| Fuzzy Dice |
02-21-2009 01:16 PM |
New info from the Canadian Show (and a few GM folks)
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I went to the Canadian Auto Show and spent at least an hour between the black LT and IOM SS they had. Also chatted with some folks from the assembly plant and scored some VERY interesting info. Other impressions are posted below that news.
Hold on to your seat, but there is apparently a GREEN coming:confused0068:. A few factory workers were at the show and available for questions. I asked a pile—one of which got me the answer that the paint shop has recently painted a green Camaro. Not lime, not emerald, but somewhere in the middle and metallic from what I gather. Not available on any other GM car but the guy from the plant told me it is the nicest colour of all when you see it on the car. It may become the colour they show the production convertible with or possibly a late add for the coupe. Wow.
Also- Canadian allocations—2300 units in CY 2009. Production split would be 15% LS, 40%1LT, 10% 2LT, 10% 1SS and 25% 2SS.
Hurst shifter pricing still not released for Canada but it is still slated as a dealer installed option.
Several convertibles have been made on the line already.
Ambient Lighting---they have made a number of cars with the feature on the line but there are delays and there are ‘issues’ being worked on. Apparently the dash portion has seen some challenges during testing but it looks awesome when it works. The plant guys did not know whether the feature would make it for initial startup or would be yet another late add.:iono:
HUD – the guys I talked to have also seen HUD units come through but didn’t elaborate on what the delay is there, other than to say it is delayed.
Other thoughts:
VIN on the 2SS was #39. Looking down in front of the engine I saw a sticker from Martinrea stamping plant in Ajax, Ontario dated Dec 2008, so that vehicle was obviously built sometime in late Dec or thereafter. I did not note the VIN on the LT as I was so captivated by the SS. IOM colour is phenomenal. Not as red as it looks in pictures. Those of you who ordered it sight unseen are going to be completely amazed.
Leather quality was great and seats very comfortable. I am 5'8" and found headroom a bit less than expected...but that may be because the seat was raised a bit. The battery was disconnected so we couldn't adjust the height. Leg room was great up front and a bit snug in back. Visibility through the windshield was narrower than Challenger or Mustang. Both vehicles had the sunroof--a GM guy suggested that this particular sunroof reduces headroom by about 1.5". Noticed that the vinyl stripes were very thick--yet not thick enough to prevent some prying fingers from picking at them to see how easily they come off.
A few disappointments about the interior for me. Dash material was a bit 'plasticky'--don't think Pontiac Sunfire (sorry Sunfire owners) but also don't think Chev Impala either. I found the radio area to be a bit awkward to look at so I couldn't help but wonder how a Nav system or Challenger-style MyGig setup would enhance the appeal a bit more. I also found that tapping my fingers on the passenger side where the airbag would be produced a hollow drum sound—I don’t know if there was an airbag in it, but the sound did seem a bit unusual. Console gauge pack was awesome on the 2SS. Trunk opening was a bit smaller than I hoped, but inside cargo space was adequate for my usage. For those fellow hockey players, you will struggle to fit a hockey bag through the opening, but there is enough room inside to carry it. Will have to wait to see one at a dealer to confirm. Golf bags should fit without issue, but you will have to remove the longer clubs and put them in separately.
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