For the 2012 model year, Chevrolet offers the Camaro with a host of improvements to celebrate the iconic pony car’s 45th anniversary. The 3.6-liter V6 engine has been upgraded to develop 323 horsepower at 6,800 rpm, an increase of 11 horsepower over the 2011 engine while fuel consumption remains at 30 mpg (7.84 l/100 km) on the highway.
The revised engine is 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg) lighter and benefits from a thorough rework, including new cylinder head design, larger intake valves, new fuel pump and optimized-flow fuel injectors, among other changes.
2012MY Camaro SS coupes will be available with a new FE4 sport suspension, which improves handling. “We applied lessons learned from extensive track testing to better refine the suspension geometry for flatter cornering, a more neutral balance during hard turns, and minimized understeer at the limit,” says Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer.
The new suspension package includes retuned front and rear dampers, new solid front (23 mm) and rear (24 mm) stabilizer bars and 20-inch aluminum wheels.
The interior revisions for the 2012 model year Camaro concern the revamped instrument panel with different graphics and trim, a new steering wheel design (which looks exactly like the one found in the Sonic…) and a power lift feature for the passenger seat.
A new added feature is the Rear Vision Package, which consists of a rearview camera system. On the outside, the 2012 Camaro gets a new rear spoiler and the RS appearance taillamps as standard.
Chevrolet will also launch a 45th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro, set to be unveiled on April 15 in Arizona at the Camaro5 Fest II. The anniversary package will be offered on the top two trim levels (2LT and 2SS), for both coupe and convertible models. Special edition Camaros carry over all the 2012 upgrades and feature a unique rally stripe in red and silver painted over the Carbon Flash Metallic paint.
Model-specific exterior details include 45th Anniversary badges on the front fenders, new 20-inch dark silver wheels, RS-style taillamp lenses, fog lamp and taillamp bezels finished in dark silver, standard rear spoiler and HID headlamps and body-color roof molding.
On the inside, the 45th anniversary Camaro features a Jet Black interior with leather upholstery, a white instrument panel and door trim inserts, red, white and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob, door armrests and console lid. The 45th Anniversary logo can be found on the seats, steering wheel and sill plates.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
