Chevrolet Camaro (1993)

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Chevrolet
Chevrolet Camaro Coupé (1993-1998)
Chevrolet Camaro Coupé (1993-1998)
Camaro
Production period: 1993-2002
Class : Sports car
Body versions : Coupé , convertible
Engines:
Petrol engines : 3.4-5.7 liters
(109-235 kW)
Length: 4907 mm
Width: 1882 mm
Height: 1303-1320 mm
Wheelbase : 2565 mm
Empty weight : 1475-1630 kg
Previous model Chevrolet Camaro (1982)
successor Chevrolet Camaro (2009)

The Chevrolet Camaro , built from the beginning of 1993, is the fourth generation of the model. The model was offered in Europe from 1997 and was available with a 3.8-liter V6 engine with a maximum output of 142 kW (193 hp) as a coupé and convertible. The 5.7-liter V8 engine as the Z28 with a maximum output of 212 kW (288 hp) was sold in Germany exclusively as a coupé with T-tops (two removable glass roof halves).

In August 2002, the production of the fourth generation was stopped due to ever decreasing sales figures. Another reason can be found in the outdated F-Body platform. The floor pan was no longer up-to-date and should have been redesigned from scratch. Since GM saw no market, the Camaros and its sister model Pontiac Firebird were discontinued .

Only after a break of almost seven years did GM resume production of the series with the fifth generation in the spring of 2009.

Model history

Fourth generation model logo

Concept vehicle 1989

In 1989, a concept vehicle called the Chevrolet California Camaro IROC-Z was shown at the LA Auto Show , which shared some design elements with the later production vehicle, but had front-wheel drive .

1993

The fourth generation was introduced in early 1993 and was controversial. The striking angular exterior of the Camaro has been adapted to the zeitgeist and smoothed, the outer skin has been completely redesigned. Under the surface, you didn't go that far, for example the entire rear axle - albeit slightly revised - was taken over from the third generation. The windshield was adjusted at a multiple of 68 °. Many add-on parts were made of a composite material , only the bonnet and the rear side walls were made of sheet steel. The front suspension consisted of wishbones of different lengths; the well-known multi-link rear axle was used at the rear . The removable roof halves cost an additional $ 895.

With the launch of the new Camaro, two variants of the car were offered:

  • the basic version with a 3.4-liter V6 engine and a maximum output of 160 SAE-HP / 119  kW (162  PS ). In Germany, the engine was specified with 109 kW (148 PS), as there was a limit of 110 kW (150 PS) for motor vehicle insurance at that time. The basic version was offered in the US for $ 13,889.
  • the Z28 with the Corvette's 5.7-liter V8 (Small Block, LT1) and a maximum output of 275 SAE-HP / 205 kW (279 hp). For the Z28, purchases had to reach at least $ 17,269 over the counter .

Both models were only available as a coupé with a 4- speed automatic transmission , here the Turbo-Hydra-Matic transmission 4L60 was used or 5-speed (V6 models) or the T-56 6-speed manual transmission from Borg- Warner (V8 models). If the buyer crossed the Z28 in the order list, he also received 4-disc brakes and an anti-lock braking system , 16x8 aluminum wheels with Goodyear GA P235 / 55R16 tires. Goodyear GS-C tires with a speed index "Z" then cost another $ 144 extra. If the customer kept the standard tires, the maximum speed was limited to 108 mph (174 km / h).

In tests of the Z28 by Car & Driver and Motor Trend magazines , the car accelerated from 0 to approx. 100 km / h in 5.3 seconds and reached a top speed of 151 mph (243 km / h). At the end of the test it was noted: "biggest bang for the bucks" (Eng. "Biggest blow for the money").

1994

The convertible was added to the coupé and the automatic transmission 4L60E (previously 4L60 or TH700) received electronic control. Further changes in the model year concerned the LT1 engine, which received sequential fuel injection. All Camaros received a height-adjustable steering wheel, an anti-theft alarm system called Pass Key II and very important in the USA: cup holders. Chevrolet built 112,539 coupes and 7,260 convertibles.

1995

A first small extension with the optional traction control for the Z28. For the basic version, there was also a V6 engine with 3.8 l displacement and a maximum output of 200 SAE-HP or 149 kW (203 PS) as an option.

1996

It brought the end of the small 3.4-liter engine; the 3.8-liter engine became standard. The maximum output of the large V8 engine has been increased to 280 hp or 209 kW (284 hp).

The offered only in the US top model bears the name SS derived from S uper- S port, and was available as a coupe and convertible. However, these models were not manufactured by General Motors , but by SLP Engineering, an independent tuner and refiner from Red Bank, New Jersey, comparable to M-GmbH at BMW or AMG at Mercedes-Benz . The model, in addition to visual enhancements altered exhaust system and Ram Air had and came up with a maximum power of 228 kW (310 hp) at 5000 min -1 at a compression ratio of 10.4: 1. It was equipped with aluminum Corvette ZR1-style 17x9 wheels. The hood was made of plastic and had a functioning air scoop.

