Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible

Need a new hair dryer? No problem, General Motors has you covered as the Detroit company announced plans to lift the veil from atop its most powerful roofless production model ever, the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The new soft-top model shares its genes with the upcoming Camaro ZL1 Coupe and is scheduled to go on sale in late 2012. The highlight of the convertible is of course GM's 6.2-liter supercharged LSA V8 engine rated at 580 horsepower (432 kW) and 556 lb.-ft. of peak torque (754 Nm).

General Motors pointed out that's enough power "to exceed the output of 2+2 convertibles of many performance icons such as the Aston martin DB9 with 470HP and the Porsche 911 Turbo with 530HP".

“The Camaro ZL1 convertible will be one of the most powerful and most capable, convertibles available at any price,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top – or hit the gas.”

To compensate for the convertible's lack of a unifying roof structure, GM's engineers added tower-to-tower brace under the hood, a transmission support reinforcement brace, an underbody tunnel brace, a front “X” brace and stiffer cradle as well as rear underbody “V” braces.

The firm's engineers made some additional structural reinforcements to improve noise and vibration characteristics, and reduce ride and body motions. These include: a hydrofoamed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.

Like the Camaro ZL1 Coupe, the Convertible is equipped with a third-generation of GM's Magnetic Ride suspension, a Performance Traction Management system and a new body kit that includes a massive vented hood scoop.

Expect more details to be released closer to the LA Auto Show.

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