Chevrolet->ke199 has a big celebration on the horizon as 2012 marks the Camaro's 45th anniversary, and the best way for an automaker to celebrate such an event is to launch a new special edition. Appropriately called the Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition, this new model will be offered on the Camaro’s->ke248 top two trim levels (2LT and 2SS) for both coupe and convertible body styles.

"The appeal of Camaro design and performance has powered it to the top of its segment," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "For 2012, we’re capitalizing on that momentum with enhancements to Camaro’s performance and comfort."

The special edition won't be the only jazzed up Camaro for 2012 as the standard model will also receive a plethora of enhancements. The 2012 Camaro will include a new 3.6L direct injection V-6 LFX engine, an FE4 suspension for the SS version, and interior appearance, ergonomic, and technology upgrades for Camaro drivers and passengers. All of these upgrades will be also be applied to the Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition.

UPDATE 03/28/12: The first model of the Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition won't be headed to dealerships. Instead, the car is headed to the Barrett-Jackson auction at Palm Beach, Florida on April 6 where it will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Knowing how some folks can get bid-happy in these places, we won't be surprised if the first Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition sells a lot more than what it's supposedly worth.

UPDATE 04/10/12: $150,000. That's how much the Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition cost one bidder after the car was auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson auction at Palm Beach, Florida. Despite the six-figure price tag, the bidder ought to be feeling good about himself because, one, he now owns the first production model of the limited run Camaro and two, all that money he paid for it will be sent to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Hit the jump to read more about the Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 323
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The 2012 Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition and 2012 Camaro will receive a few exterior upgrades to differentiate it from the previous model years. For starters, a a new rear spoiler and the taillamps previously provided as an option on the RS appearance package will come standard. A new, body-color “sharkfin” antenna will also be added and the old Red Jewel exterior paint will be replaced with a Crystal Red Tintcoat exterior paint.

The Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition will be further distinguished from the rest of the line-up by a Carbon Flash Metallic exteior paint contrasted by a unique rally stripe, in red and silver. It will also get a unique 45th Anniversary hood and deck stripes, badges located beneath the front fender emblems, new-design 20" wheels in dark silver, fog lamp and taillamp bezels finished in dark silver, RS-style taillamp lenses, a standard rear spoiler, HID headlamps, and body-color roof molding.

Interior

For the interior, the 2012 Camaro will get a revised instrument panel appearance, with new instrument graphics and trim, as well as a new steering wheel design and a power lift feature for the front passenger seat.

As with the exterior, the interior of the 45th Anniversary Camaro will also get bonus goodies. Among the new features will be leather-trimmed seats featuring the 45th Anniversary logo, a white instrument panel and door trim inserts with the 45th Anniversary logo on the instrument panel, red, white, and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob/boot, door armrests and console lid, and a 45th Anniversary logo on the steering wheel and sill plates.

Engine

Next to the current engine line-up, customers interested in the 2012 Camaro will also have the option of a new 3.6L direct injection V-6 LFX engine that delivers an SAE-certified 323 HP at 6,800 rpm.

Engine features:

  • New cylinder head design with integrated exhaust manifold
  • Improved intake port design and larger intake valves within the cylinder heads
  • Longer-duration intake camshafts
  • Composite intake manifold
  • New fuel pump and isolated fuel rail
  • New, optimized-flow fuel injectors
  • Structural front cover and cylinder block enhancements
  • Stronger and lighter-weight connecting rods
  • Camshaft cap and throttle body design enhancements.

Prices

Chevrolet has not revealed pricing for this special edition just yet, but for those interested, you can get a first look at the 45th Anniversary Special Edition at the Camaro5 Fest II on April 15, 2011 in Arizona.

Competition

The biggest competitor for the Camaro, even in 2012, will remain the Ford Mustang. Ford hasn't announced many special editions for the 2012 model year just yet, but we're sure they will be coming to compete with Camaro's 45th Anniversary Edition. Aside from the special editions, the Mustang line-up includes plenty of models to choose from, starting with the standard Mustang V6 with its 305 HP and the GT500 with 550 HP. There is also the special Mustang Boss 302 that delivers 444 Hp. So, once again, the competition between the two models will be very tight.