When it comes to having fun in the sun in an iconic muscle car you only have a few choices. One choice that is now available is the all-new Chevrolet Camaro RS V6 Convertible.
The new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro continues to be a hit considering how it outsold the Mustang in 2010, according to early 2011 sales figures. To further compel consumers that the Camaro means business, a new convertible model has been introduced for 2011 featuring virtually all of the sporty looks of the new Camaro , while letting your hair blow in the wind.
Much has changed since the last Camaro convertible in 2002. The new Camaro convertible has refinement and a sporty appeal yet still infuses an iconic heritage that has been a part of the Camaro since its introduction as a 1967 pony car.
The all-new 2011 Camaro Convertible has a smooth contoured top that carries over the coupe’s stylish looks. Advanced engineering applied to the convertible preserves many of the good handling and ride characteristics of the coupe without making things soft. Even in the Camaro V6 convertible, the Camaro does not lose its proper place among true American pony cars.
Noise and vibration issues where nonexistent in my convertible Camaro test vehicle. This demonstrated many of the additional reinforcements put in place to make the convertible rigid and quite capable on local twisty roads. The optional 20-inch wheels and meaty tires, 245/40 front 275/30 rear Pirelli P-Zero rubber, found on my RS package equipped Camaro convertible not only added to the stunning looks but helped keep the drop-top pony car planted to the road in the corners.
My new Camaro RS V6 convertible 2LT-trimed test vehicle was equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic that isn’t afraid to let the throaty V6 rev all the way to redline using all available 312 horsepower. The optional heads-up display, virtually identical to the Corvette’s system, keeps the driver informed of shifts especially when you are using the steering wheel mounted shift controls in manual shift mode. Although the V6 Camaro convertible is not as quick as the Camaro SS V8 convertible, it is no slouch when pushed to the limit.
The new Camaro V6 convertible gets a respectable EPA estimated 18mpg city and 29mpg highway, same as the coupe which is 254 pounds lighter than the convertible.
The new Camaro convertible’s power soft-top takes about 20 seconds to open or close and built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette convertible top. Ambient road noise transmits into the cabin with the top up, which is somewhat expected on soft-top convertibles. The top, however, does give you the option to place a folding one-piece tonneau cover on the top when it is down to give it a complete look. The cover is stored in the trunk when not in use. This can be rather annoying when you are on the go and need to quickly close the top. Not to mention, the tonneau cover will fly off on the highway if you do not take an extra minute to secure the cover in place. Over all the top is easy to use and can be easily secured in place , up or down, in a matter of seconds.
The new Camaro convertible V6 with the RS package has an excellent interior with supportive seats. The 4-person seating area is only formidable when you have someone well over 6-feet tall in the front seat taking any usable legroom away from the rear-seat occupants. Otherwise, the rear seating is usable and considerably exciting at highway speeds with the top down.
The new heads-up display proves to be an excellent addition to the Camaro convertible keeping the driver’s eyes planted on the road. Clear and large controls on the dashboard are also another well-thought-of part of the Camaro’s interior. The layout remains to be virtually identical to the Camaro coupe in all trim levels even down to the 4-gauge auxiliary cluster pods.
There are not many cars that look as good as the new Camaro topless. For a price starting at just $29,275, the all-new 2011 Camaro V6 convertible packs in new-age retro styling wrapped up in a stunning economical drop-top American pony car package. My test vehicle had an as-tested price of $36,185 including the RS package (20-inch flangeless painted-aluminum wheels with Midnight Silver finish, High Intensity Discharge headlamps with integral LED halo rings, unique tail lamps, and rear spoiler).
Copyright: 2011 AutomotiveAddicts.com
