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Exceptional Top Refinement

At the outset, designers and engineers sought to eliminate the common appearance of convertible top support ribs and they succeeded, using composite knuckles rather than aluminum ones, as well as extending the top material below the belt line and revising the top's stitch lines. The result is a top that has a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that also retains the sleek roofline of the coupe.

The power-folding top retracts in about 20 seconds. It is built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette Convertible top, and operates in a similar manner. That means it folds in a simple "Z" pattern and latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header.

Once the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and activates the top. The car doesn't have to be parked for the top to be activated, allowing for spur-of-the-moment lowering while stopped at a stoplight.

The top is made of thick, durable canvas and it features acoustical headliner material that provides a quiet, coupe-like ride when the top is up. It also incorporates a glass rear window and rear window defogger.

A folding, one-piece tonneau cover is standard on 2LT and 2SS models and optional on 1LT/1SS. It covers the folded top for a finished appearance. An accessory windscreen is available from Chevrolet dealers. It installs behind the front seats to limit wind buffeting when driving with the top down.

Performance

Two 6.2L V-8 engines are offered in Camaro SS Convertible models, including the L99 on automatic-equipped vehicles and the LS3 on manual-equipped models. Both engines are derived from the LS3 that debuted on the 2008 Corvette, with an aluminum block (with cast iron cylinder liners) and aluminum cylinder heads. Horsepower for the L99 is 400 and torque is 410 lb-ft. The LS3 develops 426 horsepower and 420 lb-ft.

The L99 features the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management System, which saves fuel by shutting down half of the engine's cylinders during certain light-load driving conditions, such as highway cruising.

All Camaro SS models can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. A Tremec TR 6060 six-speed manual is standard on the Camaro SS Convertible, and the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic is optional.

Accessories

A myriad of fine details distinguish Camaro Convertible models, including:

• The OnStar/XM/AM-FM radio antenna moves to the deck lid on LT models without the RS package
• The radio antenna is embedded in the rear spoiler on RS-equipped LT and SS models
• The trunk lock cylinder is moved to the rear seat area for a cleaner exterior appearance
• A new subwoofer design is located in the trunk between the rear seats.

Because the combined OnStar/XM/AM-FM radio antenna is mounted on the roof of coupe models, it had to be relocated on the convertible. On RS-equipped LT models and SS models, which include a rear spoiler, a small "shark fin" OnStar/XM antenna is mounted on the deck lid, while the AM/FM radio antenna is hidden inside the rear spoiler. This patent-pending design creates a sleeker appearance. For LT models without a rear spoiler (without the RS package), the combined antenna is located in the center of the deck lid.

The relocation of the trunk lock cylinder also cleans up the Camaro convertible's appearance, moving from the panel between the taillamps to a discreet area between the rear seat back cushion and driver's side interior panel. The change retains full, lockable access to the trunk, with the keyless remote fob also offering easy trunk access.

Finally, the subwoofer - either an eight-inch unit with the base sound system or a 10-inch subwoofer with the available Boston Acoustics system - is relocated from the trunk to an area between the rear seat cushions.

Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications