Chevrolet Camaro Convertible concept news - Detroit show: Camaro Convertible Concept - 2007

While the Japanese manufacturers were doing their best to wow the crowds with futuristic concepts and technological wizardry, Chevrolet got the home crowd on its side in a much more simple way with this, the Camaro Convertible Concept.

After stealing the Detroit show last year with its retro hard-top Camaro concept, Chevrolet has repeated the trick this year by chopping the lid off its old-school muscle car.

A predictable move, perhaps, but a real crowd-pleaser - especially in that unmissable orange 'n' black paintjob.

The Camaro Convertible remains true to the styling of the hardtop, and the 22-inch alloys (at the back, at least - they're mere 21s up front) give it a muscular poise.

Of course, there's a V8 under the bonnet, and although GM is keeping sketchy on the details, we reckon it should put out at least 400bhp through the rear wheels.

In keeping with the rest of the car, the Camaro's interior has retro touches in the round gauge/square hole instrument panel. The satin aluminium trim, however, is a nice modern touch.

The Camaro hardtop is due to go into production in early 2009, with GM insiders saying that the ragtop will follow a couple of months later.