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| 2012 Chevrolet Cars : CAR TRENDS |
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| 2012 Chevrolet Cars : CAR TRENDS |
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| 2012 Chevrolet Cars : CAR TRENDS |
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| 2012 Chevrolet Cars : CAR TRENDS |
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| 2012 Chevrolet Cars : CAR TRENDS |
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| 2012 Chevrolet Cars : CAR TRENDS |
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| 2012 Chevrolet Cars : CAR TRENDS |
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| 2012 Chevrolet Cars : CAR TRENDS |
2012 Camaro: 45th Anniversary Edition Boosts Power, Comfort Sports car brings new, more powerful V-6, sport suspension and new technologies DETROIT – Chevrolet Camaro, America’s most pop sports car, extends its momentum with enhancements for the 2012 model year. Highlights include an improved version of its standard 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine, a new FE4 performance suspension package for SS coupes and several interior and technology improvements, such as a revised instrument panel design, new steering wheel and rear camera system.
The enhancements arrive in time for Camaro’s 45th birthday, which will be celebrated with this summer’s release of the 45th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro. Continuing the tradition of Camaro anniversary models, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition carries all the upgrades for 2012, with extra unique design elements, inside and out.
“The appeal of Camaro design and performance has powered it to the top of its segment,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “For 2012, we’re capitalizing on that impulse with enhancements to Camaro’s performance and comfort.”
Also coming in early 2012 is the high-performance Camaro ZL1, the most technologically advanced car ever developed in its segment.
Class-leading 3.6L V-6 engine
Camaro’s new 3.6L direct shot V-6 – the LFX engine – goes into production this summer. It delivers an SAE-certified 323 hp (241 kW) at 6,800 rev – an increase of 11 horsepower (8 kW) over the 2011 engine, with no compromise in fire economy.
The LFX delivers the most standard power in the regular sports car segment. It is also 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg) lighter than its predecessor, which promotes a more balanced impulsive experience. EPA-estimated highway fuel economy for the ’12 Camaro is 30 mpg (2LS model).
Compared to the 3.6L V-6 in 2011 models, the new LFX engine features:
* New cylinder head design with integrated exhaust manifold
* Improved intake port design and larger intake valves within the cylinder heads
* Longer-duration intake camshafts
* Composite intake manifold
* New fuel ticker and isolated fuel rail
* New, optimized-flow fuel injectors
* Structural front cover and cylinder block enhancements
* Stronger and lighter-weight connecting rods
* Camshaft cap and throttle body design enhancements.
Direct shot is the key technology enabling the engine’s compounding of power and efficiency. It optimizes fire delivery to the burning chamber by introducing fuel closer to the burning chamber. The result is better efficiency in the burning process leading to increased fuel efficiency at part and full throttle. It also uses a new fuel ticker for the direct injection system, along with a new, isolated fuel rail. The new fire ticker is quieter, while the isolated fire rail further reduces fire system noise.
FE4 suspension enhances performance
The new FE4 suspension debuts as a performance improvement for the Camaro SS coupe in 2012, focusing on more refined handling.
“Our objective was to create a more exact sport suspension for the SS coupe, with greater road-holding capability,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “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.”
Elements of the FE4 package include:
* Retuned front and rear dampers
* New solid front (23 mm) and rear (24 mm) stabiliser bars
* Twenty-inch aluminum wheels and P245/45R20 front/P275/40R20 rear tires (SS).
More than just new components, the new FE4 performance suspension incorporates learning from the ongoing development of the high-performance Camaro ZL1. In particular, the suspension geometry has been adjusted, including reshaped stabiliser bars that ar repositioned outboard of the shock mounts. This results in more effective body control and more accurate response in performance driving.
Interior, outside and technology updates
The 2012 model year brings appearance, ergonomic and technology upgrades inside for Camaro drivers and passengers. The interior updates admit a revised instrument panel appearance, with new instrument graphics and trim, as well as a new steering wheel design and a power lift feature for the front rider seat. The steering wheel features a fresh new look and ergonomic improvements intended to support performance driving.
Also new for Camaro in 2012 is a Rear Vision Package, which adds a rearview camera system and an auto-dimming mirror to the existent Rear Park Assist feature. The rearview camera system complements the rear parking assist by providing a video display of the area behind the car, with the video image appearance in the car’s inside rearview mirror.
On the outside for 2012, a new rear spoiler will be added as a standard feature for Camaro; and the taillamps that had been a part of the RS appearance package option are also being made standard. Additionally, a new, body-color “sharkfin” antenna joins the RS package.
Crystal Red Tintcoat replaces Red Jewel as an exterior color.
45th Anniversary package details
Launching this summer, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition commemorates both Camaro’s lineage and its 21st-century revival. Camaro fans will get their first look astatine the 45th Anniversary Special Edition at the Camaro5 Fest II, April 15 in Arizona. The anniversary package will be offered on Camaro’s top two trim levels (2LT and 2SS) for both coupe and convertible body styles.
The exterior signature of the 45th Anniversary Special Edition is its unique rally stripe, in red and silver, that contrasts the Carbon Flash Metallic paint. The package also includes:
* Unique 45th Anniversary hood and deck stripes; badges located beneath the front fender emblems
* New-design 20-inch wheels in dark silver
* Fog lamp and taillamp bezels ruined in dark silver
* RS-style taillamp lenses
* Standard rear spoiler and HID headlamps
* Body-color ceiling molding
* Jet Black interior with leather-trimmed seats featuring the 45th Anniversary logo
* White instrument panel and door trim inserts with the 45th Anniversary logotype on the instrument panel
* Red, white and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob/boot, door armrests and console lid
* 45th Anniversary logotype on the steering wheel and sill plates.
2012 Chevrolet Cars : CAR TRENDS
