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by XboxOZ360

©2009 Grant Smythe – OXCGN

Forza 3 Update 14th October #11

OXCGN Forza 3 October Update #11 – Daily Vehicle News 2010 Curvaceous Chevy Camaro Carries On

After a somewhat lackluster 4th generation of Camaros, Chevy has finally got its act together and produced what would arguably be called the ultimate Camaro in their 5th Generation Camaro lineup.

Borrowing on past styles, the “retro-Fitted and Retro-Styles 2010 looks like it belongs in todays modern world, yet still has the distinct charm of years gone by when style actually meant something. Except of course the sad period in the 80′s, but hey, everyone makes mistakes, including Chevrolet. But not anymore.

Forza 3 fans will not be disappointed, as not only do they get one of the older classics, the 1979 Camaro Z28 Classic Muscle Car, they now get their collective backsides nestled in the latest iteration, the 2010 SS Camaro sporting all the goodies the SS model supplies, along with its cool looks and futuristic curvy lines.

In Forza 3 you’ll be able to trick this beauty out in whatever colour combinations you may wish to, as well as do a few things under the hood, suspension and even wheel/tyre combinations. But hey, why spoil what is arguably the ultimate Camaro but butchering it and trying to make someting out of it that it was never meant to be.

Leave the perfect thing of beauty as is. Sure, make it look purdy’ and then tweak the suspension, but appart from that, this 6 ltr monster really needs very little to make it any more impressive.

These things are no slouches, and can turn the quarter mile in just 13 secs, run from 0-60 in 5 seconds, and pull up tree stumps at incredable speed. Okay, the last bit I made up, but with the  torque it produces, it very well could do.

One thing OXCGN wants to do is educate. Educate the younger and newer gamers into a game genre that is basically being re-defined. Giving you the digital racer the most opportunities that any racing car game has ever done in the past, allowing you to construct and drive many of the world best cars.

So we continue giving you the inside-guff on the variuous cars being presented, and least of all, this wonderful ride from Chevrolet.

Some basic history for you that will help you understand it’s origins, as well as see how the model has gone full circle to the original retro sytling it was originally famous for. That is of course, before it went terribly wrong in the late 90′s early 20′s – yuk . . shudders . . forces images out of my mind . . ohh dear.

Now where was I, oh year, so rude of me, so here are some historical facts on the birth and life of “The Camaro”.

First Generation (1967-1970)

Stats and full details from Edmunds Chevy History FIles

'69 Camaro Convertible

The basic engineering of the Camaro was a unibody structure from the windshield and firewall back, with a separate steel rail subframe for everything up front. Double A-arms made up the independent front suspension while the solid rear axle was suspended by semi-elliptical leaf springs.

As was typical of standard-equipped vehicles at the time, braking was by four drums, the steering was slow and manual, and Chevy’s rugged 230-cubic-inch straight six poked out an optimistically rated 140 horsepower while twisting a three-speed manual transmission.

The base $2,466 ’67 Camaro sport coupe was lean and aggressive, as was the convertible. Adding substance to that appearance was done either by picking or combining individual options or trim packages called RS and SS.

Buyers could opt for a larger 250-inch version of the six making 155 horsepower, a 210-horsepower 327-cubic-inch small-block V8 fed by a two-barrel carb, that same V8 with a four-barrel carb and a higher compression ratio was rated at 275 horsepower, or two versions of the 396-cubic-inch big-block V8 making either 325 or 375 horsepower.

Those engines could be lashed to a series of wide- or short-ratio three- or four-speed manual transmissions, or one of two automatics: the slushy two-speed Powerglide or outstanding three-speed Turbobydramatic.”

Stats and full details from Edmunds Chevy History FIles

Second Generation (1970½-1981)

'71 Camaro Coupe

“Though it didn’t make it to market until February of 1970, the second-generation 1970½ Camaro would be in production 12 years. The second-generation Camaro’s styling was inspired by Ferrari and was also bigger, heavier and no longer available as a convertible. And as the 1970s progressed, it would grow less powerful, succumbing to the pressures of tightening emissions regulations and a fuel crisis.

Still based on the Nova, the new Camaro was engineered much like its predecessor in that it still used a unibody structure with a front subframe, leaf springs in the back and A-arms up front for suspension. Those A-arms were freshly designed and the steering gear moved from the back to the front of the front axle, but otherwise the basic mechanical pieces were familiar.

'77 Camaro Z28

Also familiar were most of the engines. The 155-horsepower 250-cubic-inch six was now the Camaro’s base engine, followed by the who-cares 200-horsepower 307, the lowliest of V8 offerings.

