Camaro sports car called the most popular in the U.S. from April 2009 to December 2010, sold almost 143,000 dvuhdverok. This fall will start selling in Europe, where the coupe asking 38,900 euros and a convertible – 43,900.
I f Volt – the future of Chevrolet, a peerless Camaro – the embodiment of the traditions in the most unrefined form. Luckily, we still have a chance to touch the living legend. Not necessarily in its latest incarnation: there is so much different here dvuhdverok Camaro – as much as look at first. Parking rolls in the morning mist, filled with both modern coupe and convertible, and “vintage” cars model 1974, there CamaroIROC-Z1985-th. The catch is that either you take the historic machine, or current, and the possibility of change will not be. Such choice – knife to the heart!
The legs themselves are inside the car of the second generation. She eyed, yellow with black stripes. On the trunk lid – the duck-tail spoiler, like the Porsche of the same era. The hub steering head is depicted Autobots. A moment later, I was playing with the accelerator – a bustling rough voice pierces through the body. Even on 2000ob/mindvigatel shudder car body. This sounds a bit like ventriloquism, “one hundred and thirtieth” Zila …
In the second Camaro (pictured car’s interior in 1974) and third generation smell gasoline, and ergonomics of the driver’s seat plunges into shock. However, in the strength of character, much can be forgiven.
But emotions should be switched off! Classic Camaro – for the soul. We need to think about the reader, and it is much more important to a modern machine. After all, in the spring of 2012 in Russia will officially sell coupe with engines V6 3.6 and V8 6.2. But the fate of the gig is not solved yet, but, ironically, my companion for the next 200 miles is it open Camaro. Let my car is equipped with six-speed “automatic”, and weighs 1920 kg – that is no reason to be upset, is not it? What a handsome man!
Large car: 4837 mm in length, width and height of 1917 mm and 1360, respectively. Wheelbase – 2852 mm. V8 6.2 engine series L99, which is placed on the machine with the “automatic”, equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the valve timing and knows how to turn off half the cylinders with uniform load. Motor LS3, working in tandem with the “mechanics”, more old-fashioned and not burdened ecosystems.
Interior look nicer than the touch. While recalling that the U.S. Camaro is slightly less than $ 23 thousand, the materials will be finishing soon canceled. Use stiff pedal and the selector “machine” a thrill. Chair hard, but I would not mind the more pronounced lateral support. And straining thick front windscreen, which can hide behind an elephant, and rampant wind at the folded roof. He hosted a salon after 60km / h Windscreen is not provided.
Under the hood radiates life 16-valve “eight» L99 6.2 – a close relative of V8 LS1 engine of 1997, which puts even the previous Corvette C5. There were removed from power 405 and 556 N • m, which should disperse the Camaro Convertible to 100 km / h in 5,6 s … Neighborhood of Bern. Straight country road. In the hands – the best on the rim. “Automatic” – in the Drive, full throttle! Half a minute later, when the car stopped on the roadside, I say to myself: “I do not believe it!” Accelerating strange. Effective engine no doubt, but the transmission to him, sorry, not a couple.
According to specialists Chevrolet, Camaro European specification is already “in the database” feature upgraded suspension, available only for the top models in the U.S.. It has a more rigid shock absorbers and stabilizer bars, larger diameter (up to 23 mm in front and 24 mm rear). Brakes – Brembo four-mechanisms s355-millimetrovymidiskami front.
A feeling that was drowned in the depths of the converter a hundred “horses”. Convertible accelerates from laziness and accelerated as if in two phases. First, a weak pulse speedometer reaches 40 km / h, and then under the rending roar eardrums Camaro comes forward. But by that time you already have time unpleasantly surprised pause, makes the whole mood. Even sports mode “automatic” unable to correct the situation. In any case, you need to cross the kind of buffer zone before the Camaro will open before you the eight depth of character.
Passport speaker Convertible V6 engine is not disclosed. In a lighter coupe with “automatic” for acceleration from zero to 6.5 with 100km/chuhodit (with the “mechanics” exactly six). Regardless of the engine, transmission and body style Camaro top speed limited at around forcibly 250km/ch.Neponyatno what dzhiemovtsy ashamed, but in their corporate video from the range quite audible eight-cylinder engine of the Camaro SS. But see how he rolls.
When the speed exceeds 50 km / h, the wave thrust covers riders obeying the expeditious movement of the accelerator. Although recovery is still ninth wave precedes a small hitch notorious “machine” in the transition to a lower level. When the torque reaches its peak, the driver relatively quiet. Feed does not walk by an overabundance of feelings, and do not drive much emptied when unloading the steering wheels, while Camaro squats on the rear axle. Camaro Convertible sports car but not to name. Wheel though poured informative weight, but the car did not follow him so sharply and accurately as we would like. Brakes do not cause complete trust, and the suspension allows for small banks. Additionally gig banal lack body stiffness. Almost every pothole and pit it starts, the steering column goes shake. With the roof up the situation changes for the better, but this is not enough for the pleasure of driving.
