic control modules, wiring harnesses and other key components.
•1955 E-Rod Chevy – Chevrolet Performance's groundbreaking hot rod that introduced the emissions-compliant E-Rod crate engine systems. It features a Corvette-based LS3 engine package, wîth components including a fuel tank evaporative emissions canister, which helped it earn EO number D-126-30 from California Air Resources Board – the first ever for a performance crate engine.
Chevrolet Performance will also use a 2012 Suburban and a uniquely outfitted 'Motor Medic' support vehicle, equipped wîth tools and parts to help Power Tour drivers in need keep their cars on the road. Last year, the Motor Medic helped more than 300 cars and their drivers.
Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour cruisers and hot rod enthusiasts who don't make it to the MPG kick-off from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. can catch up wîth the Chevrolet Performance cars, parts and personnel at these stops:
•June 3 – Muskegon, Mich.
•June 4 – Champaign, Ill.
•June 5 – Madison, Ill.
•June 6 – Miami, Okla.
•June 7 – Stillwater, Okla.
•June 8 – Arlington, Texas.
RICK HENDRICK BUILDS CUSTOM ENGINE FOR 2012 COPO CAMARO
Rick Hendrick, owner of NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, built the engine for his 2012 COPO Camaro at General Motors' Performance Build Center today, as part of Chevrolet's series of customer engine build experiences.
In 2011, Hendrick also took part in Chevrolet's Corvette engine build experience.
'Last year's Corvette engine build was such a memorable experience that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do it again wîth a COPO Camaro. As a Chevy enthusiast and collector, it's a real privilege to do something like this,' Hendrick §äid. 'I want to thank everyone at the Performance Build Center for having me back. It means so much to spend time wîth people who share my passion for cars and work so hard to produce some of the best engines in the world.'
In addition to the Corvette Engine Build Experience and COPO Engine Build Experience, Chevrolet also has a Crate Engine Build Experience. These engine-building opportunities offer customers the convenience and assurance of purchasing a factory-engineered performance engine wîth the personal satisfaction of building one's own engine for a project vehicle.
'Building an engine is a time-honored tradition in hot rodding, and this program allows enthusiasts to enjoy that magical do-it-yourself feeling, while still enjoying the value of a GM Powertrain-engineered and factory-warrantied engine,' said Jim Campbell, GM Ú.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. 'For hands-on hot rodders, these programs truly enable them to say they did it all when it came to building their project. There's nothing else like it in the .'
In March, Chevroletannounced it will build 69 COPO Camaros for 2012, the brand's first purpose-built Camaro drag-racing specialty car designed to compete wîth the quickest in NHRA's Stock Eliminator and Super Stock classes. National records for quarter-mile times in these contests are in the nine-second range. As such, the COPO Camaros are expected to be the quickest Camaros ever offered by Chevrolet.
'The COPO Camaro is going to shake up the sportsman drag racing ranks this summer and give Chevy fans a great new reason to cheer on the Bowtie,' Campbell §äid. 'COPO builds off the strengths that have made the Camaro the best-selling sports car in America. And while it was developed strictly for the drag strip, the COPO Camaro is infused wîth the same performance pedigree that every Camaro shares.'
The 69-car production for the 2012 COPO Camaro matches the number of 'ZL-1' COPO Camaros made in 1969. COPO stands for Central Office Production Order and was Chevrolet's special-order system used by dealers to build high-performance models in the 1960s.
The new COPO Camaros will be built using factory 'body-in-white' body structures produced at the Oshawa, Ontario plant that manufactures regular-production Camaros. They are the same body-in-white body shells available to all racers under Chevrolet Performance part number 19243374.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers wîth fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
During the preproduction stages of the Chevrolet Camaro, General Motors codenamed the vehicle 'Panther'. The name 'Camaro' was decided upon before production began. The word 'Camaro' in French is slang for 'friend' but in pony-car slang, the name means 'Mustang killer'.
