SEMA: Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition

Chevrolet took the wraps off the Camaro Hot Wheels Edition sports car in Las Vegas overnight, laying claim to the world's first full sized, driveable Hot Wheels motor vehicle.

Presented at the world's biggest aftermarket car tuning show, SEMA, the Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition will go on sale in the United States from early 2013 in both coupe and convertible body styles, sporting large alloy wheels, ground hugging body work and Hot Wheels flame badging.

Chris Perry, Vice President of Chevrolet Marketing, said production of the new model will begin in the first quarter of 2013, and will give new meaning to the term 'toy car'.

"Millions of us grew up playing with Hot Wheels. Offering a special production model of the Camaro Hot Wheels is an opportunity to bring those memories to life, for kids of all ages," he said.

Like the toy cars it is based on, the Camaro Hot Wheels Edition will be a limited run car, with the General Motors brand stating: "when they’re gone, they’re gone". Ironically, one of the most valuable toys in the Hot Wheels catalogue is the original 1968 Camaro 1:64-scale car, the full-sized version of which was also on display at SEMA.

It's not the first time Hot Wheels has 'gone large', having performed several stunts in custom-made race cars, such as this insane double loop world record.

Based on the Chevy Camaro coupe, the bowtie-brand's hero car, the Hot Wheels Edition aims to mimic the toy car's look with a bold metallic Kinetic Blue paintjob and red-lined five-spoke 21-inch alloy wheels. Chevrolet reckons the car "is instantly recognisable as a Hot Wheels."

Offered with one V6 and two V8 engines, the Hot Wheels Camaro is fitted with a number of body kit parts from the high performance Camaro ZL1 model, including the upper grille and rear spoiler. Other cosmetic upgrades include a front splitter, Hot Wheels grille and decklid badges, side skirts, two-tone matt hood graphics and fender flames.

Hot Wheels vice president of creative, Felix Holst, was also chuffed with the new car: "It’s been nearly 20 years since I started designing cars for Hot Wheels and I have yet to drive one home. Personally, I can’t wait to open the doors and see the Hot Wheels Camaro sitting in the garage."

Chevrolet has also spent time and effort creating a unique interior for the world's first full-sized Hot Wheels production car, with lots of leather the proviso. Black leather is everywhere, finished with red and black stitching, while the Hot Wheels logo adorns the seats and door scuff plates, and flames are visible on the door inserts.

The cars also get the MyLink infotainment system, with Pandora internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio, which are scheduled to be introduced in Australia on the Holden Barina in early 2013.

Originally developed in Australia by Holden, the Chevrolet Camaro is fitted with engines that will be familiar to Holden Commodore and HSV drivers - 3.6-litre V6 and 6.2-litre V8. Entry-level versions of the Camaro Hot Wheels Edition are packaged with 3.6-litre V6 engines producing 237kW, while the SS models are offered with a pair of V8 engines, the 298kW/556Nm L99 and 318kW/569Nm LS3 variants.

Buyers who opt for the six-speed manual V8 versions can specify a vacuum-operated dual-mode exhaust system, which "provides a quieter driving experience at low engine speeds and a more aggressive sound during hard acceleration" says Chevrolet.

The only thing you don't get with the Hot Wheels Camaro is the bright orange race track set.

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