(continued from above)
"The Camaro ZL1 convertible will be one of the most powerful and most
capable, convertibles available at any price," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief
engineer. "This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every
time you drop the top - or hit the gas."
Like the coupe, the Camaro ZL1 convertible features a supercharged 6.2L "LSA"
engine, SAE-rated at 580 horsepower (432 kW) and 556 lb-ft of torque (754 Nm).
The Camaro ZL1 convertible's power is complemented by advanced powertrain and
chassis technologies designed to deliver exceptional performance on the road or
track. In fact, it's the same balance of acceleration, handling and ride quality
that enabled a Camaro ZL1 coupe recently to lap the Nurburgring's Nordschleife
course in 7:41.27 minutes.
From Day One, the architecture for the fifth-generation Camaro was designed to
accommodate a convertible model, which gives the ZL1 convertible coupe-like
driving dynamics. Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body
structure to quell the cowl and steering wheel shake common in convertibles.
They include:
- A tower-to-tower brace under the hood
- A transmission support reinforcement brace
- Underbody tunnel brace
- Front "X" brace and stiffer cradle as well as rear underbody "V" braces
Additional structural reinforcements in the ZL1 convertible are designed to
improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also reducing unwanted ride
and body motions. They include a hydrofoamed tube in the A-pillars, an inner
reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar
and reinforcements inside the rockers.
The suspension of the ZL1 convertible uses the third-generation of Magnetic
Ride. New, twin-wire/dual-coil dampers at all four corners enable faster
response, with damping levels now adjusted up to 1,000 times per second - about
one adjustment per inch of vehicle travel at 60 mph - making the system
exceptionally responsive to changing driving and road conditions.
The Camaro ZL1 convertible will also offer Performance Traction Management as
standard equipment, which is exclusive to General Motors. First introduced on
the Corvette ZR1, it is an advanced system that integrates magnetic ride
control, launch control, traction control and electronic stability control, to
enhance both launch-acceleration performance and corning.
The result is a convertible designed to preserve nearly all the acceleration,
road-holding and performance capabilities of the Camaro ZL1 coupe, which goes on
sale in early 2012.
