Chevrolet has confirmed that the new Camaro will be converted to right-hand drive for the European market where it will steal a march on the Ford Mustang.
Wayne Brannon, Chief Executive of Chevrolet Europe, said, “We can have a maximum of 1000 right-hand-drive coupés, and 1000 right-hand drive cabriolets, so the UK should get a good number of models.”
Exact numbers of the 400bhp, 6.0-litre Camaro due to be officially imported to the UK are undecided, but senior sources suggest that it will be about 300 units of each variant.
British enthusiasts will get their first opportunity to see the new Camaro cabriolet at this year’s London motor show, where the American company will have a big presence. It is also likely that the Excel event will reveal whether the Camaro is to get the Chevrolet badge or remain a standalone brand, in the same way as Corvette.
The company had planned not to brand the Camaro with the Chevrolet name in order to preserve the firm’s budget philosophy. But with new plans being implemented to expand the range, sources have said that that the new model is likely to get the Chevrolet name and be sold through Chevrolet dealerships.
Expect UK sales of the Camaro coupe to begin in early 2010, with the convertible to follow later. Prices are still unconfirmed but they will exceed those of the £35,695 Vauxhall VXR8.
