t was reported the previous week that the Camaro Z28 has been shelved and the Convertible model was on hold. The ensuing development shows that the Convertible is currently on track for an early launch in 2011, but the Z28 is going deeper into oblivion.
The reason for the delay with the Convertible was GM’s cost-cutting measures and the apprehension that the German supplier for the roof mechanism of the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible was about to succumb to the economic downturn. The Convertible went back on track after GM signed a new deal with the supplier which is still in operation to date. The original intention of GM with the Camaro Convertible is to launch it between 12 to 18 months after the Coupe is launched, which officially became available for sale this month.
With regards to the Z28, GM planned to equip it with a 550 hp (410kW) 6.3-liter V8 unit derived from the Cadillac CTX-V to remove any opportunity for the Dodge Challenger SRT8 and Shelby Form Mustang to claim the honor of king of modern-day muscle car. Unfortunately, the $50 million development cost, the imminent 35mpg CAFÉ requirements and niche status already killed the Z28 right from the very beginning.
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