2011 Camaro Convertible

Chevrolet has announced that its Camaro Convertible will debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show which, for the public, runs from Friday, November 19 to Sunday, November 28.

The line-up will be the same as the Camaro Coupe. So that means a choice of LS or LT trim levels, both equipped with a 312 bhp (232 kW / 316 PS) 3.6 litre V6, or the SS models powered by a 6.2 litre V8 that produces 426 bhp (317 kW / 431 PS). As with the Coupe, standard transmission will be a six-speed manual, with an automatic option available at extra cost.



Although full pricing details will be released at a later date, Chevrolet has confirmed that the Camaro Convertible will start at $30,000 including destination charge. By comparison, the entry-level Camaro Coupe LS is currently $23,530, so buyers will be paying a premium of over 25% to get the soft top version.



That also makes the Camaro slightly more than its arch rival, the Ford Mustang, which is available for $27,995 in Convertible V6 guise.



North American deliveries are set to commence in February 2011, but there’s no word yet on whether the Convertible will be following the Camaro Coupe across to the UK.





Image © GM Corp.

2011 Camaro Convertible

Chevrolet has announced that its Camaro Convertible will debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show which, for the public, runs from Friday, November 19 to Sunday, November 28.

The line-up will be the same as the Camaro Coupe. So that means a choice of LS or LT trim levels, both equipped with a 312 bhp (232 kW / 316 PS) 3.6 litre V6, or the SS models powered by a 6.2 litre V8 that produces 426 bhp (317 kW / 431 PS). As with the Coupe, standard transmission will be a six-speed manual, with an automatic option available at extra cost.



Although full pricing details will be released at a later date, Chevrolet has confirmed that the Camaro Convertible will start at $30,000 including destination charge. By comparison, the entry-level Camaro Coupe LS is currently $23,530, so buyers will be paying a premium of over 25% to get the soft top version.



That also makes the Camaro slightly more than its arch rival, the Ford Mustang, which is available for $27,995 in Convertible V6 guise.



North American deliveries are set to commence in February 2011, but there’s no word yet on whether the Convertible will be following the Camaro Coupe across to the UK.





Image © GM Corp.

Mini Countryman WRC

Today has certainly been the day for new World Rally Championship cars. Not only were the Citroen DS3 WRC and Ford Fiesta RS WRC unveiled, but also the Mini Countryman WRC got its debut at the Paris Motor Show.

The car has been developed in partnership with Prodrive, no strangers to WRC success. Like the DS3 and Fiesta, Mini’s entry uses a 1.6 turbocharged engine, in accordance with the new FIA regulations for 2011. Developed by BMW Motorsport, it will transmit its power via an Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox.

Mini has confirmed that it’ll be entering six out of the thirteen scheduled WRC rounds in 2011, before going on to campaign the full season in 2012. Prodrive will also be building customer cars for independent teams to use.

As expected, Kris Meeke has been named as the first driver who will compete for Prodrive in the Mini Countryman WRC. Meeke, from Northern Ireland, is the current Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion. It’s rumoured that he could be joined at Mini by two-time WRC champion Marcus Grönholm.