Official: Chevrolet Camaro for Australia
Iconic US muscle-car available via new Chevrolet dealer network by mid-2018 – at a priceAmerica’s legendary Camaro coupe will become available Down Under via a new, official network of Chevrolet dealerships in Australia and New Zealand around mid-2018.
As reported exclusively by motoring.com.au in July, the 2018 Camaro will be imported and converted to right-hand drive by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) at its Clayton facility in Melbourne, starting next July.
Joining the Silverado pick-up in Chevrolet outlets alongside HSV and Holden dealers, it will be offered as a single V8 coupe variant based on North America’s better-equipped 2SS spec and powered by GM’s circa-340kW/615Nm 6.2-litre GenV LT1 V8.
There will be no convertible, nor the top-shelf Camaro ZL1 powered a supercharged 485kW LT4 V8, which can hit 60mph (97km/h) in a claimed 3.5 seconds with optional 10-speed auto.
A six-speed manual transmission is expected to be available from launch alongside an eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. Chevrolet claims the Camaro SS auto coupe can hit 60mph in 4sec flat (4.3 for the manual).
Standard equipment will be extensive, including Performance suspension, four-piston Brembo front and rear performance brakes with fixed callipers and 20-inch five-split-spoke alloy wheels -- 8.5 inches wide up front and 9.5-inch at rear -- wrapped in 245/40 ZR20 front and 275/35 ZR20 rear Goodyear Eagle tyres.
Also standard are High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, LED Daytime Running Lamps, rear stanchion spoiler and dual-outlet exhaust
Inside, there’s a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sports steering wheel, power-adjustable heated, ventilated and leather-trimmed front sports bucket seats, dual-zone climate control, nine-speaker Bose premium audio, 24-colour interior spectrum lighting, head-up display, Drive Mode Selector and Enhanced Driver Information Centre.
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The bad news is pricing is still to be confirmed but is expected to start close to $80,000.
That will make HSV’s Camaro SS cheaper than versions already offered in Australia by a number of local converters, but about $20K pricier than its most direct rival, Ford’s Mustang GT Fastback (from $57,490).
And you’ll have to be quick to avoid a long wait, with the HSV factory expected to have limited initial production capacity until 2019 and demand likely to outstrip supply.
“For 2018 we will be capacity constrained,” said HSV managing director Tim Jackson. “[Production] Ramp up on conversions is slower and will be cautious to ensure quality.”
Jackson said demand is expected to be strong, primarily from traditional large V8 sedan buyers but also Chevrolet and Camaro fans, and that when it comes to waiting lists, “all we can do is manage expectations”.
The HSV boss admitted the success of Mustang — which has found more than 8700 buyers so far this year, to become Australia’s top-selling sports car and Ford’s second best seller after the Ranger — “shows there’s space for another competitor in that space”.
“The business case is conservative but works at 1000 a year,” he said, adding that no exports are parts of the plan apart from New Zealand.
“I believe we’ll keep a big chunk of our [HSV] customers. [But] We probably won’t keep all of them.”
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