Chevrolet's Camaro quartet on show at SEMA

The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas is in full swing this week and, true to form, there's an assortment of tarted-up Chevrolet Camaros on display.

However, this time Chevy is aiming to steal the thunder of the aftermarket tweakers by rolling out a quartet of in-house modded Camaros -- targeted at a diverse demographic of potential customers.

The bewinged Camaro SSX Track Car is undoubtedly the most radical of the lot and is designed to show how a Camaro SS can be transformed into a closed-course track car.

"The car expresses Camaro performance while also signalling Chevrolet's new commitment to developing and offering a portfolio of performance parts for racing enthusiasts," said Chevrolet marketing boss Chris Perry.

The Camaro SSX Track Car's accoutrements include a carbonfibre aero front splitter and adjustable rear wing, lightweight carbonfibre body panels, revised lower grille and unique brake cooling ducts.

Weight saving was one of the vehicle's key design criteria -- a goal achieved via its carbon body panels, as well as by ditching much of the production car's sound-deadening material, carpeting and rear seat.

Low-gloss Icy White Metallic exterior paint is contrasted with the carbon aero parts, door graphics/racing number and red details; and the competition-ready Camaro rolls on dedicated 20-inch track wheels and tyres.

The 6.2-litre LS3 V8 is fettled with a Chevrolet Performance Parts camshaft, cylinder heads and dry-sump oiling system, as well as by low-restriction air induction and exhaust systems. Meanwhile, stopping power is upped via six-piston calipers at the front, four-piston rear calipers and drilled and slotted rotors.

Inside, there's a suede-covered racing steering wheel and shifter, SCCA-approved roll cage and window net, racing driver's seat with five-point harness, racing pedals, a fire suppression system and video camera system mounted on the roll cage.

In contrast, the Red Flash Camaro SS Show Car is more about show than go, and its Red Jewel paintwork is accented with grey heritage stripes and grey-accented 21-inch wheels. The only mechanical tweaks are a Chevrolet Accessory air intake and exhaust kit.

"The Camaro Red Flash is the opposite of a 'sleeper' on the street," said lead designer Adam Barry. "From every angle, it looks and sounds like the high-performance sports car it is. It's a model for the enthusiast who doesn't want to hide his performance aspirations."

It also wears Chevrolet Accessory body-colour ground effects, high-wing rear spoiler with black-painted stanchions and other grey accents. A lowered suspension lends a more aggressive stance.

Inside, the Red Jewel features an Ebony leather-trimmed cabin with titanium stitching and red accents on the seats. There's also a custom steering wheel, racing-style pedals and red LED lighting for the door trim.

Also on show at Las Vegas is the XM/Accessory Appearance Package (worn by the blue car in the accompanying gallery), a production version of which will be offered from mid-2011.

"The XM Accessory Appearance Package is all about affordable style," said Chevrolet product marketing director Russ Clark. "Our intent was to create a special, customised model -- including 21-inch wheels -- that could be had for around $US30,000, a popular price point for today's Camaro buyer before they add accessories."

The XM Accessory Appearance Package is based on the Camaro 1LT model with the standard 3.6-litre direct injection V6 engine. It gains a rear spoiler, unique grille and Chevrolet Accessory 21-inch wheels.

Chevrolet also announced at SEMA that it will release a special-edition Camaro each year, called the Synergy Series, emphasising new approaches to accessory parts and customisation.

The Camaro Synergy Series car on show at SEMA will be offered to consumers in the first half of 2011 as a special-edition model, combining a mix of accessories not available on any other production model.

While the original Synergy was offered only in a single colour (Synergy Green) and with the six-cylinder engine, the 2011 edition will be offered in four colours -- Cyber Grey, Victory Red, Summit White and Black, and it will be available in 2SS (V8) and 2LT (V6) trims with the RS package.

Among its goodies list is a Chevrolet Accessory grille and ground effects package, Pedders lowering kit, 21-inch wheels, Brembo brake calipers in red (with 2SS only), a grey interior with red stitching on the seat, steering wheel, door panels, console lid, shifter boot, shift knob and headrest. It also scores a red instrument cluster and accent lighting.

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