GM Vice President, Ed Peper, introduces the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Camaro, one of four Camaro concepts, at the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Monday, 3 November, 2008. Image: Scott Wiemels/GM Communciations.

Dale Earnhardt Junior, NASCAR's most popular driver ('08 was the sixth year in a row that fans have voted Junior that honor), likes Camaros. In fact, while he drives the #88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet Impala SS on the track, his favorite streeter is a Pro Touring, ’72 Camaro with a GM Performance Parts LS crate engine in it, so the heritage-inspired 2010 appeals to him. GM Design Staff channeled Jr.'s Camaro "vision" and crafted a 2010 with a unique combination of style, capability and comfort.

All this performance stuff needs serious style, so Design Staff gave it a gray-over-white paint scheme, accented with an orange stripe separating the gray and white. The wheels, inspired by last year's Camaro Convertible Concept, have spoke center sections painted black to complement the body’s gray. Additional exterior details include: a custom grille, ground effects with rear diffuser from Chevy Accessories and an early-Camaro-style dovetail rear spoiler.

The interior is outfitted for performance and style with: custom-trimmed, leather-and-suede-covered seats with accent stitching and custom sill plates. The steering wheel, shift knob, door armrests and center console lid are leather, trimmed with accent stitching. Carbon-fiber instrument and door panel inserts are used along with racing-style aluminum pedals. The stock, auxiliary gauge cluster is upgraded with unique graphics.

           Lastly, the guy who owns Whiskey River, the best country western bar in Charlotte, is gonna want a killer sound system. Dale Jr. specified Chevy Accessories’ upgraded audio system for the Jr. Camaro: a Boston Acoustics speaker system along with special amps and subwoofers.

Camaro LS7 Concept

Designed to highlight the new Camaro's potential to be a weekend bracket racer, this exercise combines the power of a GM Performance Parts’ 427-cubic inch, LS7 crate engine and targeted bolt-on upgrades to deliver an experience reminiscent of the legendary COPO Camaros of the bygone Musclecar era. 

Made famous by Chevy dealers Don Yenko and Fred Gibb in the late 1960s, COPO ("Central Office Production Order") Camaros all had 427s in them, engines not normally available in a Camaro. The most famous of these were the COPO 9560s, all of which had the ZL-1, an aluminum, 427 cubic inch, Mark IV Big-Block. COPO 9560s came stripped of convenience options. After delivery, they were quickly outfitted with drag slicks and skinnys up front, safety equipment and other mods necessary for competition in the Super Stock-classes then trailered to the strip.

To get it to 550-hp, the LS7 crate motor has an aftermarket camshaft from GMPP along with headers and an air intake system, both of which will be available at the Camaro’s launch in early 2009. Because the stock LS7 uses a dry sump and there's no place, other than the interior, to put the tank in a Camaro; this concept is fitted with a wet-sump oiling system.

Backing the 427 is a production, Tremec 6060 six-speed manual modified with a Hurst shifter. The car also has a Brembo brake package, lower ride height, 20-inch wheels, a driveshaft loop and, for street use, a GM Performance Parts exhaust system.

The Camaro LS7 concept is painted Victory Red, with matte black accents on the hood and tail lamp panel. “LS7” logos are strategically placed to warn those in the know this Camaro means business when the Christmas tree starts down. It’s all business in the spartan interior, too, with base trim and few accessories to minimize weight for a quicker e.t.

Although the Camaro LS7 is a concept, its duplication by enthusiasts and racers is facilitated by GM Performance Parts’ LS7 crate engine. It's delivered, fully assembled, complete from intake manifold to oil pan. An oil reservoir for the standard dry sump system, or conversion to wet sump oiling and GM Performance Parts’ LS7 engine controller (part number 19166567) are all that’s necessary to get the engine running in an enthusiast’s project vehicle.

            Camaro GS Racecar Concept

 The most iconic cars in late-1960's SCCA Trans-Am road racing were the blue and yellow Camaros of Penske Racing. Mark Donohue, the dominant racer in the series, won championships in 1968 and 1969 driving those cars for Roger Penske.

With the assistance of GM’s High Performance Vehicle Operations, North Carolina-based Riley Technologies re-created the mystique of that standout Penske Camaro with a tribute that looks, sounds and drives like it’s ready to do battle with the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger at road race venues around the country. In fact, the heritage-inspired racer is more than concept, it's an early prototype for the Grand Am, Koni Challenge GS racing class. Racecars like the GS Concept are built by Riley Technologies for the 2009 Grand-Am season. In fact, this racecar has already logged many hours on the racetrack as Riley used it to set-up the chassis and powertrain.

The concept features a race-ready suspension, reinforced chassis and modified drivetrain which conforms to series rules. Riley started with a stock, body-in-white then continuously-welded all its seams. To that they added carbon fiber hood, trunk lid, doors and fenders. Under the hood, a stock LS3 V-8 engine sits on solid engine mounts and has headers along with a three-inch exhaust system and Coast Fab mufflers. Cooling on the race track is accomplished by a C&R racing radiator, upgraded engine oil cooler along with add-on trans and rear axle coolers.

Like Penske cars, the 2010 Camaro GS Concept wears a deep blue paint scheme, accented with yellow graphics, a yellow-painted interior and yellow race wheels.

