Chevrolet Camaro June 2018. 5 Years Sooner Than Planned.

[csv8]

"DIEHARD Holden V8 fans have a reason to cheer, even as they prepare to farewell the homegrown Commodore.
The iconic Chevrolet Camaro muscle car will fill the V8 void in Holden showrooms next year, almost five years ahead of schedule - and ahead of the next generation flagship Corvette sports car due in 2020.
These exclusive photos show Holden is preparing to import the Camaro SS and have it converted to right-hand-drive in Melbourne by its longstanding performance-car partner Holden Special Vehicles.
The two Camaros caught on camera near HSV's secret engineering centre are yet to be switched to right-hand-drive, but the plans are well progressed, with direct support from Detroit.
Holden wasn't supposed to get the Camaro until the next generation due in 2022, when it will be built in right-hand-drive on the North American production line for the first time.
But the runaway success of the Ford Mustang - the Camaro's arch rival - has seen Holden pull out all stops to get the Chevrolet into local showrooms as soon as possible.
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The Chevrolet Camaro recently pictured near HSV engineering headquarters.
Dodge is also said to be considering building the next generation Charger SRT sedan and Challenger coupe in right-hand-drive from the factory (see breakout).
When Ford reintroduced the Mustang in Australia in late 2015 - as a factory-built right-hand-drive for the first time - it conservatively estimated about 1000 sales per year.
This year, it is poised to sell almost 10,000 Mustangs, roughly half the total sports car market in Australia.
The Camaro will fill a crucial blank in Holden's line-up when it arrives in selected Holden showrooms mid-2018, about the same time as a facelifted version of the Ford Mustang.
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The Chevrolet Camaro pictured near HSV engineering headquarters in Melbourne.
When the Commodore V8 goes out of production on October 20, it will be the first time since 1968 Holden does not have a V8 in its line-up.
The 2018 Commodore imported from Germany is only available with four-cylinder or V6 power.
The imminent arrival of the Camaro means there will only be a six-month gap without a V8.
Because the local conversion process adds significant engineering costs to each car - and therefore pushes up the price - Holden does not expect to match the Mustang for sales. " https://www.themorningbulletin.com.a...o-con/3229171/

[Bill M]

So that is why HSV has been adverting for auto assemblers

[Dalonian]

Interesting, but it will be similar to the 2001 Tickford Mustangs I reckon. $80k and not many sold.

[Sioso]

Originally Posted by Dalonian

Interesting, but it will be similar to the 2001 Tickford Mustangs I reckon. $80k and not many sold.

If they were $80K I think they would sell.
My bet is closer to $100K, especially when it's coming via way of HSV.

[CyberWasp]

The other question is will it be a Holden or a Chevrolet.

[Dalonian]

I'd say HSV branded.

[roKWiz]

The rise of the muscle cars again it seems. And Fiat Chrysler ?

[csv8]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

The rise of the muscle cars again it seems. And Fiat Chrysler ?

Australia could get a third American muscle car in a couple of years, with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles looking at producing the next generation of the Dodge Charger and Challenger in right-hand drive.
The next generation was originally due in 2018 but according to US media reports the launch has been moved back to 2020 or 2021.
Fiat-Chrysler is reportedly looking at a major update to the current cars in 2019, before developing all-new models based on the same underpinnings as either Alfa's Romeo's Giulia or Maserati's Ghibli.
Fiat-Chrysler Australia won't comment on the plans, other than to confirm it has "a live business case" lodged with the US for the next generation cars.

[mr smith]

What an ugly vehicle..

[mwb235]

Will there be Mustang -v- Camaro at Bathurst?

[M&Ms]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

The other question is will it be a Holden or a Chevrolet.

Holden have already confirmed it'll remain badged as a Chevrolet, as it should be

[mwb235]

Originally Posted by M&Ms

Holden have already confirmed it'll remain badged as a Chevrolet, as it should be

Damn. We’ll have to put Holden badges on it just to be different.

[mwb235]

Originally Posted by mr smith

What an ugly vehicle..

The grille looks poxy but otherwise it looks ok I reckon

[CoupeKing]

So it's not out of the realms of possibility that in a few years time a decent chunk of the starting field at Mt Panorama could consist of Chevs, Fords (imports) and Dodge?

[mwb235]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

So it's not out of the realms of possibility that in a few years time a decent chunk of the starting field at Mt Panorama could consist of Chevs, Fords (imports) and Dodge?

As long as they’re 8’s it’s all good

[GCRXR6]

Hawaii FiveO fans to rush the sales? Nah..don't think so. Actually, while on a tour of Hawaii recently, there were more Mustangs sighted than Camaros.

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by mr smith

What an ugly vehicle..

Does not look any worse than the FG-X with its grille.

About time they brought this.

