HSV tune for Camaro?

Australian suspension tuning could be offered as an option for HSV’s ‘remanufactured’ Chevrolet Camaro as soon as the second half of 2020.

The Camaro launched here in 2018 and just updated in model year 2019 form as the naturally-aspirated 2SS and new supercharged V8 ZL1 currently retain their US suspension tune.

But HSV is investigating adding the option of local suspension tuning, although such a package won’t turn up in this calendar year.

HSV may also offer styling packs currently available for the Camaro in the USA. Engine performance tuning is a less likely route for it to follow.

“We are looking at it [suspension packs] in the background, but I don’t think it will be any time in the next 12 months,” said HSV managing director Tim Jackson.

“We want to make sure any additional cost that goes into it delivers a better outcome in unique Australian driving conditions.

“That takes time and money, it’s not just change a spring and away we go. There is a whole raft of things that interact; ESC, spring rates and dampers and so on.”

The Camaro 2SS would likely be the focus of any retunes, because it rides on a passive suspensions set-up, while the ZL1 has adjustable MRC dampers.

HSV has a long history of adding its own chassis developments into a base package. The Camaro – and the Silverado pick-up that is also converted from left-hand drive in Melbourne -- is a rare exception to that.

“We think Camaro’s a good car,” said Jackson. “If we come up with a solution that we think is significantly better then we will look to implement it.

“We will get back to it at some point.”

One handling option the ZL1 will get is track-oriented Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres. They are actually fitted to the cars when they arrive in Australia but are replaced here by less aggressive Continental Contisportcontact 5 rubber.

“We are going to offer them (the Goodyears) as an inexpensive track alternative … around $1000 for a full set,” said Jackson.

Wheels will be an additional cost.

Technical issues aren’t the only ones to consider for HSV. Out of respect to Chevrolet it would never replace the standard suspension tune of the Camaro. Hence its developments would be optional.

Jackson confirmed investigations into styling packs was currently underway.

“There’s quite a lot of options available off the shelf over in the US. One thing we are trying to do is make sure we bring them in at the right price because one of the issues is if we don’t have the right price on it the customer can buy it from the US.

“A lot of those accessories are GM performance accessories which the dealer or customer can fit themselves.”

Jackson said the availability of such styling packs discouraged HSV from involving parent Walkinshaw Group’s own design division in producing local add-ons.