This car was shown at SEMA just as it finished its last race track test, with the grime, brake dust and body imperfections commensurate with a day’s worth of testing.  It displays the bruises of competition and wears them like badges of honor.

           Camaro Black Concept

We saved the best for last. The coolest of these SEMA Camaros is known simply as the "Black" concept. Channeling to a little of the "Rat Rod" style, which developed several years ago in the West Coast street rod hobby, Black Camaro suggests a sinister-looking approach to street style. From its flat black hood and ground effects, to its black wheels and red-glowing HID headlamp halo rings, the Black is an understated, standout. Used on it were the following: Chevy Accessories ground effects package and rear diffuser, a customized grille with a darker finish, Camaro, RS tail lamps with dark-tinted lenses, color-keyed exterior badging, a deck spoiler of an SS, heavily-tinted glass, Chevy Accessories 21-inch wheels with a black finish and a Brembo four-wheel disc brake package.

           The slightly sinister ambience carries into the interior with: red LED instrument lighting and red ambient lighting in the footwells. In addition, there are "black chrome" trim accents, dark-finished shift knob, radio face, steering wheel ring, gauge trim and door handles. Custom sill plates and leather seats with grey accent stitching. Finishing out this Camaro concept is a Chevy Accessories’ premium audio upgrade package, along with MTX speakers.

           Under the hood of the Black Camaro is a production 3.6L V-6 that makes 303 horsepower. While a Chevy Accessories engine cover provides a suitable accent, the rest of the powertrain is a disappointment. While Black was the coolest-looking Camaro at SEMA; it's not the quickest. We think GM ought to have done more in the power department–perhaps a set of headers and a low restriction exhaust and maybe a set of more aggressive cams and a 100-shot of nitrous oxide, the Aisin six-speed manual and a 3.45 axle. Note to GM Performance Parts weenies: Don't forget the V6 cars!

            Audio and electronics – Take the Camaro’s technology to a higher level with upgraded audio and lighting systems, as well as remote starting. The upgraded audio system brings greater features and capability, while a peripheral device interface module allows iPods to play through the audio system. Remote starting brings the convenience of letting the vehicle heat up on a cold morning or cool down on a hot day. Also, Camaro’s accessory footwell and cupholder lighting kit delivers customizable, colored ambient lighting for a premium, high-tech interior appearance.

            Car covers – Protecting the Camaro from the elements and UV rays is easy with custom-contoured car covers. They are designed to fit the Camaro’s contours and are available in red or black – each with stylish, heritage-inspired black stripes.

             Exterior accessories – Create a unique look for your Camaro with a diverse lineup of exterior accessories, from a grille insert and a satin-nickel-finished fuel door to color-matched splash guards to a complete ground effects kit and a wing-style rear spoiler. The ground effects package and spoiler create a dramatic look for the Camaro, and comes in Metallic Grey which accents the car’s original color.

            Stripe kits – The 2010 Camaro can be accented with accessory stripe kits. They give a classic look and contemporary style. Available are: hockey stick-style, hood and hockey stick-style and rally-style stripes in a variety of colors.

Wheels and tires – The fifth-gen Camaro comes with a family of attractive, 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels, but enthusiasts can take it a step further with 21-inch wheels and performance tires. This wheel features a five-spoke center available in two finishes, black or machined-aluminum with black accents. They are offered in 8.5-inch widths for V-6 models; and 8.5-inch front and 9.5-inch rear widths for SSes. Center caps, chrome lug nuts and necessary tire pressure monitor sensors are available separately. For convenience, complete kits of wheels, tires, center caps, lug nuts and pressure sensors are available.

Performance parts – GM Performance Parts designers and engineers worked with the Camaro engineers to develop emissions-legal, bolt-on components that would enhance performance. They developed air box, header and exhaust kits, (all of which are 50-state legal and have CARB EO numbers when required), as well as short-throw shifters for manual-transmission applications and color-coordinated engine covers.

Air box kits include an open-element, performance air filter for lower restriction and a great-looking housing, with a chrome lid. They’re available for V-6 and V-8 engines. Exhaust kits upgrade the look and sound of the Camaro and are offered in quieter street-legal systems and off-road-only kits. Different applications are designed to work with or without the Camaro accessory ground effects package

Short-throw shifters provide a greater feeling of control and GMPP’s kits for both V-6 and V-8 models deliver shorter throws between gears. They carry the "Hurst" name, so they complement great performance with classic styling.

Engine Cover kits give Camaro’s V-6 and V-8 engines get a stylish upgrade. They match most exterior colors, allowing customers to complement or contrast the color to suit their style. They are easy to install and don’t interfere with oil fill or other common maintenance access points.

Bodies in White – GMPP will offer Camaro body-in-white packages starting in the first quarter of 2009. They list for $7,000 and include an assembled body structure, front fenders, hood, front valance/grille header panel, roof, doors, rear quarters, trunk lid and rear valance. The structure also includes floorpans and chassis rails.

For the racers who would strip down the entire car and replace most of the components with racing-spec parts, the body in white saves time and money. Drag racers, for example, won't have to worry about swapping out for a solid axle; they can just bolt one up and go.