No manual transmission as Australian specs are released for official Chevrolet Camaro

HSV has announced full specifications (but still no pricing) for the Camaro coupe it will release in mid-2018 and the headline news is there will be no manual transmission.

This is despite HSV previously indicating a six-speed manual would be offered alongside the Camaro’s eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

On the bright side, although they’re yet to be certified, the outputs of the 6.2-litre Gen 5 LT1 V8 in our Camaro have been listed at 339kW and 617Nm – 1kW less but 2Nm more than the 340kW/615Nm figures quoted in North America.

There are no official Australian performance figures, although Chevrolet says the (US-spec) Camaro SS auto coupe can hit 60mph in four seconds – 0.3sec quicker than the manual.

The first officially-backed Camaro (and Silverado pick-up) will become available via selected Chevrolet-badged Holden dealers in Australia and New Zealand following their conversion to right-hand drive at HSV’s Clayton facility in Melbourne’s east.

As we’ve reported, there will be no convertible or, for now, flagship 485kW ZL1 versions and the single-spec Camaro 2SS Coupe will be based on the outgoing 2018 model – not the newly revealed 2019 Camaro.

That means it will miss out on upgrades such as a 10-speed automatic transmission (as seen in the 2018 Ford Mustang that also arrives in June), LED headlights and a range of other infotainment, safety and cosmetic updates.

Chevrolet’s new 2019 Camaro Turbo 1LE – powered by a new 205kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder – will not be imported or sold here.

Standard Camaro SS features will include 20-inch five-spoke machined-face alloy wheels (measuring 8.5 inches wide up front and 9.5-inch at rear) with 245/40 front and 275/35 rear Goodyear Eagle ZR20 rubber.

Also standard will be four-piston Brembo brake callipers at all four corners, bi-modal exhaust system with dual outlets and a limited-slip differential.

Standard safety equipment extends to seven airbags, a reversing camera, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and rear parking sensors.

There’s also automatic HID headlights, stanchion rear spoiler, power-adjustable heated and ventilated leather-trimmed sports bucket seats, a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, nine-speaker Bose premium audio system, cruise control, keyless entry with remote start, and dual-zone climate-control.

Nine exterior paint colours will be available and other standard items include 24-colour interior spectrum lighting around the radio, door trim and cup holders, plus illuminated sill plates, Drive Mode Selector and Driver Information Centre.

Pricing is expected to be close to $80,000, meaning the four-seat Camaro SS will cost up to $20,000 more than the equivalent 2018 Mustang GT Fastback (from $62,990).

However, HSV’s Camaro will be more exclusive than the Mustang, which found 9165 Australian homes last year, accounting for half of all mainstream sports car sales and making it Ford’s best-seller Down Under.

HSV’s Camaro business case is based around converting and selling just 1000 examples for Australia and New Zealand annually.