1997

Chevrolet celebrated the 30th birthday of the Camaro with a special model, which was only available for the Z28, in white color and orange stripes, reminiscent of the 1969 Indy Pace Car . It also had white five-spoke aluminum wheels. The well-known 5.7 liter V8 was used as the engine. This made 210 kW (286 hp) at 5200 min -1 . A special Camaro SS Z28 was also available, which had the Corvette's 224 kW (305 PS) LT1. The car could only be ordered from selected dealers. It also had a special sports exhaust, a Hurst shift linkage and a special sports suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers.

SLP brought a special model of the SS onto the market, limited to 106 vehicles, which was equipped with the LT4 engine of the 1996 Corvette C4 and had a maximum output of 246 kW (334 hp). Only the appearance of the taillights was changed and the dashboard was redesigned. Official sales of the Camaro by GM began in Germany - it replaced the Pontiac Firebird, which had previously been for sale .

1998

The F-platform of the Camaro and Firebird was past its prime and the models were becoming less popular. Nevertheless, the Camaro was extensively revised and so a renewed Camaro came onto the market in the summer of 1998. The RS equipment was no longer available. The basis was a V6, only the Z28 received a V8 engine.

The front was redesigned and new round composite headlights replaced the previous angular recessed small versions, bumpers and bonnet.

The Z28 got the engine of the Corvette C5 (LS1) - an aluminum engine that had a maximum of 212 kW (288 hp) in Germany. The reason for this is a different exhaust system in order to be able to comply with German noise regulations. In the USA, however, the Z28 was sold with a maximum of 305 SAE-HP or 228 kW (310 PS).

Test results from HotRod magazine from May 1998 showed, however, that the LS1 in vehicles on the GM-F platform (with official 305 hp) has an absolutely identical performance with the LS1 engine for the GM-Y platform of the Corvette C5 with the official ones 257 kW (349 hp). The top model of the Camaro is the "SS" with an official 235 kW (320 PS), which could be ordered under the order code (RPO) WU8. This also included a rear spoiler and 17 inch wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 tires in the dimensions P275 / 40ZR17.

There was also a new differential from Zexel Torsen in 1998 instead of the previous one from Auburn. From 1998 GM donated the F-platform models also a revised or larger dimensioned and more stable braking system. Only 43,360 coupés and 3,858 convertibles were built, including 2,397 coupes and 478 " ragtops " with the SS package.

1999

The year brought an electronically controlled throttle valve for the V6 engine , as well as a slightly larger tank that was now made of plastic instead of metal. From now on there was also an ABS / ASR query directly on the wheels (two sensors) and no longer on the differential (one sensor) or the ABS now worked with four instead of the previous three channels.

The Z28 SS received a new LS1 V8 engine with 5,670 cm³ (346 cui) displacement and 16 valves, it consisted of an aluminum engine block and cylinder heads. The engine was equipped with fuel injection.

2000

Only minor changes were made, switches to operate the radio were integrated into the steering wheel. The sales figures collapsed.

2001

The end of the Camaro was looming, with only 29,009 cars sold that year. The basis was the 3.8 liter V6 engine 147 kW (200 hp) introduced in 1996. Small changes were redesigned 16-inch wheels, a different rim color and the LS1 engine in the Z28 now officially developed 228 kW (310 hp). GM built the intake manifold of the LS6 engine in all LS1 engines in all models, which brought a noticeable increase in performance.

2002

The last year of production and the changes were limited. A new cooler for the power steering for the Z28 and the sound system in the V6 engine has been overhauled. The 35th anniversary was celebrated again with a special edition that included an optical upgrade of the SS models.

The first Camaro produced in 2002, a vehicle with the equipment code Z4C and the last (manufactured on September 27, 2002) remained in the collection of General Motors.

The penultimate Camaro - a red Z28 - was auctioned off for charity for $ 71,500.

  • Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupé (1994-1998)

  • Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Convertible (1994-1998)

  • Chevrolet Camaro Coupé (1998–2002) as 9C1 Police Car B4C FHP

  • Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible 35th Anniversary (2002)

Provisional end and successor model

The end of production of the Camaro came as a surprise after 35 years. The reason given by GM management for the poor sales is only convincing at first glance.

The name Camaro had one of the highest levels of awareness of the models produced by GM in the USA , and sales were over 100,000 units by the mid-1990s. Then there was a shift in development and the focus of production to SUVs , and advertising for the Camaro was largely discontinued. Another point was the age of the platform (F platform) at the time. Developed further in over 20 years, it could no longer meet the upcoming security requirements. In particular, the collision protection in the rear and in the sides would have required extensive revision, which would hardly have differed from a new development.

Another obstacle was the complicated situation at the only production site in Sainte-Thérèse . Designed to produce over 200,000 cars a year, the factory was already unprofitable in the 1990s. Loans were granted through contracts with the province of Québec and the State of Canada , in return GM undertook to maintain production and a promise was made that the Sainte-Thérèse site would take over the production of the Camaro exclusively.