When driving on the sleepy town of Switzerland and the deserted suburban road our Camaro Convertible spent an average of 17.2 liters per 100 km. A lot, given that we were going for the most part, in the quiet mode. According to his passport appetite combined cycle shall not exceed 13.1 m.
But comfort is acceptable: chassis swallow road imperfections without choking, and the background noise in the hood generates only a pleasant sound of the engine and exhaust system bass. Moreover, with the convertible driving through tunnels into a fun to play. Maximum smiles neighbors downstream, you are guaranteed under machine gun shooting two exhaust pipes … However, if you want a real and not a flashy drive, then you should choose a coupe with forsirovannoy432-strong “eight» LS3 and six-speed “mechanics”. Colleagues who were lucky enough to ride on this Camaro, unanimously praised and compelling dynamics, and more rigorous and complete behavior on the road. Coupe prices, we promise not space – from 1.9 million rubles for the version with the V6 and two and a half million in the car with V8. Soon there will be a chance to check what actually love Russians for oil-karam, which takmnogo say …
Technique
The design of the fifth generation Camaro is not called a backward, but on sverhtehnologichny she pulls. Dvuhdverka based on GM Zeta platform with McPherson struts at the front and rear chetyrehrychazhkoy. Ford Mustang, by the way, have yet to have a beam axle. But Zeta comes from the 1990s, it developed the firm Holden, Australia’s “daughter” of concern General Motors. This “truck” used in projects such as the Holden Commodore VE, Pontiac G8, Vauxhall VXR8, Holden Ute and Holden Caprice.
High strength steel is made only at the interface amplifier thresholds and rear wings. And from the ultra-high steel made only rapids. The use of lightweight materials Americans themselves do not bother: coupe with “eight” 6.2 and “mechanics” weighs 1769 kg, and the convertible with the same powertrain – 1890 kg.
At eight-cylinder engines LS3 and L99 same displacement – 6162 cm ³ (103.25 mm bore, stroke – 92 mm). The difference – in returns: LS3 develops 432 hp and 569 N • m and L99 only 405 hp and 556 N • m But the less powerful motor with phase shifters at the inlet and the mechanism of the company Eaton, locking actuator valves to turn off half the cylinders under partial load. But paired with “eight» LS3 can work only six-speed “mechanics”. With the dual-mass flywheel and dual-clutch transmission. Whereas L99 is solely dzhiemovsky shestidiapazonny “automatic» Hydra-Matic 6L80.
History
His appearance in the light Chevrolet Camaro must smash success of its main competitor – the coupe Ford Mustang, which fell on the conveyor in 1964. On the first day of sales fordovtsy collected over 22 thousand jobs. Originally planned to sell 100,000 Mustangs annually, but this threshold was surpassed in three months of sales. In just half a year was made more than a million cars. Naturally, the company Chevrolet wanted to grab their piece of the pie – hastily prepared the pony-car Camaro.
To beat the Mustang Camaro buyers began in late September 1966. The car was collected at plants in California and Ohio for the first full year (1967) was sold over 220,000 first-generation Camaro dvuhdverok. It was a success, although the Mustang for the same period found 460,000 buyers. In 1969, among the competitors dropped mrazryv: Chevrolet chose just over 243 thousand people, and Ford – about 300 thousand.
What attracted Camaro Americans? One can only look to captivate for years! Besides offering customers not only a coupe, and convertible. The car was built on a new platform GM F-body, which is used and another dzhiemovsky pony-car Pontiac Firebird. The front suspension was independent, but the design of the rear differ depending on the version. Base machines were content with a beam axle odnolistovymi springs and expensive modifications (SS, Z28) were equipped with the multi. At various times Camaro came with a V8 engine and in-line “six” working volume of 3.8 to 7 liters capacity from 140 to 430 hp Transmission was a three-or four-stage mechanical or two-and three-band “automatic”. The first-generation Camaro was produced until 1969, was only about 700 thousand pieces. Of these, 28 503 – a powerful updating Z28 (pictured top right). And the most efficient version has coupe Camaro ZL1 COPO Service (Central Office Production Order). Under the hood burlila436-strong atmospheric “eight” 7.0 (610 N • m). It was said that in fact, the unit gave out all 500 “horses”, but it is recorded in the passport of 436 hp The car was created specifically for competition drag racing, but was approved for use on public roads. All was done 69 of these machines. And they cost at the time the cosmic $ 7200.
