2010 Chevrolet Camaro on sale in Australia
October 22, 2009 by Alborz Fallah
Bumblebee is finally in Australia, the guys who bring us the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 have come out with the new converted, approved and ready to sell Chevrolet Camaro.
Gympie-based company Performax International, the biggest importer and converter of US-built passenger vehicles, has produced the world’s first right-hand drive version of new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
“We understand this is the first RHD 2010 Camaro built anywhere in the world and we’re proud to be bringing such an eagerly-awaited new car with an iconic badge back to Australia,” Performax International General Manager Nicholas Vandenberg said.
The recommended variant is the range-topping Camaro SS with a 6.2-litre LS3 V8, which will retail for $139,000 driveaway, other variants can be ordered with the Camaro range starting from $129,000.
The story for the RHD Camaro began some time ago, CarAdvice brought you pictures of the car undergoing development a few months back as Performax International obtained one of the very first Camaros that went on sale in the US to begin conversion work.
The company has been behind right-hand drive conversions for over two decades and uses the latest in Computer Aided Design technology to perfect the process.
For those interested, the conversion process starts with a three-dimensional computer scan of parts that need to be reproduced for right-hand drive, for example the dashboard. On the computer the scans are reverse-engineered and solid plastic prototypes produced by a three-dimensional printer. The final result in almost indifferent to the original part.
Legendary driver Kevin Bartlett had tested the car prior to its launch on the Gold Coast today. Bartlett, who CarAdvice readers may recall road tested an Aston Martin DBS with us earlier this year, said “you can’t pick that it hasn’t come straight from the factory. There’s no compromise, none, it’s just done the way you would want your own car to be.”
Chevrolet Camaro SS main features
- Engine: 6.2-litre LS3 V8, producing 318 kW @ 5900 rpm, 570 Nm @ 4600 rpm
- Transmission: Tremec 6-speed manual; rear drive
- Suspension: All-independent
- Brakes: Brembo discs with 4-piston alloy calipers
- Wheels, tyres: Z-rated front 245/45/20, rear 275/40/20
- Kerb weight: 1746 kg
- Safety: StabiliTrack electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, front/side/curtain airbags, tyre pressure monitors, rear park assist
- Interior: Leather seating with 6-way power driver adjustment, Boston Acoustic 9-speaker stereo, climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth, leather steering wheel and shift knob
Print it: 
well if i was to buy a muscle car that’s what i’d get
Really – as most people on here know Im a Holden man and I would prefer a Dodge Challenger.
Mr too,
I’d also have the 5.7l, AWD Dodge Charger…
Impressive, but at that price a tad absurd, as you can buy a clubsport r8 which offers all the appeal (and the same platform and drivetrain) with a nicer interior for half the money.
But hey, if you have ridiculous sums of cash to spend, and want to stand out, atleast you now have that option.
With the strong Australian dollar, imagine if they could get a ZR1 out here for 150-170k. Now that would be impressive.
These guys can get you a ZR1.. not sure on the price though
That is a big call Tom. Besides the fact that appeal is a personal thing, IMHO it still looks better and more appealing than the overly busy ‘lets put another spioler, scoop, bulge etc on it’ HSV R8. It is like the designers couldn’t leave it alone. Having said that, you are right with the price being a little absurd for what is essentially a 2 door short wheel base Clubsport with a much prettier skin. Then again, people paid more for the ‘tarted up’ Clubsport that was the HSV 427… :-)
Its just in the states this is inline with VE SS pricing, yet here its 2 and a half time as much…
No one in their right mind would buy this over a C63 AMG
With the ZR1 being 105k USD and the Aussie dollar nearly matching theirs, surely it would be possible to get it here, converted for under 200k these days.. The price in the covnersion is in remapping the interior, that should be the same for a 10,000$ car or a 100,000$ one
Conversion to match factory quality…….lol well that shouldnt be too hard ……quality is not one of GM’s strong points……..in fact it is one of the reasons that it is now owned and run by the U.S. government.
