2011 Camaro SS X and Corvette Z06X Concept Cars

Dodge may be having all the fun crafting race-ready versions of its Viper, but the designers and enthusiasts employed at General Motors want to remind you they’re not incapable of building some serious race machinery themselves. Witness the Chevrolet Corvette Z06X and Camaro SS X concepts: built in partnership with Pratt & Miller for the 2010 SEMA show, these two show stoppers are GM’s vision of the ultimate track machines.

chevrolet corvette Z06X concept rear view

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car 595x353

1969 and 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car Front Angle View 670x502

It’s hard to find fault with the basic premise of a Corvette Z06, but designers simply took the best of the production car while adding features to help it ’round a road course. The Z06X concept is built upon a production 2011 Z06 fitted with both the vaulted Z07 performance package and the CFZ Carbon Fiber option group.

From there, GM added a low-restriction air intake, along with a heavy-duty radiator and an improved cooling system. Engineers also tinkered with the suspension setup, adding mono-ball control arm bushings, adjustable stabilizer bars, and coil-over struts with adjustable camber plates. Brembo carbon-ceramic brake rotors are part of the stock Z07 package, but lightweight racing wheels, finished in a dark hue and capped with Michelin racing rubber, are unique to the Z06X.

chevrolet camaro ss 2011 picture 940

camaro synergy2011 35772jp 55rzlrzcyls8o0kw8g44s8gco a5fuq7lrqzkgc0ccw4ss08gso th

chevrolet camaro ss 2011 picture 941

Camaro Synerg 2011 35633 jp

That black finish ties well with the Z06X’s exterior design. Although all body parts are essentially stock, GM painted the car in a Icy White Metallic color, adding a black racing stripe and rear fascia, along with red accents. Inside, the Z06X’s interior is gutted of interior trim and insulation, allowing the installation of an SCCA-approved roll cage, fire suppression system, a racing seat for the driver, and a five-point harness. To help further strip the car of weight, the rear hatch glass has been replaced with a custom polycarbonate window.

sema10 2011 chevrolet camaro ssx track car concept img02 gallery image large

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS4

2010 chevrolet camaro ss front angle 588x369

2011 Camaro SS X Concept
Chevrolet’s Camaro SS X concept abides by the same formula applied to the Z06X, although a few extra modifications were required to help turn the bulky muscle machine into a satisfying road racer.

Outside, the SS X shares the Z06X’s design theme, sporting the same black-on-white paint scheme as its fiberglass-bodied relative. In a move to strip weight, GM replaced the hood, fenders, doors, and deck lid with panels fabricated from carbon fiber. For aerodynamic purposes, a carbon fiber front splitter, rocker panels, and adjustable rear wing were also added to the package.

Underhood, the SS X retains the Camaro’s stock 6.2-liter LS3 V-8, although it’s been massaged with a new camshaft, revised cylinder heads, and a dry-sump oil system. The six-speed transmission is stock Getrag fare, although it is fitted with a twin-disc clutch raided from the Corvette ZR1 parts bin. 20-inch wheels and racing tires are added, and are stopped courtesy of an upgraded four-wheel-brake system, which includes six-piston front calipers, four-piston rear calipers, and slotted rotors at each corner.

 Photo 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car Interior View

As is the case with the Z06X, the Camaro SS X’s interior isn’t exactly conducive for commuting. Carpeting, insulation, interior trim, and other parts — including the rear seat — have been gutted to shave weight and make room for some serious racing hardware. An SCCA-spec roll cage, window net, race seat, and five-point harness are added, along with racing pedals, a fire suppression system, and fuel cell.