During its production lifespan, there were four generations produced. The first generation lasted from 1967 through 1969. The second generation lasted from 1972 through 1981. The third generation lasted from 1982 through 1992. The fourth generation lasted from 1993 through 2002. The fifth generation is believed to begin production in 2007; a concept was shown at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show.
When the car was introduced in 1967, it was available in two bodystyles, a coupe and convertible. It shared many mechanics with the Chevrolet Nova and built atop a unibody chassis. The base engine was a 3.7 liter inline-six cylinder capable of producing 140 horsepower. Power was sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a Saginaw three-speed manual gearbox. A Muncie four-speed manual and a two-speed PowerGlide automatic were offered as optional equipment. Near the end of 1967, a Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 became available on the SS396. In 1969 the TH350 was offered on the Camaro as optional equipment, in place of the PowerGlide which was no longer offered. 14 inch wheels were standard.
To compete in the pony-car arena, General Motors offered a 5.7 liter eight-cylinder engine in 1967 that produced nearly 300 horsepower.
The Camaro was highly customizable, with over seventy factory and forty dealer options available. the z28 option was not mentioned in the sales literature so many buyers were unaware of its existence. Due to the lack of press about the Z28 option, only 602 examples were produced. The package included many performance enhancements such as a 4.9 liter small-block engine, front disc brakes, Muncie 4-speed gearbox, suspension improvements, 15 inch Rallye wheels, and power steering. The aesthetics of the vehicle were segregated from the other Camaro's with racing stripes being placed on the hood. The Z28 package was offered by GM specifically to comply with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans Am racing series that required an engine size of five-liters or less. Also, the vehicle must be sold to the general public.
The SS (Super Sport) package included many performance and aesthetic upgrades and was popular with more than 34400 examples created. Under the hood was a 5.7 liter eight-cylinder engine with a 6.5 liter big-block offered as optional equipment in 1968. On the grille, horn button, and gas cap were SS badging. Non-functional air-inlets adorned the front hood.
The RS (Rally Sport) package was basically a cosmetic upgrade. The headlights were hidden, the taillights received minor alterations, and the exterior rocker trim was revised. RS badging could be seen throughout the vehicle. This was the most popular option ordered in 1967 with over 64840 examples produced.
The RS and SS packages could be ordered together, creating the RS/SS Camaro. The combination included both the aesthetics of the RS and the performance of the SS. A Camaro RS/SS convertible with a 6.5 liter engine paced the Indianapolis 500 race in 1967.
With over 220900 examples produced in 1967, the Camaro proved to General Motors that the public was starved for small, performance, pony-cars.
In 1968 the Camaro received minor aesthetic and mechanical improvements. Side market lights were added, the grille became more pointed, and the taillights were now segregated. The side vent windows were removed. Performance was improved slightly by the staggering of the shock absorbers. On some of the models, the single-leafs were replaced by multi-leaf springs.
Buyers became aware of the Z28 package in 1968 and ordered nearly 7200 examples. The RS continued to be the most popular option with 40977 examples produced. The SS accounted for 27884 of the 235147 total Camaro's produced in 1968.
For 1969 the Camaro became safer and faster. General Motors mandated that the Camaro could not come from the factory with engines larger than 6.6 liters. To bypass this rule dealerships such as Yenko Chevrolet, Dana Chevrolet, and Nickey Chevrolet offered the Camaro with the 7 liter, big-block, L-27 corvette engine producing 425 horsepower. These performance options became so popular that in 1969 Chevrolet began offering two Central Office Production Orders (COPO) options, numbers 9560 and 9561. The COPO 9561 option included the L-72 Corvette engine. In total, there were 1015 Camaros equipped with the L-72 Corvette engine.
The COPO 9560 option included a 7-liter, big-block, ZL-1 engine. The engine was constructed of aluminum to help reduce the overall weight. The engine was reported to have produced around 430 gross horsepower but in reality it was closer to 550. With only 69 examples produced it is one of the rarest and fastest of all Chevrolet Camaros.