The second generation car stayed on the line much longer: from 1970 to 1981. Thanks to the commercial success of the “first» Camaro Chevrolet experts afford to spend on the development of a completely new car. More rigid body, an upgraded rear-drive platform … Dvuhrychazhka front on a stretcher, the back – bridge with multi-leaf springs and stabilizer bar. The springs and dampers optimized for improved comfort and handling. To help the driver was offered a sharper steering.
With the motor did not split hairs: almost all of them got the Camaro from its predecessor, only the power drops due to more stringent environmental requirements. Exception – the base row “Six” 3.8, which gave way to the engine 4.1 (155 hp). Instead semilitrovogo “monster” under the hood top model introduced V8 6.6 capacity of over 375 “horses”. Versions LT, RS (Rally Sport), SS and Z28 offered with four “mechanics» Borg-Warner three-band or “automatic» Turbo Hydra-Matic 400. Almost every year Camaro slightly updated. That new grille and bumpers, improved seat or decoration materials … But the fate of the “second» Camaro evolved not so fortunate. Machines do not meet national standards for safety and toxicity, plants fever strikes (conveyor in Norwood stood 174 days), insurance companies raised rates for owners of high-end machines – it is not surprising that in 1972 was only 68,656 dvuhdverok. Which began in 1973, the fuel crisis was the final blow to the pony car (there were rumors about it), but sales began to rise. V1973-mbylo sold almost 97,000 vehicles a year later – all 150,000. In 1975, Americans bought more than 1981godah 1250000 Camaro. Record year was predpensionnyy1979 th -282,571 thing.
The third part of the series began in January 1982. The car still onaschalas spring rear suspension, but by 1987 he returned to the lineup convertible. However, the assessment of the visual changes! Roundness changed faces, and gave way to the naive view Squinting rectangular lights. In addition it was the first Camaro with four-cylinder motor, fuel injection, five-speed “mechanics” and the four speed “automatic”. Length of the machine reached 4877 mm, width and height – 1849 mm and 1278, respectively. Wheelbase has decreased from 2748 to 2565 mm.
And the engines in the line has five. By default, it was atmospheric “Quartet» Iron Duke 2.5 (110 hp and 183 N • m). The surcharge could be obtained and V6 2.8 (112 hp and 197 N • m with a carburetor, 135 hp and 224 N • m-injected), and V8 5.0 (165 hp and over 240 N • m). Top model considered coupe CamaroIROC-Zobraztsa 1985. Such machines komplketovalis “eight” 5.0 and 5.7. The first could work in conjunction with a five-speed “mechanics” (215 hp) and a quad “machine” (190). The second was available only in tandem with the “automatic”, but the power of 225 “horses” (later 245 troops). Named after the competition International Race of Champions modification differs migrated suspension with shorter springs and dampers less pliable Bilstein, thicker stabilizer bars, differential lock and injection system from the Corvette. In 1985 he was made only 500 of these compartments. In general, “the third» Camaro stayed on the line until 1992.
The new Camaro of 1993 swollen fat and looked like a fish. And long Razdan to 4915 mm! Although the wheelbase has increased almost imperceptibly, to 2568 mm. From boring interior too sleepy, but the interior is more stout, and equipment included and traction control, and cruise control, and air conditioning and four airbags … Just carried it all on himself the same platformaF-body: dvuhrychazhku reconfigured, rear use dependency scheme de Dion. With this chassis could enjoy only when driving straight ahead.
From the four-cylinder engine refused to replace his “six” 3.4 160 hp Next to the table of ranks were V6 3.8 (200 hp), V8 LT1 5.7 (275) and V8 LS1 5.7 (310 or 325 troops). Dynamics of machines with “eight” was more than convincing :275-silnoekupe reached 97km/chspustya 5.5 seconds after the start. Customers are offered a number of modifications, including a “warm» Z28 and “hot» SS, as well as the convertible soft top. In the course were five-and six-speed manual transmission and the quad “machines.” But the popularity of the “fourth» Camaro dropped to dismal levels. For example, In 1998, mamerikantsy bought 48,490 dvuhdverok and v2002-m-a little more than 42 thousand. The United States needed a new Camaro: modern and classic at the same time. But there was a car, only seven years after …
The event-by prazdnovaniyu100 letiyamarki Chevrolet included many famous models of the company. From private collections were mobilized sedan Bel Air 1957, rear-compartment Corvair Monza1965-state “boxer” pyatidverka De Luxe1931-th, Corvette Stingray … Machines rare and very interesting, no doubt, but when the morning air was vibrating from work unheated “eights” old Camaro, others retreated into the shadows. The “old men” in my chart is not a place. Worse. Lost in villages near Bern, and I flew past the current coupe Camaro.
