2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible gets Special Edition for Neiman Marcus' Christmas Book

After the auction of the first publicly available production model of the 2011 Camaro Convertible that sold for $205,000, and the release of a single official press image last week, Chevrolet continues to drum up interest for its new topless Camaro with the announcement of a new special edition version that will be showcased in the annual Neiman Marcus "Christmas Book".

The General plans to build only 100 examples of the Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus Edition, each priced $75,000, with first deliveries set to take place in the spring of 2011.

All Neiman Marcus Editions are based on the Camaro Convertible SS model and come equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that delivers 426HP and 420 lb-ft of torque when paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, and 400HP and 410 lb-ft, when combined to a 6-speed automatic.

The cars are finished in an exclusive Deep Bordeaux exterior color, accented by subtle, "ghosted" rally stripes. The body paint is complimented by a color-matched fabric top, windshield frame finished in matte silver, and a set of 21-inch, polished aluminum wheels with red detailing, wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires both, all of which are exclusive to the Neiman Marcus edition.

The interior of the special edition model receives exclusive leather interior appointments, including amber-colored leather seating surfaces offset by black leather side panels and red stitching.

Red accents are also found on the center console, steering wheel and shift knob, while the Deep Bordeaux color from the exterior appears on the dash and door panels.

Other features worth mentioning including the standard Brembo disc brakes, LED halo-ring headlamps, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking assist, and a 245-watt, Boston Acoustics sound system.

"Neiman Marcus provides a great platform to showcase the new Camaro Convertible," said Tom Peters, Chevrolet Design director. "And, it enabled us to create a special edition car that combines the powerful design and performance of the new Camaro with an element of exclusivity, craftsmanship and customized luxury."

For those of you interested in buying us a Christmas gift, reservations will be accepted from October 19, 2010. To place a reservation, all you have to do is call 1.877.662.6276.

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2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Unveiled: World Premiere in Los Angeles, on Sale in February from $30,000

Taking a short break from our Paris Motor Show coverage, General Motors surprised us this morning with the release of the first official picture of the production 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible.

The soft-top iteration of GM's muscle car will make its world debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on November 17, and arrive in Chevrolet showrooms in February 2011 with a starting price -yes, we have that too- of $30,000, including $850 destination, for the base V6 model. Full pricing details will be released later this year.

"The Convertible will make the all-new Camaro, already a smash-hit, even more desirable to a greater range of drivers," says Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing.

Not surprisingly, the Convertible model will be available in the same model and engine offerings as the Camaro Coupe. The base model will have a 3.6-liter V6 with direct-injection pumping out 312-ponies and returning 29 miles per gallon on the highway, while the SS model will feature the 6.2-liter V8 producing 426-horsepower. A six-speed manual gearbox will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.

All-New Hyundai Elantra to join Sonata and Sorento in Alabama, U.S. Spec Model to Debut in LA

For some reason (maybe it's a revolution) Hyundai is just all up in everyone's face lately. Whether it's forging the way Stateside with its new Sonata and Tucson or diving head-first into the Russian market with its new Solaris small sedan, the South Korean automaker just appears in the news non-stop like it's no big thing.

Case in point: the all-new and very Soanata-esque Elantra (called Avante in South Korea) is going to be built in good ol' Alabama at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) plant.

For the record, that's three (yes, 3) models we've got being built here as "made in America", and all in the past few years. Even Hyundai knows it. The first words of the press release are "Hyundai's three most popular models will now be built in the U.S." And that's that.

Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik says, "Hyundai's philosophy is to build our vehicles where we sell them, and with the addition of the Elantra to our U.S. production mix we now manufacture our three most popular models right here in the U.S."

While we've already essentially seen the Elantra (in various forms), it will make its US debut in L.A. in November. If it's anything like the Sonata, which has just plain been knocking them dead in the market, this new little looker could put the Corolla, Civic, and others in its rear-view mirror.

For more on the next Elantra, check out our previous post and get a look at what we here in the States will soon be getting. Expect to see something along the lines of a directly-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 140-ish horsepower and hooked to either a 6-speed stick or 6-speed automatic tranny.

By Phil Alex

Photo Gallery: KDM 2011 Hyundai Avante / Elantra