Since the contracts ran until 2017, GM was bound by the commitments. The situation was only neutralized when the site was dismantled and the space was sold.

In 2009 the fifth generation of the Camaro came onto the market.

The Camaro in the film

In the film " The Bride Who Doesn't Dare ", the male protagonist Ike Graham (played by Richard Gere ) drives a silver-gray Camaro Cabriolet of the 4th generation from 1998.

Web links

Commons : Chevrolet Camaro (1993)  - Collection of Pictures, Videos and Audio Files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Owen Ready: Concept Car of the Week: Chevrolet California Camaro IROC-Z (1989) - Car Design News. In: cardesignnews.com. November 13, 2015, accessed November 2, 2018 .
  2. ↑ 1989 Chevrolet California IROC Camaro Concept Car Specifications - HowStuffWorks. In: auto.howstuffworks.com. P. 4 , accessed on November 2, 2018 (English).
  3. ↑ Jim Mateja: 1993 Chevrolet Camaro - chicagotribune.com Review - Cars.com. In: cars.com. January 25, 1993, accessed November 2, 2018 .
  4. ^ Paul Dean: 1993 Chevrolet Camaro - Los Angeles Times Review - Cars.com. In: cars.com. January 8, 1993, accessed November 2, 2018 .
  5. ↑ 1993 Chevrolet (USA) Camaro 4gen / I Base Coupe full range specs. In: automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018 .
  6. ↑ 1993 Chevrolet (USA) Camaro 4gen / I Z28 Coupe full range specs. In: automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018 .
  7. ↑ a b c d e John Gunnell: Standard guide to American muscle cars: (a supercar source book, 1960-2005) . Ed .: kp books. 4th edition. KP Books, 2005, ISBN 0-87349-988-3 (English).
  8. ↑ Jim Mateja: 1994 Chevrolet Camaro - chicagotribune.com Review - Cars.com. In: cars.com. April 17, 1994, accessed November 2, 2018 .
  9. ↑ Marlan Davis: What's Needed to Install a 700-R4 or 4L60E Trans Behind Carbureted 350? - Hot Rod Network. In: hotrod.com. October 15, 2012, Retrieved November 2, 2018 (American English).
  10. ↑ a b 1996 Camaro. In: media.gm.ca. 1996, accessed November 2, 2018 .
  11. ↑ Barry Kluczyk: SLP Camaro SS Appreciation - Super Chevy Magazine. In: superchevy.com. December 1, 2000, accessed November 2, 2018 .
  12. ↑ 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS (since mid-year 1995 for North America) specs review. In: automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018 .
  13. ↑ David Newhardt: The Complete Book of Chevrolet Camaro, 2nd Edition: Every Model Since 1967 . Motorbooks, 2017, ISBN 978-0-7603-5336-3 , pp. 215– ( google.com [accessed November 2, 2018]).
  14. ↑ Miles Cook: LT4 Encore - Hot Rod Network. In: hotrod.com. March 1, 1997, Retrieved November 2, 2018 (American English).
  15. ↑ Tony Swan: 1998 Chevrolet Camaro - Detroit Newspapers Review - Cars.com. In: cars.com. January 15, 1996, accessed November 2, 2018 .
  16. ↑ 1998 Chevrolet Camaro SS History, Pictures, Value, Auction Sales, Research and News. In: conceptcarz.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018 .
  17. ↑ Jeff Koch: 1998 & 1969 Chevy Camaros - Hot Rod Network. In: hotrod.com. September 1, 1998, accessed on November 2, 2018 (American English, paragraph “On the Dyno” ff.).
  18. ↑ Joseph Potak: 1993-2002 Camaro and Firebird Performance Handbook . MotorBooks International, ISBN 978-1-61060-798-8 , pp. 14- ( google.com ).
  19. ^ Andrew Nussbaum: GM EFI Magazine. In: gm-efi.com. April 15, 2016, Retrieved November 2, 2018 (American English).
  20. ^ CNN Newsnight Transcripts , Sep. 27, 2002
  21. ↑ DEBI DOMBY: Five models, including legendary Camaro and Firebird, reach end of line - Autoweek. In: autoweek.com. September 1, 2002, accessed November 2, 2018 .
  22. ↑ Last Camaro Sold for $ 71,500 September 3, 2002
  23. ↑ Barry Kluczyk: General Motors Assembly Plant - From Quebec With Love. In: superchevy.com. August 1, 2001, accessed November 2, 2018 .
  24. ↑ a b Bertrand Marotte: Quebec GM plans closing the end of an era - The Globe and Mail. In: theglobeandmail.com. August 24, 2002, Retrieved November 2, 2018 (Canadian English).
  25. ↑ Chevrolet Camaro in "Runaway Bride". Retrieved November 2, 2019 .