Unveiling the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SSX Concept: A Track Beast in Street Clothing
With the Chevrolet Camaro's latest reincarnation hitting the streets last year, it's no surprise that owners have been exploring its performance capacities to the limit. The Camaro SSX Track Car steps up to this plate as a conceptual rendition of the street Camaro SS, metamorphosed into a track-dedicated powerhouse, while simultaneously acting as a pedestal for Chevrolet's new performance parts. The SSX concept is a stride towards merging on-road competence with track capabilities.
A Pinnacle of Chevrolet's New Performance Endeavors
"The SSX concept is an experiment in pushing the boundaries of Camaro's commendable street performance into a realm usually reserved for circuit-specific vehicles," says Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet's marketing. Through this vehicle, Chevrolet underlines their recently sparked commitment to catering to racing enthusiasts with a collection of performance parts designed for the racetrack.
The Make-Up of a Track Warrior
The Camaro SSX Track Car boasts a design aesthetic with a singular focus - road course performance. To achieve this, the car has been fitted with carbon fiber aero components, including a front splitter and an adjustable rear wing. Lightweight carbon fiber body panels and a revised lower grille with unique brake cooling ducts further enhance the car's racing capability. Additionally, non-essential elements such as a bulk of the sound-deadening material, carpeting, and rear seat have been shed to reduce the Camaro's weight significantly.
The SSX wears a low-gloss Icy White Metallic exterior paint which strikingly contrasts with the carbon aero parts, door graphics, racing number, and red details. The car rides on track-dedicated wheels and tires, its build process having been influenced by insights from Pratt and Miller, Chevrolet's Corvette Racing partners, and Riley Technologies, with components proven in the Grand Am racing series.
Notable Vehicle Features
On the outside, the SSX distinguishes itself with an Icy White Metallic color palette complemented by red accents and door graphics. The car also features a carbon fiber hood, fenders, doors, and deck lid, as well as an exposed carbon fiber front splitter, rockers, and adjustable rear wing. Unique lower grille and brake ducts give it a distinct track-ready look.
The interior focuses on track necessities. The carpeting, sound deadener, and rear seat are all scrapped. In their place, you find an Ace suede-covered racing steering wheel and shifter, an SCCA-approved roll cage and window net, a racing driver’s seat with a five-point harness, racing pedals, a fire suppression system, a fuel cell, and a video camera system mounted on the roll cage.
Under the hood, the SSX houses an LS3 6.2L V-8, supplemented with Chevrolet Performance Parts’ camshaft, cylinder heads, and dry-sump oiling system. It features a production six-speed manual transmission with a Corvette ZR1 twin-disc clutch. It breathes through low-restriction air induction and exhaust systems. The car uses a four-wheel disc racing brake system with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers and drilled and slotted rotors. To perfect the ride, the production suspension has been modified with Pfadt licensed components, and it runs on 20-inch racing wheels and tires.
Final Thoughts
The Chevrolet Camaro SSX Concept is more than just a showcase; it's a testament to the potential of a Camaro unleashed. It's a demonstration of what can happen when the boundaries of street performance are pushed, and a glimpse into the future of Chevrolet’s commitment to performance vehicles and parts. While the Camaro SSX may just be a concept, it serves as a benchmark for automotive enthusiasts, hinting at the exciting prospects that lie ahead in the realm of performance automobiles.
