Chevrolet has attacked this year's 2011 SEMA Show in full force, bringing with it not just its fresh lineup of compact and subcompact cars (represented by the Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevrolet Sonic), but also its stalwart muscle and sports models. The Chevrolet Camaro and the Chevrolet Corvette have each been given special SEMA treatment, with a number of exclusive cars making their debuts on the show floor in Las Vegas.
No fewer than five unique editions of the Chevrolet Camaro are being shown off at this year's SEMA event. The Camaro Red Zone Concept takes the standard rag top version of the automobile and adds a unique red paint job, a lowered suspension system, additional suspension upgrades and a host of accessories and trim improvements that set the car apart from the production vehicle. The Camaro Synergy Series Concept was put together along the same lines, making full use of the Chevrolet accessories catalog in order to dress up the coupe's looks and add a dash of extra performance via the use of the same suspension improvements made to the Red Zone, as well as the installation of a Hurst shifter.
The Chevrolet Camaro 1LE heads in a different direction, emphasizing the car's competition roots by putting together a complete road racing package. The vehicle's one-off design features an extensive array of equipment that splits the difference between the current SS and the upcoming ZL1 versions of the car, including a Magnetic Ride Control suspension system, a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, lightweight 20-inch racing wheels clad in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G rubber and enormous six-piston Brembo brakes. Additional power is produced thanks to a unique exhaust system, and the vehicle's Victory Red paint is set off via a flat black hood and a red engine cover.
The Camaro ZL1 might not yet be on sale, but Chevrolet will be introducing the ZL1 Carbon Concept to help whet the appetites of an already-frenzied muscle car fan base. The Carbon Concept is visually differentiated from the ZL1 through the extensive use of carbon fiber trim, including a rear spoiler, interior insets and a hood insert that is designed to give the vehicle the automotive equivalent of a Mohawk haircut.
Perhaps the most whimsical of the Camaro SEMA participants is the Camaro Hot Wheels Concept, which was inspired by a 1968 toy edition of the coupe. One of the original Hot Wheels cars to hit the market, Chevrolet duplicated the scale model's Spectraflame paint job using a unique process that involved layering on coats of a green tint over a chrome base coat - the first attempt ever made on a full-size automobile to mimic the Hot Wheels' paint scheme. The vehicle features many small touches that serve as shout-outs to the Hot Wheels brand, including sill plates and embroidered seat logos, and the car's aggressive stance and overall sporty appearance is made possible through the raiding of both the Chevrolet accessories catalog and the ZL1 parts bin. A 1:64 scale version of the Hot Wheels Concept will be offered for sale by the company in partnership with the SEMA car.
Not to be outdone, Chevrolet's in-house Corvette tuners and customizers produced two models of their own for display at SEMA. The Corvette Carlisle Blue Grand Sport Concept celebrated three decades of the popular Carlisle Corvette show, and in addition to its special blue paint that vehicle also comes with a hand-built, 6.2-liter V-8 engine, Magnetic Ride Control suspension, a full load of factory equipment and a generous helping of Chevrolet Corvette accessories. The Corvette Z06 Ron Fellows 'Hall of Fame' Tribute car simplifies the sports car's winning formula in order to create a vehicle its road racing champion namesake would be proud of. The coupe comes with the Z06 Performance Package, a carbon fiber hood, front splitter and side moldings and unique graphics that are designed to commemorate the Corvette's success on the track.
