Extreme Testing Verifies Top Quality for Camaro Convertible

INDIANAPOLIS, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — When the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
sets the pace for the 2011 Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, it will showcase a top
built to last a lifetime, operate worry-free and maintain the appearance of its
Coupe sibling.

To assure long-term durability, the convertible top underwent extensive testing
during development, being opened and closed more than 22,500 times – three times
more than would be expected in a typical 10 years of use. Some of those cycles
were performed in extreme conditions; temperatures ranging from minus-22 degrees
F to 170 degrees F and humidity of up to 95 percent.

Note to Editors: Video and photos are available with this release at the GM
media website,http://media.gm.com.

“This past winter we even had our engineers driving 80 of these convertibles
back and forth to work every day here in Michigan,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro
chief engineer. “They had to open and close the top five times each day no
matter what the weather was like.”

Every Camaro Convertible undergoes a water test as it completes assembly in
Oshawa, Ontario. In addition, vehicles are randomly chosen to undergo an
eight-minute water test at the assembly facility in Oshawa and at an identical
facility at the GM Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan. More than 7,200 gallons
of water are hurled at the car in a hurricane-like downpour at a pace of 900
gallons per minute.

Addressing another aspect of interior comfort, Camaro Convertible’s three-layer
top includes an acoustical liner made of rubber sandwiched between an acrylic
square weave outer fabric and an inner reinforcing cotton layer. Engineers use a
sophisticated human-ear mimicking device called the Aachen Head to measure noise
levels. According to recent GM road test data, the Camaro Convertible achieved a
better interior quietness acoustical rating than the Ford Mustang in interior
quietness.

“For many buyers, a Camaro Convertible can be a collector car, something they
might keep for generations. So we made sure the tops would retain their quality
for a long, long time,” said Oppenheiser. “There is great value in a convertible
with the original top.” Oppenheiser knows the needs for car collectors well. He
personally restored a 1969 Camaro Convertible several years ago.

Consistent with its coupe-like performance dynamics, the Camaro Convertible
offers the looks of the Camaro Coupe when the top is up. The five bow roof
design provides a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that retains
the sleek roofline of the coupe.

Unlike other convertible models in the segment, the Camaro top latches with a
single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Once
the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the
windows and activates the top, which completes its cycle in about 20 seconds.

To learn more about the extreme measures employed by Camaro Convertible
engineers to verify quality and durability, watch the Dept. 180 Camaro
Convertible video.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global
automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than
120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and
reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited
performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars
such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as
Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as
Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly
to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg
highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an
additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar
safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free
Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information
regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

SOURCE General Motors