A 250-horsepower two-barrel 350 effectively replaced the 327. Order the SS package and the 350 earned a four-barrel carb and additional compression to reach 300 horsepower. Moreover, SS buyers could pay even more and get a 350- or 375-horsepower 396 big-block V8.”

Stats and full details from Edmunds Chevy History FIles

Third Generation (1982-1992)

'83 Camaro Coupe

“Third-generation Camaros were the first built without front subframes or leaf-spring rear suspensions. Now the front end was held up with a modified MacPherson strut system, and the hind end relied on a long torque arm and coil springs.

These were also the first Camaros with factory fuel injection, four-speed automatic transmissions, five-speed manual transmissions, four-cylinder engines, 16-inch wheels and hatchback bodies. In January 1982, the Camaro was, for the first time since 1967, truly all-new and slightly smaller.

But the 1982 engine selection was hardly scintillating. Base sport coupes started with a 90-horsepower version of GM’s lethargic 2.5-liter “Iron Duke” four and could be optioned up to a 112-horse 2.8-liter V6 (base engine in the Berlinetta) or a four-barrel carbureted 5.0-liter (305-cubic-inch) small-block V8 rated at 145 horsepower. That V8 was the Z28′s base powerplant; buyers could opt for a Z28 “Cross-Fire Injection” (throttle body-injected) version producing 165 horsepower. The carbureted V8 could be had with either a three-speed automatic or four-speed manual, but the injected engine was automatic only.

A Camaro paced the Indianapolis 500 again in 1982, and the silver and blue replicas of that car are probably the most attractive of the ’82s. However, the T-top Z28 that actually paced the Memorial Day classic that year used a highly modified 350 (5.7-liter) V8 for motivation that wasn’t available to the general public. Kind of sad, really.

The three-tier Camaro lineup continued into 1983 with minimal visual differences. However the Z28 got a nice power bump with the introduction of the “L69″ engine option. With a Corvette-spec camshaft, revised exhaust and a healthy four-barrel carb, the 5.0-liter L69 “H.O.” V8 was rated at 190 horsepower and could be backed by a new five-speed manual transmission.”

Stats and full details from Edmunds Chevy History FIles

Fourth Generation (1993-2002)

'02 Camaro Rag-Top

“While the 1993 fourth-generation Camaro was very much new, it was shy of all-new; much of the floor stamping and all of the rear suspension was shared with the third-generation car. But with plastic front fenders, a new short-arm/long-arm front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and a sleek new profile, the ’93 was new enough.

For ’93, the Camaro lineup was pared to two models: base sport coupe powered by a 160-horsepower 3.4-liter version of GM’s V6 and the Z28 with the Corvette’s 5.7-liter LT1 small-block V8 underrated at 275 horsepower. Once again, the convertible was gone.

The black-roofed (no matter what the body color) ’93 Z28 was a stunner. The LT1 was easily the most powerful small-block installed in the Camaro since its namesake, the 1970 LT-1, and, considering the move from gross to net power ratings, probably even more powerful than that legend.

Behind it was either a four-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission and 16-inch wheels and tires; and four-wheel antilock disc brakes were standard.

'02 Camaro Hard-Top

With Z28 prices starting under $17,000, the value was just amazing. The most desirable ’93? Probably the black Z28 replicas of that year’s Indy 500 pace car. These replicas were identical to the actual pace car which, in stark contrast to the ’82, led the race with no mechanical changes.

As expected, the convertible Camaro returned with the 1994 model year. Designed and built by GM at the St. Therese, Quebec, plant where all F-cars were assembled, the ’94 ragtop’s chassis was significantly stiffer than the previous convertible’s. Otherwise it’s almost impossible to tell a ’94 coupe from a ’93 unless one opens up the automatic transmission and finds that it is the electronically controlled version of the 4L60″.

Stats and full details from Edmunds Chevy History FIles

Fifth Generation (2010-Present)

2010 Camaro SS Hard Top

“After eight years of flying the Chevy flag at half-mast, Camaro enthusiasts had their prayers answered when Chevrolet brought back its road burner for 2010. Initially available only as a coupe in base LS, midlevel LT and V8-powered SS models, this is without a doubt the best Camaro to date.

The retro styling borrows shamelessly from the 1969 Camaro, down to the cowl-induction-style hood, Coke bottle profile, cross-hatch grille and rear-quarter gills. Yet it’s not a complete knock-off, as the 2010 has a huskier stance and is noticeably thicker in the rear haunches.

The cockpit is mostly modern, with a few old-school touches thrown in such as a quartet of gauges located down low in front of the gearshifter. The latter isn’t exactly an ergonomic success, but they pay homage to the optional setup of the late ’60s. The available RS package (essentially an appearance package) adds bigger (20-inch) wheels, a rear spoiler, HID headlights and smoked taillights.

