Gen 5 Camaro Internal Engine Tech - 2010 Convertible at the Indy Car Show

So I just hit up the car show at the Indy Convention Center, and I have to say the largest crowd always seemed to be around the 2010 Camaro Convertible display. There was a GM employee (female, not that it matters) there giving a presentation about the car, and she disclosed less than what has been leaked already, but she did mention something that I had not heard. First off, I tried to hover when others were asking questions just to see what she'd say. A lot of questions were coming from the uninformed:
- Is this coming out next spring?
- Will it have a 5.3 liter option?
- Will it have the LS7?
- Are they really coming with those big wheels?
She basically states that the car is not yet complete (I thought it was, and in testing now...), the coupe will be a 2009 model (I was under the impression that it was changed to a 2010, even with the early '09 release...), and they don't know what they are calling the different trims (Z28, SS, ???). She said from the concept, the side mirrors would change (bigger), the roof line had to go up an inch or two (can't remember exactly), the wheels would be smaller, but size wasn't yet known, and they don't know engine options yet, but did announce they'd have a V6 model and a V8 model (duh). Anyway, what she did mention that I hadn't heard before was that Chevy had to reacquire the "Camaro" name, as it was sold to the Canadian automakers. I didn't ask the specifics on it, but that was part of the holdup in re-releasing the car.

Anyway, just my little report from Indy. The red "clay model" version of the coupe was extremely popular at last year's show, and the convertible seemed to be generating a lot of buzz at this year's show. Didn't hurt that the Challenger nor the ZR1 were there.

JC

Why would GM sell the Camaro name???

I hope the roof isn't that much higher than the concept. The concept looks so sleek and sexy with the lower roof line.

Why would GM sell the Camaro name???

I hope the roof isn't that much higher than the concept. The concept looks so sleek and sexy with the lower roof line.

According to the GM Rep, it was in the deal with the old production plant (I really have no idea why they'd sell the name, to be honest, but I don't work for GM either).

I really think she said the roof would be an inch higher, from 21" to 22", or something like that. I was talking to an older man at this point about what I knew about the car, and what I have sitting in my garage at home.:D

She's incorrect on the model year....it's going to be a 2010 model. This has already been confirmed by Scott Settlemire.

I would take her comment that "the car hasn't been completed yet" as the car hasn't finished testing and assembly hasn't begun. From the Australian spy photos, the car is obviously being tested right now.

She's incorrect on the model year....it's going to be a 2010 model. This has already been confirmed by Scott Settlemire.
I knew it was confirmed, but couldn't remember Scott's name. That, and who is going to believe me, a commoner, over the GM employee... Really wasn't worth the argument. The guys that came with me knew I was right.
I would take her comment that "the car hasn't been completed yet" as the car hasn't finished testing and assembly hasn't begun. From the Australian spy photos, the car is obviously being tested right now.
She said the factory was still being setup, but she used the "car hasn't been completed" phrase to dodge questions regarding wheel size and other things that are probably known at this point. But yeah, that's pretty much how I interpreted her statement on that one.

I knew it was confirmed, but couldn't remember Scott's name. That, and who is going to believe me, a commoner, over the GM employee... Really wasn't worth the argument. The guys that came with me knew I was right.

She said the factory was still being setup, but she used the "car hasn't been completed" phrase to dodge questions regarding wheel size and other things that are probably known at this point. But yeah, that's pretty much how I interpreted her statement on that one.

She gave all the usual "candy-coated" answers to make everyone happy.

I was at the same car show, and to be quite honest, I saw a bigger crowd standing around the Smart Car (I shit you not).

Either way, the Camaro looked cool, but from what I've seen of the camoflauged prototypes that have been spotted, it won't look nearly as cool as the concept that was on display. The wheels already look too small and too narrow (just like the GTO wheels), the rear end isn't as flared out, and the roof looks like it has been raised up a little from the concept car.

GM doesn't need to re-acquire rights to the name, they never relinquished rights.
There is a union deal with the CAW to keep Camaro production in Canada.
...which has nothing to do with rights to the name.

And yes, it's a 2010 model.

And I really wanna go to Indianapolis right now. :D

GM doesn't need to re-acquire rights to the name, they never relinquished rights.
There is a union deal with the CAW to keep Camaro production in Canada.
...which has nothing to do with rights to the name.

And yes, it's a 2010 model.

And I really wanna go to Indianapolis right now. :D

I was really hoping someone there would speak up along with me. I started correcting her on some of her facts, but couldn't remember enough of the details to sound completely educated. A lot of what she said had me shaking my head in disbelief. The whole "reacquiring the Camaro name" was just something I had never heard before, and I don't know enough about that union deal to speak on it.

On the positive side, it was the first time I'd seen the convertible in person, and it didn't dissappoint me! I'd post pics, but they were taken on my cell phone, and you all have seen it before.