Most of the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro mechanics remained unchanged. The aesthetics was a different story. The grille was redesigned and the headlights now sat farther back adding to the aggressive features of the car. Newly reshaped door, rear quarter panel, and rear valence gave the 1969 Camaro a smooth, low, and wide stance. The production of the 1969 Camaro, which continued into December of 1969, was the final year for the first generation Camaro.
The second generation Camaro began production near the middle of 1970. The body had been redesigned and the suspension was greatly improved. The rest of the mechanics remained mostly unchanged from the prior years. The biggest change was the base engine, which was now a 4.1 liter inline-six capable of producing 155 horsepower. There was no convertible option offered, only a 2+2 coupe configuration.
The big-block eight-cylinder had been bored to 402 cubic-inches but still retained its 396 badging. The Rally Sport, Super Sport, and Z28 packages were still available. The Z28 now featured a 5.7 liter engine that produced 360 horsepower.
1972 was not a good year for the Camaro. For 174 days production ceased at GM's assembly plant in Ohio due to a UAW strike. This resulted in 1100 Camaro's failing to meet 1973 Federal bumper safety standards. In total, only 68,656 examples were production. Less than a thousand were the SS package so General Motors decided to no longer offer the package after 1972. This meant the big-block 396 cubic-inch engine was no longer offered.
The Camaro, much like the rest of the industry, had to adapt to new government and insurance safety and emission regulations. This meant new safety features like larger bumpers needed to be affixed to the car that could protect the vehicle and its occupants at certain speeds. Engines were detuned to comply with safety and emission concerns. The cars became safer but their performance was seriously crippled. This was true for the Camaro in 1973 when its highest producing engine was a 350 cubic-inch V-8 that produced 245 horsepower.
New for 1973 was an LT option which included impact-absorbing bumpers. The Camaro grew in size in 1974 due to a forward sloping grille and new aluminum bumpers. Rectangular bumpers replaced the round taillight designs. Sales of the Z28 package continued to decline so the decision was made to discontinue the option after 1974.
Horsepower was measured in NET rather than gross rating beginning in 1975. This meant that the reported horsepower was much lower than in prior years. The 350 cubic-inch V8 was now rated at about 155 horsepower.
In 1977 the Z28 was re-introduced in an effort to revitalize the muscle-car persona of the Camaro. The base Camaro's were outfitted with air-conditioning and an automatic transmission. A Borg-Warner Super T-10 four-speed manual gearbox could be ordered as optional equipment.
1978 marked the first year for the T-top option on a Camaro. The Camaro was given larger taillights and new bumpers.
As vehicles became safer, they became slower. The public shifted from wanting performance to luxury. Oil embargos and rising fuel costs had made the engines smaller but more fuel efficient. For 1979 the LT package was replaced with a luxurious Berlinetta that included special wheels, paint, emblems, and interior.
1979 was a very strong year for Camaro sales with 282,571 examples being sold.
1980 and 1981 saw very few changes. The hood scope on the Z-28 was revised to help siphon air to the engine.
In 1981 sales were down considerable to just over 126,000. This would be the final year for the second generation Camaro.
In 1982 General Motors introduced the third generation of the Camaro. The vehicle was stylish and versatile, earning the coveted Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year. Both aesthetically and mechanically, the vehicle was improved. The suspension was upgraded making it more capable in the corners and at speed.
This was the first year the Camaro was equipped with a factory fuel-injected engine. A four-speed automatic gearbox replaced the three-speed unit. A five-speed manual gearbox was also available. Due to rising concerns of oil shortage, a four-cylinder engine was offered for part of 1982.
6000 examples of the Z28 Camaro were sold to commemorate the return of the pony-car to the Indianapolis 500. The special-edition vehicles were painted in two-tone silver and blue paint with orange pin-striping.
