Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Chevrolet

click above image to see more spy shots of the Chevy Camaro mule

Though it's been spotted bombing the boulevards of Australia, the Chevy Camaro mule seen in these pictures has not been caught testing in the U.S. until now. Insiders have confirmed this Middle Eastern-market Chevy Lumina SS mule with severely truncated rear doors is indeed a mule for the production Chevy Camaro that will hopefully go on sale as a 2009 model. Chris Doane shooting for Brenda Priddy snapped the pics and tells us that in addition to the shortened rear doors, the wheelbase is obviously shorter compared to a normal VE sedan from Holden and the roofline is also lower to the ground. Priddy adds that while we don't know what engine is in the mule, expect the production car to have your choice of GM's 3.6L direct-inject V6, a "regular" V8 and top-shelf motor based on the LS8 engine putting out close to 500 HP. A convertible should follow a year after the coupe arrives, just like the Camaro Convertible Concept showed up 365 days after the coupe concept.

[Photos: Chris Doane /Brenda Priddy & Company]

Gallery: Camaro Mule Caught Testing in the US



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Interesting!!

 

That quote implies the "regular" V8 & top dog will be out year one and only the convertible will come late...anymore news on this?
"the "regular" V8 and top-shelf motor based on the LS8 engine putting out close to 500 HP. A convertible should follow a year after the coupe arrives, just like the Camaro Convertible Concept showed up 365 days after the coupe concept."

...of course of the quote is taken completely for what it says, we won't see a top dog model until 24 months after it shows up at the auto show, just like the coupe and convertible

 

Hell yeah, It is getting closer. There is something I noticed on the front view picture on the Autoblog site

It sure as hell looks like there is a Dry Sump system on this thing, IS the LS3 supposed to be dry sump or could they be testing with the ls7.

 

NICE...looks like they've put a lot of miles on it...pretty dirty.

 

Now my question would have to be whether or not the 'top dog' engine would be avaliable in the convertible. Either way, if the top engine is avaliable first year as this suggests, I may have to start putting even more of my pennies away.

 

If it follows the same rules as the Z06, then no. I would imagine if they did they might have to beef up the chassis a bit.

 

Now let look at this. First off the Z28 the top car is going to be a 2010 car after the Convertible SS arrives.

Second, If Ford offers a Shelby Convertible [as they now are] one would be safe to assume there will be a Z28 Convertible...

Keep in mind it has also been mentioned that the Challanger is most likely going also to be offered in a high powered V8 convertible.

As for the Z06 not being offered one has to keep in mind that the things a 500+ HP Camaro will also more than likely have that a Z06 does not. A top speed limiter.

Also consider that the Camaro is not going to pull over one G on the skid pad. It will handle very very well but with it's size and higher center of gravity it will be expected to do just a little less than a Z06.

 

talk about a fox in sheep's clothing. I love the rear shot. I can only imagine what it sounds like. The front fog lights also line up nicely to its other suit.

 

How big do you guys think the tires are. I'm hoping they're at least 275's

 

Anybody from the winky club want to chime in?

 

Where the hell do you see any indication of a dry sump oiling system?
The LS3 is NOT a dry sump system, it is a wet system like every other Gen IV.
LS7 will not last long enough to find its way into Camaro
The SC6.2's will also not have dry sump outside of the Z06, CTS-V and ZR1.

 

It may have been here for a while, but it wasn't the same car spotted in Detroit. The car in Detroit, had a full four doors, unlike this mule.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=51969

The one that was spotted in Detroit is (from what I have read) a production Lumina SS for South Africa and India and such...

 

Those tires look small.

 

I do have to say, that even as a "cut down" car, that Lumina looks sweet. Make the rear doors suicide and I'd consider buying it, but I'd much rather have the Camaro

I think some of you are reading too much into this. This is just a test car. It's most likely a full camaro chassis (or parts of it) with a cut down production body on it. The wheel wells and such aren't going to match the Camaros.