GM to officially import Camaro to UK. Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed

[balagan]

Well it looks like the Camaro will make it to the UK officially, which means the boys at Topgear may feature it in this coming season.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...Camaro/250526/

GM UK has finally announced that it will begin official imports of Chevrolet’s American muscle coupé, the Camaro, this year.
The first official UK car will be on display at the Goodwood Moving Motor Show on Thursday 1 July.
The exact date for UK availability of cars, and their price, remains to be confirmed, but unlike those imported by third parties, official Camaros will have a UK warranty.
Residual values of existing imported cars are likely to suffer as a result.

Not sure if they will just be importing LHD models or if a RHD version will be available, I'm sure I remember reading GM were not going to bother with RHD due to costs and lack of demand from UK and Oz.




UPDATED WITH GM PRESS RELEASE:

HERE COMES THE CAMARO!

* Iconic Chevrolet will go on sale in the UK
* 6.2-litre V8 426bhp Camaro will arrive in 2011
* Official announcement at Goodwood Festival of Speed

One car is set to create a bigger buzz than most at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, as Chevrolet announces that its Bumblebee themed Camaro marks the launch of the new model in the UK.

Building on Chevrolet's iconic US Heritage, the retro-styled Camaro has been on sale in the USA since 2009, and has already seen sales in excess of 200,000 as American retailers cleared their waiting lists.

And very soon, those waiting to get their hands on an official Camaro in the UK will have reason to celebrate - the car will go on sale as an official Chevrolet, complete with full manufacturer warranty, during the first half of 2011.

With looks that draw heavily from the styling of the legendary 1967-69 Camaro - immortalised in song in Bruce Springsteen's Racing in the Street and on the silver screen in both 2 Fast 2 Furious and Transformers - the car is a full four-seater, with an interior that also takes significant cues from the look of its forebears.

The Camaro will be available only in top level V8 trim - the 6.2-litre 426bhp powerplant is as much of a legend as the Camaro itself. It promises a top speed electronically limited to 155mph, and a 0-60mph time of less than five seconds, coupled to a dynamic chassis that, thankfully, owes little to the layout of more traditional muscle cars.

Final specification details and prices will be announced closer to the car's 2011 launch. In the meantime, potential customers can register their interest at www.chevrolet.co.uk

[monstertodd]

How about that! Fantastic news for our UK brethren!

[Patriot]

I've said this before, but Europeans who love the Camaro are true fans...

Gas prices, $US/gal, regular (3/22/10):

US...3.05

Belgium...7.18
France...6.98
Germany...7.12
Italy...7.06
Netherlands...7.68
UK...6.65


Also consider that these countries are taxed all to hell and back so they have less disposable income than workers in the USA. True fans indeed.

[khabboub]

i kinda want a right hand drive camaro.

[Mikes SS]

I wonder how much the fully adjustable electrical right hand driver seat will be? would be a good thing for those wanting height adjustment for their passenger seat????????

[guiLT]

Well I guess thats good for sales...

[cab2g]

I couldn't drive nearly as much if gas cost as much as it did in the EU... But then again, I'd probably drive a lot less because everything would be a lot closer and public transportation wouldn't be a joke like it is anywhere except downtown in major cities here.

[SSinatra Andretti]

interesting

[CorvetteCamaroLover]

Originally Posted by Patriot

I've said this before, but Europeans who love the Camaro are true fans...

Gas prices, $US/gal, regular (3/22/10):

US...3.05

Belgium...7.18
France...6.98
Germany...7.12
Italy...7.06
Netherlands...7.68
UK...6.65


Also consider that these countries are taxed all to hell and back so they have less disposable income than workers in the USA. True fans indeed.

Consider this, I live in Scandinavia, Finland to be exact. There are a few imported SS Camaro's available for delivery. After they have had all the EU
regulations installed and all the import taxes have been levied on this big engined car, the cost to put this sweet car in your driveway is 85,000 euro's or well over $110,000 USD. So the cost of a new SS Camaro when I told friends at work was under $40,000 fully loaded they just looked at me in amazement.

[2010 SSRS]

$110,000, wow

[BRITCAM5]

Glad to hear the good news! All my fellow Brits love my Camaro at the Friday Night Cruisin at Old Town in Kissimmee, FL!

[CamChick]

I'd like to see what The Stig can do with it on the track

[Carson1]

I heard that Chevy will only be importing the SS and its going to be circa £35k. THat's $55k+. Not cheap but all cars are expensive here comparee to the USA. £35k for 400hp is actually competitive. I also heard it likely to be LHD only, shame as it will probably limit sales. But a camaro is always going to have a limited market due to the price of fuel £5+ per gallon. or £1.20 a litre!

In additon we pay annual road tax with the camaro falling into the top bracket - £450 a year.

Still, there's quite a few mustangs on the streets so fingers criossed it sells well over here.

[erosinski3882]

Don"t you mean export?