Hennessey HPE700 Chevy Camaro Convertible revealed

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible not only gives Camaro fans a top down toy, it also provides a new canvas for the aftermarket. While convertibles are not well known for their structural rigidity, they are known for their fun factor. And the fun factor promises to be off the scale when it comes to Hennessey's latest, the HPE700 Camaro convertible.

For 2011, the HPE will be available in both coupe and convertible, with a run of only 24 cars. In case you forgot, the HPE loses its LS3 V8 and gains an LS9 from a ZR1 Corvette. With a little tuning, the supercharged V8 produces 755 horsepower and 763 pound feet of torque. All that power is good for a 0-60 run of 3.3 seconds, and a quarter mile time of 10.9seconds at 130 miles per hour (for the hardtop).

Pricing is $132,500, and you can find all the specs and details in the Press Release below.



Press Release

LS9-Powered Camaro Goes Topless

New 2011 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro Gets Convertible Option and 755 Horsepower

SEALY, TEXAS – With the limited production run of Hennessey's 2010 HPE700 Camaro long since sold-out, the company has announced they will build another 24 units for the 2011 model year. This latest run of HPE700's will include the addition of the new convertible model (from Chevrolet) and an increase in power from its supercharged 6.2L LS9 V8 – the same engine found in the Corvette ZR1.

The 2011 HPE700 gets its additional power from revised boost levels and a more robust fuel system, delivering 755 bhp and 763 lb-ft of torque. This 30 horsepower increase over 2010 will also help move the convertible's extra weight, while the large 15 inch brakes from last year remain to bring it back to a stop quickly.

As the Camaro convertible arrives in showrooms in the spring of 2011, the 6-speed manual SS model will become available alongside its hardtop brethren to become the basis for the HPE700 LS9 Camaro transformation.

HPE founder and president, John Hennessey said, "We have already sold a several of our 2011 HPE700's in hardtop form, increasing the potential for the convertible LS9 Camaro to become an even rarer option than before". "I expect that we will sell all 24 units just as we did in 2010. However this time we will probably sell-out even sooner as the convertible option will certainly be attractive – especially with 755 horsepower".

In addition to the upgraded LS9 engine, the HPE700 also includes an adjustable coilover suspension, larger sway bars, HPE lightweight wheels, larger 15-inch brakes with 6-piston front calipers, stainless steel long tube headers, painted hockey stripe, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, CarbonAero™ carbon fiber body kit and more to complete the car's distinct look and performance characteristics.

As with the 2010 model year, the 2011 HPE700 LS9 Camaro will be limited to just 24 units, with no set allocation between coupe and convertible. Pricing for the complete HPE700 upgrade, including the base vehicle, is $132,500 and can be ordered directly through HPE or one of Hennessey's authorized Chevrolet dealers.

2011 Hennessey HPE700 LS9 Camaro Specifications

Power:
• 755 bhp @ 6,400 rpm
• 763 lb-ft Torque @ 3,200 rpm

Performance (Hardtop):
• 0 - 60 mph: 3.3 sec. *
• 1/4 mile: 10.9 @ 130 mph *
• Skidpad: 1.01 g
• 60 - 0 mph braking: 104 ft.
Note: * with optional 305/35-20 Nitto Drag Radial Tires

2011 HPE700 Camaro Includes:
• Base 2011 Camaro SS with 6-speed Manual Transmission (convertible or hardtop)
• LS9 6.2 Liter Supercharged Engine with Intercooler
• HPE Cold Air Induction System
• Supercharger Pulley Upgrade
• High-Flow Fuel Injectors
• Fuel System Upgrade
• Intercooler System Upgrade
• CarbonAero ™ Bodywork: Front Spoiler, Rear Bumper Diffuser & Side Rocker Panels
• Long Tube Stainless Steel Headers
• HPE Extreme Duty Clutch & Flywheel Upgrade
• HPE Race Shift Knob and Shifter Upgrade
• HPE Light Weight Alloy Wheels
• 20 x 10.5 inch (rear); 20 x 9.5 inch (front)
• Pirelli P-Zero Tires, 275/35-YR20 (front); 305/35-YR20 (rear)
• Brembo Front Brake Upgrade: 6-Piston Calipers with Light Weight 15 inch Cross-Drilled Rotors
• Brembo Rear Brake Upgrade: 4-Piston Calipers with 14 inch Light Weight Rotors
• KW / HPE Variant 3 Adjustable Coil-Over Suspension Upgrade
• KW / HPE Front & Rear Sway Bar Upgrades
• Painted Hockey Stick Side Stripe with LS9 logo
• Hennessey Embroidered Head Rests & Floor Mats
• Limited Edition HPE700 Dash Plaque & Hood Plaque
• HPE700 & Hennessey Logos Painted on Rear Deck Lid
• Hennessey Letter of Authenticity
• HPE700 buyers will also receive a 1-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports
Park – a 1/4 mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey's 30,000 square foot production
facility and showroom.

