To assure long-term durability, the convertible top underwent extensive testing during development, being opened and closed more than 22,500 times – three times more than would be expected in a typical 10 years of use. Some of those cycles were performed in extreme conditions; temperatures ranging from minus-22° F to 170° F and humidity of up to 95 percent.

“This past winter we even had our engineers driving 80 of these convertibles back and forth to work every day here in Michigan,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “They had to open and close the top five times each day no matter what the weather was like.”

Every Camaro Convertible undergoes a water test as it completes assembly in Oshawa, Ontario. In addition, vehicles are randomly chosen to undergo an eight-minute water test at the assembly facility in Oshawa and at an identical facility at the GM Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan. More than 7,200 gallons of water are hurled at the car in a hurricane-like downpour at a pace of 900 gallons per minute.  Read more and watch the video!

Addressing another aspect of interior comfort, Camaro Convertible’s three-layer top includes an acoustical liner made of rubber sandwiched between an acrylic square weave outer fabric and an inner reinforcing cotton layer. Engineers use a sophisticated human-ear mimicking device called the Aachen Head to measure noise levels. According to recent GM road test data, the Camaro Convertible achieved a better interior quietness acoustical rating than the Ford Mustang in interior quietness.

“For many buyers, a Camaro Convertible can be a collector car, something they might keep for generations. So we made sure the tops would retain their quality for a long, long time,” said Oppenheiser. “There is great value in a convertible with the original top.” Oppenheiser knows the needs for car collectors well. He personally restored a 1969 Camaro Convertible several years ago.

Consistent with its coupe-like performance dynamics, the Camaro Convertible offers the looks of the Camaro Coupe when the top is up. The five bow roof design provides a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that retains the sleek roofline of the coupe.

Unlike other convertible models in the segment, the Camaro top latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Once the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and activates the top, which completes its cycle in about 20 seconds.

To learn more about the extreme measures employed by Camaro Convertible engineers to verify quality and durability, watch the Dept. 180 Camaro Convertible video.

Musclevehicles.com – The Ultimate Blog for American Muscle Cars and Muscle Vehicles

Musclevehicles.com – The Ultimate Blog for American Muscle Cars and Muscle Vehicles

We’ve tested several Camaro 2SS coupes with six-speed manual transmissions, and most have hovered around 5.0 seconds to 60 mph with 13.0-second quarter-miles at 110 mph. That’s a good start, but shouldn’t an SS be at least a little scary?

Enter the 2010 SLP ZL575 Chevy Camaro SS, running to 60 mph from a standstill consistently in 4.2 seconds (3.9 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and shredding the quarter-mile in 12.2 seconds at 116.9 mph. Now that’s more like it — and a little scary the way an SS (or Z28) should be. These runs came with Nitto 555R Extreme Drag rear tires (275/40R20 inflated to 24 psi), but the same-size Pirelli P Zero street tires were only 0.1 second slower, although far more difficult to launch consistently.”

Read the full article at Insideline.com

Musclevehicles.com – The Ultimate Blog for American Muscle Cars and Muscle Vehicles