To honor the International Race of Champions, Chevrolet introduced the IROC-Z in 1985. The package included an improved suspension, decal package, and a 305 cubic-inch L98 Tuned Port Injection system borrowed from the Corvette. The IROC-Z was featured on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best List for 1985.
The L69 small-block engine was offered from 1983 through 1986. The LB9 small-block was introduced in 1985; the L98 small-block was introduced in 1987; the LO3 was introduced in 1988. The LB9, L98, and LO3 stayed in production until 1992.
1992 was the final year for the third generation Camaro. 1993 marked the beginning of the fourth generation which persisted until 2002.
New technology and material made the fourth generation greatly improved over the prior years. Weight was reduced with the use of plastic body panels sitting atop a steel space frame. Performance was increased thanks in part to a better suspension system. In 1993 Chevrolet offered the LT1 eight-cylinder engine, which had been in production for a year on the Corvette, on the Camaro. A six-speed manual gearbox was offered with the LT1 engine.
The Camaro returned to the Indianapolis 500 as the honorary pace car in 1993. To commemorate this historic accomplishment, Chevrolet offered a limited quantity of special edition Camaro's, painted in a black and white color scheme.
The design and mechanics remained mostly unchanged over the next few years. Minor revisions were made to comply with newly introduced emission standards. Mechanical changes were made to correct problems that had been found throughout the years.
In 1996 the RS package and the SS package were re-introduced. The RS was an appearance option for the six-cylinder Camaro's while the SS was both an appearance and performance package for the eight-cylinder cars.
1997 marked the 30th anniversary of the Camaro. A 30th Anniversary Package was offered to honor this accomplishment. The vehicles were painted white with orange stripes. 100 of the Anniversary Camaros were given the LT4 engine with 330 horsepower; a thirty-eight thousand dollar price tag accompanied the vehicle.
The interior of the Camaro was modernized in 1997 and again in 1998, although the 1998 improvements were minor in comparison to what transpired the prior year.
The body design was drastically changed in 1998, mainly in the front. Round headlights replaced the square design. The headlights were flush, inline with the rest of the body. A new grille and bumper were used, both positioned a little differently to mimic the headlight changes. A new powerful, lightweight, all-aluminum LS1 power-plant retired the LT1 unit. The OHV LS1 was borrowed from the Corvette and slightly detuned to produce just over 300 horsepower. To handle this extra power, the disc brakes were enlarged and the suspension was upgraded.
Total production for 1998 was 48490. This was disappointing for General Motors, especially with the newly revised body and powerful options. The lowest production year for the Camaro occurred in 2001 with just over 29000 examples being produced. This was due to low sales and production ceasing early to begin work on the 35th Anniversary 2002 cars.
2002 marked the final year for production of the fifth generation Camaro. The styling and mechanics were unmodified, carrying the same design from 1999.
A special 35th Anniversary Edition was offered and could be ordered on all trim levels and packages. The 35th Anniversary SS Camaro could only be ordered as a convertible or with T-Tops. Around 3000 examples of the 35th Anniversary Edition were created. Total production for the year was just over 42,000.
