10:42 AM
Chevrolet's 2010 Camaro LS with a V-6 engine will carry a base sticker of $22,995, including shipping.
The 6.2-liter V-8-powered SS performance version will have a base sticker price of $30,995 with shipping.
Customer ordering begins Monday, Oct. 13, Chevrolet says. Production starts Feb. 16 at General Motors' Oshawa, Ontario, assembly plant.
Chevrolet will look beyond the Camaro's traditional competitors, the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger, says John Fitzpatrick, Camaro marketing manager.
"We will work to expand beyond that set and look at all the sporty competitors," Fitzpatrick says, citing the Nissan 350Z, Scion tC and Honda Civic Si.
"We don't want to focus on just Mustang and Challenger," Fitzpatrick says. "We will keep them on the radar. But we think we have a product that has the styling, performance, safety and fuel efficiency to go up against the best in the market."
Asked what the greatest challenge is in launching the sporty Camaro in a time of worry over gasoline prices, Fitzpatrick says, "the biggest one is the unknown. Every day seems to bring something new to us. Our biggest challenge is getting out there and telling everybody they really need to take a look."
According to Chevrolet, the 3.6-liter V-6 LS and LT versions are rated at an estimated 300 hp. LS and LT versions are expected to have an estimated 27 mpg EPA rating in highway driving.