[Bolly47]

Bloody ugly car look like **** rocket car. Not suitable for Australia road Too ugly, Too much plastic mould can be very expensive to repair if hit coke can on the road

[4stanger]

Originally Posted by Sioso

If they were $80K I think they would sell.
My bet is closer to $100K, especially when it's coming via way of HSV.

Price will be a factor, but also what you get for that price,
If you search through the chevrolet website for camaro, there is heaps of options and configurations to build the camaro.
starting price of the bog standard 2.0 litre turbo from about $26,000 USD. then jumps up to about $38,000 USD. for a standard V8, with bugger all features compared to the Mustang we get here, to get something like the GT Mustang we get here will cost about $43,000 USD. and we haven't put it on the boat, changed the exchanged rate and modified the dash to shift the steering wheel!
So it will be interesting what sort of camaro you are able to chose to purchase here.

Next will be the issue of safety ratings, that occasionally get brought up on here from time to time

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by 4stanger

Next will be the issue of safety ratings, that occasionally get brought up on here from time to time

You can safely bet it won't be tested.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by mwb235

As long as they’re 8’s it’s all good

Holden is already testing a V6TT, so 8's are on their way out too.

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

So it's not out of the realms of possibility that in a few years time a decent chunk of the starting field at Mt Panorama could consist of Chevs, Fords (imports) and Dodge?

Probably more like KIAs and Hyundais.
They dropped the "V8" out of V8 Supercars, so its just called Supercars now.

[bangm001]

Cant wait for this to happen. New era for Australian performance cars. Just hope they work on the build quality better than their current 300s and Jeeps before they ship them over.

[Syndrome]

https://media.giphy.com/media/iBEYU5pAss67m/giphy.gif

[roddy1960]

G'day , Typical of GM/H.. A conversion !!!!!!!...That would not be a proper way to do it. Greatest respect to HSV because they've done some amazingly awesome cars but having Camaro done that way is nothing short of cheating and treating loyal Holden fans with contempt. Same as calling the replacement to Commodore that. Bloody insult . Wait for the actual RHD factory cars for goodness sake. Even if I had the dosh I wouldn't want an afterthought version of the older platform Camaro. Cheers Rod

[Iggle Piggle]

Hmmm, so what you are saying is what Ford did in the early 2000s with Mustang was typical of Ford, not a proper way of doing it, nothing short of cheating and treated their fans with contempt. Bloody insult, should have waited for the actual RHD cars for goodness sake. Gotcha, good job.

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by Iggle Piggle

Hmmm, so what you are saying is what Ford did in the early 2000s with Mustang was typical of Ford, not a proper way of doing it, nothing short of cheating and treated their fans with contempt. Bloody insult, should have waited for the actual RHD cars for goodness sake. Gotcha, good job.

Yea it was.. overpriced failure.

Difference is Ford fans were not fooled but the Holden clan will lap up this hash job on potentially the ugliest car of the dacade.

[Iggle Piggle]

I doubt that. They will sell a few to the blind faithful, but not many. Too many know next gen will be made in RHD and is not far away, and that the price of these will tank seriously when that comes along. The few I know that purchased new HSVs talk about their next cars being German, Dodge or Chrysler.

Besides, those that want one of these can already import them and have it converted...I regularly see two of these (and many other converted current model US trucks) just off Port Wakefield rd at Camperagent RV. I'm always looking as I lust after one of their ridiculous luxury set-ups where the truck has a semi-like turntables to tow one of their glam campers...these things are friggin' huge: http://camperagent.com.au/american-trucks/

I think the whole thing is a stupid idea for stupid people...was just pointing out Roddy's own goal.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

G'day , Typical of GM/H.. A conversion !!!!!!!...That would not be a proper way to do it. Greatest respect to HSV because they've done some amazingly awesome cars but having Camaro done that way is nothing short of cheating and treating loyal Holden fans with contempt. Same as calling the replacement to Commodore that. Bloody insult . Wait for the actual RHD factory cars for goodness sake. Even if I had the dosh I wouldn't want an afterthought version of the older platform Camaro. Cheers Rod

Lol, how the hell is it cheating, they aren't trying to pass it off as a factory RHD or anything else, the people who buy them will know full well what they are buying and if they don't mind dropping their hard earned on it, who are you to question it.
As Iggle Piggle said, there are companies currently doing exactly what HSV are suggesting and I haven't read any horror stories to date.
Would I buy one, no, not my thing, but I wouldn't throw my toys out of the cot because HSV are doing it and some Holden fan may buy it.

Sounds like sour grapes to me!

[jpblue1000]

Fair bit to convert to RHD, will add a fair price premium I'd think.
Mechanicals like steering rack, column and pedals, then parts like dash, dash wiring, switchgear, speedometer, centre console, side mirrors and possibly interior one too, airbags, possibly seats if they have different functions or even mounting position and headlights.
I quite like the camaro ZL1 1LE in the linked article. Wouldn't buy one probably.
JP