Chevrolet Camaro Covertible, Z28 and 4 Cylinder Engine Delayed

After stirring a lot of interest when they  announced the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is available for purchase in the US, GM comes back on the subject and this time brings a somewhat sad news. The company decided, due to cash saving efforts, to postpone indefinitely  the Chevrolet Camaro convertible and Z28 high performance versions, Autonews reported.

The bad news doesn't end here. The difficult economic climate has also determined GM to delay plans for a four cylinder engine version for the Camaro. Still, company officials say this is only a delay and they do not plan to scrap the projects: "Neither one has been outright canceled," Terry Rhadigan, a Chevrolet spokesman said.

GM originally planned to release the convertible sometimes in 2010, with the Z28 versions (designed to rival Shelby GT500 and Dodge Challenger SRT8 muscle cars) to follow soon after. Now, according to Terry Rhadigan, the company will bring the convertible to the market in 2011.

As for the four cylinder engine, GM planned to use the 2.0l 260 horsepower found on the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. The engine was set aside for the moment also due to the decreasing gasoline price.

"We're looking at it. We don't have anything approved, but with gas $1.78 a gallon, we have to weigh where we put our poker chips," Gene Stefanyshyn, GM's vehicle line executive for performance cars said.

On the bright side, the 2010 Camaro is just out and the need for a convertible will come some time from now. Fans will have to make do with the 6.2l V8 powerplant, which develops 400 horsepower. The 2010 Camaro starts at $29,775 (for the LS) and goes as far as $34,180 for the 2SS version.