On August 27th, 2002 production ceased. The Camaro had accomplished its goal, to provide competition for the Ford Mustang and other compact, low-priced, sports cars. Outfitted with large, Corvette engines, matted to effective gearboxes and given great suspension and brakes, the Camaro was truly a performance machine that was capable and fun to drive. It was fairly practical with room for more than two passengers. It was economical with sticker-prices in the range that many could afford. The production of the Camaro has ceased, but its future has not yet been written. Expect to see this legendary vehicle on the roadways in the near future.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2011
| Rick Hendrick Builds Custom Engine For 2010 COPO Camaro | |
 | Rick Hendrick, owner of NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, built the engine for his 2012 COPO Camaro at General Motors' Performance Build Center today, as part of Chevrolet's series of customer engine build experiences. In 2011, Hendrick also took part in Chevrolet's Corvette engine build experience. 'Last year's Corvette engine build was such a memorable experience that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do it again with a COPO Camaro. As a Ch...[Read more...] |
| Chevy Performance Rolls with Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour | |
 | Weeklong drive kicks off with unprecedented access to GM's Milford Proving Ground Road trip! It's that time of year again for the annual automotive pilgrimage known as the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour® and Chevrolet Performance helps get it started on Saturday, June 2, at General Motors' Milford Proving Ground. The Power Tour winds up in Arlington, Texas, on June 9. With more than 3,000 hot rods, muscle cars, classic trucks and late-model performance vehicles and approximately 12,00...[Read more...] |
| 2014 CHEVROLET SS PRICED AT $44,470 | |
 | DETROIT – The suggested retail price for the 2014 Chevrolet SS sports sedan is $44,470, including a $995 destination charge, Chevrolet announced today. Title and license fees are extra. The SS goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2013. The U.S.-exclusive SS – Chevrolet's first rear-drive performance sedan since 1996 – comes well-equipped in only one model, with a power-operated sunroof ($900) and full-size spare tire ($500) as the only options. 'The all-new SS is engineered for per...[Read more...] |
| 2014 Corvette Stingray Cranks Out 460 Horsepower | |
 | DETROIT – The 2014 Corvette Stingray's all-new LT1 6.2L V-8 engine is SAE-certified at 460 horsepower (343 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque (630 Nm) at 4,600 rpm, with the available performance exhaust system, Chevrolet announced today. The Stingray is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower (339 kW) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) with the standard exhaust system. They are the highest standard power ratings ever for the Corvette, delivered with efficiency that is expected to exceed 26 mpg on t...[Read more...] |
| Camaro 1LE Laps Virginia International Raceway in 2:58.34 | |
 | The 2013 road-racing inspired Chevrolet Camaro 1LE, with Camaro engineer Aaron Link behind the wheel, lapped the famed Virginia International Raceway (VIR) 'Grand Course' in 2:58.34 – a time previously accomplished by only the upper echelon of performance cars. The $3,500 1LE package is available on Camaro 1SS and 2 SS coupes, with a manual transmission. A Camaro 1SS with the 1LE package starts at $37,035, including destination, making it one of the most affordable, most capable performance...[Read more...] |
| Rick Hendrick Builds Custom Engine For 2010 COPO Camaro | |
| Rick Hendrick, owner of NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, built the engine for his 2012 COPO Camaro at General Motors' Performance Build Center today, as part of Chevrolet's series of customer engine build experiences. In 2011, Hendrick also took part in Chevrolet's Corvette engine build experience. 'Last year's Corvette engine build was such a memorable experience that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do it again with a COPO Camaro. As a Ch...[Read more...] |
| Chevy Performance Rolls with Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour | |
| Weeklong drive kicks off with unprecedented access to GM's Milford Proving Ground Road trip! It's that time of year again for the annual automotive pilgrimage known as the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour® and Chevrolet Performance helps get it started on Saturday, June 2, at General Motors' Milford Proving Ground. The Power Tour winds up in Arlington, Texas, on June 9. With more than 3,000 hot rods, muscle cars, classic trucks and late-model performance vehicles and approximately 12,00...[Read more...] |
2012| Similar Vehicles | |
 | 2012 Chevrolet Inferno Orange COPO Camaro |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Cadillac | Chrysler |
| Dodge | Ford |
| GMC | Hummer |
| Jeep | Lincoln |
| Mercury | Pontiac |
| Saturn | |
| Chevrolet: 2011-2020 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Chevrolet History |
| Other models by Chevrolet |
| Manufacturer Website |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 Camaro | 2011 Camaro Neiman Marcus Edition | 2011 Camaro HPE700 LS9 | 2011 Camaro Synergy Series | 2011 Camaro XM Accessory Appearance Package | 2011 Camaro SSX Track Car Concept |