Unlike before, getting a V6 Camaro doesn’t mean “plenty of show but not so much go.” The LS and LT come packing 304 hp via a direct-injected, 3.6-liter V6. It also has a six-speed manual transmission (six-speed automatic optional), disc brakes all around, an independent rear suspension (a Camaro first) and 18-inch wheels.

At a base price of around $23,000, the entry-level Camaro offers a heavy dose of performance that’s light on the wallet. With 0-to-60 and quarter-mile times of 6.0 and 14.2 seconds, respectively, these are seriously rapid cars.

The big-dog SS has a 6.2-liter V8 with either 426 hp (with six-speed manual) or 400 hp (with six-speed automatic) as well as meatier Brembo disc brakes.

With the ability to leap to 60 mph in 5 seconds and tear down the quarter-mile in 13 seconds flat, the SS will show its taillights to virtually any Camaro that came before, perhaps even the super rare ZL-1 of 1969. And in terms of unraveling a twisty road, the latest Camaro has no peer with its elders, thanks to a finely balanced and tuned chassis, the aforementioned independent rear end and quick, communicative steering.”

Stats and full details from Edmunds Chevy History FIles

Real World Counterpart

A thing of pure beauty

2007 Concept Z8 Camaro which the 2010 is modeled from

I wonder what lays ahead for tomorrow’s Forza 3 Vehicle History Lesson . . Stay tuned.

More Forza 3 news

Make sure you check out the great Fantec Sports Wheels and the set that OXCGN will have up for grabs later on when Forza 3 arrives in October 23rd (Aust Release date) . . . as well as other OXCGN Forza 3 pages of info on the game.

• Forza 3 October Info #12 Remington #8 Cadillac CTS-V Razor Sharp
• Forza 3 October Info #11 Curvaceous Chevy Camaro SS
• Forza 3 250 Gig Xbox 360 Bundle Official – OXCGN News & Special Offer
• Forza 3 October Info #10 Classic American Muscle ’79 Z28
  
• Forza 3 October Info #9 Saleen S331 Supercharged Supercab
  
• Forza 3 October Info #8 Build Your Own Chevy-Dodge-Ford
• Forza 3 October Info #7 Sleek, Sexy & Swift 2009 Scriocco GT
  
• Forza 3 October Info #6 – Complete car listing
  
• Forza 3 October Info #5 Primetimes’s #11 Viper R3 Class
  
• Forza 3 October Info #4 2006 Slippery Evo & HKS Time-Attack Mitshubishi
  
• Forza 3 October Info #3 Black Beast – #41 Gulf F1 Mc Laren GTR
  
• Forza October Info #2 Mad Mazda Lola #16 Comin’ Through
  
• Forza October Info #1 Here Comes The BMW E34 Z4 Coupe
• Forza 3 September Info #12 Bell Motor’s #11 DB9 Aston Martin R2 Coupe
• Forza 3 September Info #11 Presenting The Koenigsegg CGT
• Forza 3 September Info #10 Skyline Driftin’ Madness
• Forza 3 September Info #9 Fugimi Kaido Returns
• Forza 3 September Info #8 2nd DLC Pack – Ferrari’s & 2010 Italia 458
  
• Forza 3 September Info #7 More Ferrari Mayhem
  
• Forza 3 September Info #6 250 gig Forza 360? & Farrari Madness
  
• Forza 3 September Info #5 Forza Dyno Tunes Ford GT400
  
• Forza 3 September Info #4 Bugatti Veyron & Avatar Cloths
  
• Forza 3 September Info #3 Media Update – V8 Supercars Event Slideshows
• Forza 3 September Info #1 & 2 V8 Supercars Officially Announced
  
• Forza 3’s V8 Supercars In-game screen & info V8 Supercar Image found
  
• Forza 3 August Info #5 Video Walkthroughs
  
• Forza 3 August Info #4 Forza Dreams, Gadget Show & Puma
  
• Forza 3 August Info #3 LE Information
• Forza 3 August Info #1 & 2 Cars, cars & more cars & Le Mans
  
• Forza 3 coming in 2009 OXCGN’s Official Major Forza 3 Page
  
• Forza 3 June info E3 Video Interviewwith Developer
  
• Forza 3 June-July Info screens & vids
• Official Australian Xbox Forza 3 site game info
• Fantec Porsche 911 Turbo Wheel for Forza 3
• Fantec Wheel Stand and Turbo Wheel kit up for grabs – info
• OXCGN’s Forza 3 on its way in 2009
• OXCGN confirms Aussie cars in Forza 3
• Fantec Prosche 911 Wheel for Forza 3
• Forza 3 Official – Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

©2009 Grant Smythe – OXCGN

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