Final specs released for Shelby GT350 Mustang

Shelby has released the final specs on its reborn GT350 Mustang. The base package features 430hp, up just a little from the stock 5.0's 412. To this, you can add a Whipple supercharger that will boost the ponies up to 525. The "R" tuned version ups the ante all the way to 625 horsepower.

Every version of the GT350 features numerous upgrades to suspension, brakes, body styling, badges, and the requisite dash plaque to let you know you are driving something special.

Pricing for the conversion starts at $26,995 for the base model. Adding the Whipple will up the cost to $33,995. The R tune costs another $750 over the supercharged package. Check out all of the details in the press release below.

SHELBY AMERICAN RELEASES FINAL SPECS AND NEW 600+ HP OPTION FOR 2011 GT350
10/7/2010

• 2011 Shelby GT350 supercharge package has 525 HP; normally aspirated has 430 HP
• 624 horsepower optional
• All 2011 GT350s are built at the Las Vegas facility and documented in the official Shelby Registry


LAS VEGAS – October 7, 2010 – Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK) has released the official performance specs of the supercharged and normally aspirated post title packages for the Shelby GT350, as well as a new higher horsepower option for the 5.0 liter powered car. With up to 624 horsepower on tap via an optional "R" tune, the 2011 Shelby GT350 is one of the most powerful limited production cars in the world.

"Our goal was to build the ultimate small block muscle car," said John Luft, president of Shelby American. "The results show that the Shelby GT350 takes American performance to an entirely new level. In recent tests, the standard supercharged car hit 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds and ran the quarter in 12 seconds flat at 121.4 mph, all while generating 1.05g of lateral acceleration and stopping from 60 mph in only 107 feet. We believe the 'R' tuned GT350 will be even faster."

The normally aspirated GT350 is available in standard Ford Mustang GT trim for SCCA racing or 430 in the optional tune. The standard supercharged version is rated at 525 horsepower while the "R" tune option delivers 624 horsepower. All versions include Shelby performance suspension, brake, tire/wheel, and interior and exterior styling enhancements that make the GT350 as fast on the curves as it is in the straightaways.

In addition to the optional "R" tune for the supercharger, Shelby American will offer a solid blue painted hood stripes as well as finished rear bumper stripes. A Watts link rear suspension, upgraded stereo, track-oriented brakes and other options are also available on the Shelby.

Standard GT350 package components include:
• Shelby/Ford Racing/Whipple black finish supercharger (supercharged version only)
• Shelby/Ford Racing suspension
• Shelby Caster camber plate kit
• Shelby/Baer 6 piston front brake kit with exclusive nickel anodized finish
• Shelby/Baer ERADISPEED rear rotor and brake pad upgrade
• Front and rear brake duct and cooling kit
• Shelby/Borla unique center exit exhaust
• Shelby/Cragar 19" alloy wheels shod with Goodyear performance tires
• Front fascia including traditional "running pony" badge
• Rear fascia including exclusive GT350 45th anniversary badge
• Unique tail light trim
• Rear deck lid filler panel
• Side Rockers with functional integrated brake cooling ducts
• Exclusive GT350 Guardsman Blue vinyl over-the-top and side stripes
• "Powered by Ford" fender mounted badges
• Serialized engine plate
• Shelby Engine cap set
• Serialized Dash plate with Shelby GT350 sequential serial number
• A-Pillar mounted gauge package
• Embroidered Carroll Shelby Signature front seat headrests
• Exclusive GT350 45th anniversary embroidered front floor mats
• Shelby GT350 45th Anniversary windbreaker jacket
• Carroll Shelby signed passenger airbag cover (subject to availability)

Optional equipment:
• Polished supercharger
• Shelby/Baer 6 piston rear brake upgrade
• Watts link rear suspension
• Goodyear street race tire package
• Painted over the top and side stripe kit
• Shelby/Kicker premium sound system
• Leather seating surfaces with contrasting stitching and red/white/blue insert on front seats
• Tone on tone embroidered GT350 on seat backs
• Console cover and shift boot

Video: Chevrolet Camaro Z28 at the Nurburgring

The upcoming Camaro Z28 is getting ready to fight a battle royale of sorts with the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and Dodge Challenger SRT8. The Z is looking like a worthy competitor, with 500+ horsepower almost a guarantee. And now we have some video evidence that the car is indeed being tested, in this case at the world famous Nurburgring in Germany. Check it out, and enjoy the sweet sound of a supercharged 6.2 liter LSA V8.