MIMS: Camaro coming if you say so!

Want Holden to import the stunning Chevrolet Camaro when it goes on sale in the US during the first quarter of 2009? Then you better make a beeline to MIMS and tell them long and loud at the Holden stand.

GM Holden's centerpiece for MIMS, the Camaro is officially on display to illicit response from Australia car buyers to determine whether the Lion brand will import the two-door 2+2 V8-engine muscle car into Australia. 

And though CarPoint/Carsales' sources indicate the decision has already been made to add the car to the newly-formed local GM Premium Channel's product list, it can't hurt to get vocal and tell the boys and girls from GM if you're ready to buy.

The Camaro is built on the same platform as the VE Commodore (also making its MIMS debut in its various guises including the stunning new 'Morpheous' SS) but shares little if any componentry. It will be built in Canada when it officially goes into production late next year, but all the design and engineering work for the platform is currently underway at Holden's Fishermans Bend tech centre.

GM global design executive Tony Stolfo said Camaro's Australian debut was also a great opportunity to gauge the Australian motoring public's appetite for the iconic sports legend.

"We are very excited about helping style the look and developing the thrilling drive performance that are hallmarks of this iconic nameplate. We also want to see whether Australian buyers would want a Chevrolet Camaro in local dealerships. This motor show [MIMS]  is an excellent opportunity to put that appetite to the test."

The Camaro Concept features the latest generation of GM's small-block V8. The 6.0-litre LS2 engine features Active Fuel Management which shuts off four cylinders to save fuel when the engine is lightly loaded. It's expected Holden will debut AFM on its local V8 engines, perhaps as early as later this year 2007.

Also making its Melbourne debut, though to somewhat less fanfare was Holden's new Epica medium car (more here) and the new turbodiesel Captiva and Rodeo variants. Look out for reviews on this torque-rich all-road pairing soon.

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