Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Gets 2011 Launch

THE LAST TIME we heard that the ragtop version of the fan-favourite Chevrolet Camaro was on track for a 2011 showroom debut, there appeared to be some uncertainty around the traps as to just how seriously we could all take that claim.

Now, General Motors US spokesperson Terry Rhadigan has confirmed that the Holden-engineered Camaro Convertible is in fact scheduled to hit showroom floors in early 2011, though a specific date or month wasn't offered.

"The convertible was never canceled. It was retimed. It will be the first quarter of 2011 for the start of production," Rhadigan said.

Rhadigan acknowledged that the original plan was for the convertible to debut early next year. With GM's current woes though, it's little surprise that the project has been pushed back a year.

"We always thought it would be one year after the coupe," he said, "instead we are going two."

Despite GM's ongoing battle to stay afloat - and now with bankruptcy looking to be a dead certainty - the main issue holding up the convertible project was that the supplier for the folding roof mechanism was looking likely to go under.

The latest news however is that the supplier has sorted itself out, and its agreement with GM is back in place. With that final hurdle out of the way, the Camaro Convertible is on its way.

According to Rhadigan, the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will debut with the same V6 and V8 engines currently offered with the coupe model.