San Diego, California--Imagine the stereo blasting, the sun shining, the road zigzagging through the mountains and your hands gripping the steering wheel of an open-top muscle car. Sounds like a dream? It could be... if I actually owned a copy of the all-new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible.
The car that will soon hit the market has previously been showcased as a concept on multiple occasions. The production coupe, meanwhile, keeps surfing on a wave of unprecedented success. So, naturally, fans are having great expectations for the new convertible.
Well, I'm here to tell you that you won't be disappointed!
Style and character
Let's be perfectly clear: I'm a huge fan of American muscle cars. Their brawny physique, sporty personality and purposeful attitude make them infinitely desirable. Much to my delight, the Camaro Convertible happily hails from the same school of thought.
Like its hard-top twin, the new model boasts a long, commanding hood as well as unmistakable headlights and grille. You can easily recognize it from afar just as you will find similarities with the original Camaro in no short time. This, as you can guess, is no coincidence.
Whereas the coupe looks like a heavy mass of concrete, the cabriolet somewhat appears lighter and more casual. The high-quality, triple-layer soft top proves to be a smart choice as it creates a break in the Camaro's relatively chunky profile.
Inside, expect to find the same familiar layout inspired from past generations yet conveying the all-important modern feel. As a matter of fact, both body styles offer a clean, straightforward dashboard.
The seats are comfortable albeit a tad short on side support during aggressive cornering manoeuvres. Front occupants benefit from a generous amount of room, but those sitting in the back are not quite as fortunate. The large mechanism that allows the roof to fold away into the trunk in 20 seconds (neither quicker nor slower than the average top) demanded a few compromises. So, in addition to tricky access, rear passengers have to deal with limited comfort over the long haul.
On a positive note, trunk capacity remains basically unchanged with the roof in place. If you plan on cruising with the top down, there will be enough room left for a small travel bag and briefcase.
The car that will soon hit the market has previously been showcased as a concept on multiple occasions. The production coupe, meanwhile, keeps surfing on a wave of unprecedented success. So, naturally, fans are having great expectations for the new convertible.
Well, I'm here to tell you that you won't be disappointed!
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| The Camaro Convertible is the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. (Photo: Bertrand Godin/Auto123.com) |
Style and character
Let's be perfectly clear: I'm a huge fan of American muscle cars. Their brawny physique, sporty personality and purposeful attitude make them infinitely desirable. Much to my delight, the Camaro Convertible happily hails from the same school of thought.
Like its hard-top twin, the new model boasts a long, commanding hood as well as unmistakable headlights and grille. You can easily recognize it from afar just as you will find similarities with the original Camaro in no short time. This, as you can guess, is no coincidence.
Whereas the coupe looks like a heavy mass of concrete, the cabriolet somewhat appears lighter and more casual. The high-quality, triple-layer soft top proves to be a smart choice as it creates a break in the Camaro's relatively chunky profile.
Inside, expect to find the same familiar layout inspired from past generations yet conveying the all-important modern feel. As a matter of fact, both body styles offer a clean, straightforward dashboard.
The seats are comfortable albeit a tad short on side support during aggressive cornering manoeuvres. Front occupants benefit from a generous amount of room, but those sitting in the back are not quite as fortunate. The large mechanism that allows the roof to fold away into the trunk in 20 seconds (neither quicker nor slower than the average top) demanded a few compromises. So, in addition to tricky access, rear passengers have to deal with limited comfort over the long haul.
On a positive note, trunk capacity remains basically unchanged with the roof in place. If you plan on cruising with the top down, there will be enough room left for a small travel bag and briefcase.
 |
| On a positive note, trunk capacity remains basically unchanged with the roof in place. (Photo: Bertrand Godin/Auto123.com) |
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