SEMA 2009: Jay Leno Camaro

Jay Leno is the consummate car guy who has the ultimate car guy collection. Granted, he has the means that most of us can only dream about, but his passion for cars is well respected around these parts.

So what, exactly, do you add to the man's collection? Well Chevrolet has built him his very own special Camaro. And surprisingly, it's a V6. A V6 with twin turbochargers.

The 3.6L direct injected V6 is the same engine you will find in plain Jane LS and LT models, but thanks to the turbos puts out the same 425 hp that it's SS V8 brethren does. And it does it without losing any fuel economy.

Other upgrades include the requisite Brembo brakes, a Pedders coil-over kit, and a bodykit that includes a new rear diffuser as well as a revised front fascia and hood with additional venting for brakes and engine.

Could this be Chevy's answer to the EcoBoost Mustang? Only time will tell.

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The Jay Leno Camaro

Powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6L direct injected V-6 that is standard in Camaro LS and LT models, Leno's Camaro blends high performance with surprising efficiency in a racing-ready package. A pair of Turbonetics T-3 turbochargers blows through a custom air-to-air intercooler, force-feeding the engine about seven pounds of boost and lifting its horsepower level to about 425. That's about 40 percent greater than stock and in normal driving (when the turbochargers aren't making boost), there's virtually no penalty in fuel economy over the non-turbocharged 3.6L engine.

"Jay's Camaro offers style, performance and efficiency in a big way," said Dewar. "It delivers the power of a Camaro SS on demand, but with the fuel economy of a V-6."

Supporting upgrades for the turbo system include a larger-capacity Be-Kool radiator and a custom exhaust system, as well as a Centerforce-supplied clutch and pressure plate for the six-speed manual transmission. The tubing for the turbo system is powder-coated blue. The powertrain was designed to deliver consistent, controllable power for both the street and race track. In fact, road racing was a primary mission for the car during its development.

Additional vehicle also support its racing intent:

Brembo six-piston brake package
Pedders coil-over lowering kit
New front fascia with custom fog lamps and integral brake cooling vents
Air extractor-style hood
The exterior styling of Leno's car is the most radical of all the Camaro concepts at SEMA. The front fascia and hood are one-off creations, as are the unique upper and lower grilles and the ground effects package (including a rear diffuser). The heritage-inspired vent styling in front of the rear wheels has been replaced with functional brake cooling ducts.