New-look Chevrolet Camaro lobs

CHEVROLET’S facelifted Camaro has been revealed for its home US market, but whether Australians will get the new version of the Ford Mustang-baiting muscle car is still up in the air.

Last year, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) confirmed it will import and convert the 2018 model year Camaro into right-hook form to go on sale in Holden showrooms this July, but HSV marketing general manager Damon Paull remained mum on the prospect of the just-revealed 2019 version landing Down Under.

“As flagged last December, we’ll be bringing the MY18 Camaro 2SS in mid-year with our re-engineering/production to commence at HSV (around) July,” he said.

“We don’t have any comment to make with the facelifted Camaro revealed overnight.”Although Mr Paull would not be drawn on further details, he said “we expect to reveal full specifications and pricing within the next month”, which is rumoured to come in around $90,000 before on-roads – about $30,000 more expensive than the updated V8-powered Ford Mustang.

Confirmed to arrive locally in only one flavour – the 6.2-litre V8-powered 2SS that punches out 340kW/615Nm in US guise – the 2018 Camaro will send power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

However, the 2019 update will see the eight-speed unit upgraded to a new 10-speed transmission with custom launch control and line lock burnout functions.

Slight styling tweaks differentiate the two SS-grade Camaros, including a reworked front end with a new ‘flowtie’ open grille emblem, as well as aerodynamically enhanced air curtains, bespoke headlights and a reworked bonnet.

At the rear, the SS gains a new diffuser when optioned with the Dual Mode Exhaust, while LED tail-lights and new 20-inch wheels also feature.

Other changes in the Camaro line-up include an updated infotainment system that mirrors the functionality of smartphones with a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen unit as standard and an 8.0-inch display available as an option.

2SS grades will get a rear camera mirror as standard that offers a “less obstructed field of view using a camera display that eliminates potential obstructions such as rear body pillars or seat headrests”, as well as an improved, high-definition reversing camera, forward collision alert and an enhanced data recorder system.

While the facelift also ushers in a new 2.0-litre Turbo 1LE variant for the Camaro that kicks out 205kW/400Nm, at this stage HSV will only import the 6.2-litre V8 version.

Chevrolet marketing director for cars and crossovers Steve Majoros said: “Lauded since its introduction for its balance of driving fun, refinement and value, the restyled 2019 Camaro reaches even higher with more of the design, technology and choices that customers want.

“It’s a performer with few competitors and a pillar of Chevrolet’s energised car line-up,” he said.