“….in fact it is one of the reasons that it is now owned and run by the U.S. government.”
Whatever you reckon..
Granted the car looks fantastic, however a 2009 xr6 turbo would out perform it any day…and for only a tad over 45k. One could grab a xr6 turbo and (if youre after a coupe) a new 370Z for less.
yea and not one would look twice at it.
this thing is clearly awesome to the extreme.
I agree, and it’s not often Toxic and I see eye to eye.
As if you wouldnt get the top of the range for only 10k more than a lesser option when you’ve already spent that much.
some people just can’t stretch that extra 10K, hence why manufacutrers have cheaper otpions.
Nice car, but over 100k? Pass. Oh that’s right I dont have 100k anyhow. 300TD forever!
Is it my eyes or have the token dials by the gear lever been left to stager to the left side?
The gauges do appear to point to the left slightly – However; I can’s see why they aren’t mounted along the top of the dash inline with the drivers line of sight. [like they do in the HSV GTS]
Yet another advertorial. It’s expensive because they can charge what they want (or to pay for caradvice advertising). It would be interesting to know how much the conversion actually costs and how much is pure profit. ADR and taxes aren’t that expensive, look at Japanese imports.
These guys have to pay there staff, since they sell a low volume of cars they have to make a decent profit.
Not only that its an iconic car that they know a number of car enthusiasts – who are more interested in old fashioned “muscle” rather than refinement; would want.. therefore; they can charge a premium.
Not only that Just like the Mustang the Camaro was a “dream car” of 1000s of young kids back n the 60-70s.. now those kids are adults some of who, are likely to be successful businessmen who can now afford to by their dream car. Not to many of us can do that.
A friend of mine, Linda, has ordered one….and she’s only just got her license…CRAZY!
Now all you need is a job in one of the mines or on an oil rig so you can afford it.
The price they are asking is crazy! Especially if that is JUST the conversion cost and you still have to import the car yourself.
I’ve been researching importing the Camaro myself and getting a V6 (yes whatever – I have increased my dream car cylinders by 2 already with the V6 so dont bother trying to tell me the only way to go is an 8) and importing yourself should only be about $40,000 and then with some people I have spoken to the conversion cost should be similar to converting a Chev truck which is only about $35 to $40,000 so thats a total of about $80,000 which is not nearly as much as Performax are going to charge you.
Anyone seriously thinking of ordering one from these guys – I highly recommend you research your options first. Sure importing yourself means more work for you personally, but unless your a millionaire, it will save you money!
Ha ha. You have never imported a car before? Performax pricing is well in line with other companies such as AVS in Melb, and they do a far superior job. I know, I had a ‘vette converted with them.
I also know, since I have had a ‘vette converted with them, that you can purchase your own car and simply have them convert it.
You need to take into account the exchange rate, the shipping and the mass of government taxes as well as the fact, yes, funnily enough they do need to make a profit!
Also to those saying why pay that much when you can get XYZ for less – thats not the point – its like with ‘vettes and ’stangs – you dont WANT what every man and his dog and every young bloke with a hefty loan out there has!
The mustang has far more presence for mine…either way though, they are priced only for a true enthusiast or for those with cash to burn.
We developed this car but ironically, no RHD version. That’s just pathetic, and specially converted models that are within BMW M3 pricing doesn’t make much sense, if any.
in the us camero ss is only 35,000 why does it cost three times as much here?
Shipping and conversion costs plus hefty tax. A LHD Commodore (Pontiac G8) is completely built here, shipped out but sold less in America compared to the equivalent sh!t here. Go figure.
good god living in australia sucks sometimes
Just came back from the States after driving one of these for two weeks. It is FREAKIN SWEET! And I’m more of a Ford man. I would buy one of these in a heartbeat. We had the V6, which still has 227kW, the LT model, which is worth around $25K. This would suit me down to the ground, damn the LHD rules!
This is a very well sorted car, you can see the Australian influence. Love this car, never thought I would like a GM product.