Chevrolet announced today that it will release a special-edition Camaro each year, called the Synergy Series, emphasizing new approaches to accessory parts and customization. At SEMA 2010, the Synergy Series 2011 show car debuts to showcase the car that will be offered to consumers in the first half of 2011 as a special-edition model. The first Camaro Synergy model was the 2010 Synergy Green special-edition car. It proved so popular with consumers that Chevrolet is now making Synergy an annual series. The Camaro Synergy Series 2011 model contains a mix of exterior and interior accessories – including combinations not available on any other production model, including an exclusive gray interior with red accent stitching throughout. It is based on Camaro Chroma, a show car first exhibited at SEMA in 2009. The Camaro Synergy Series 2011 model will begin production in the first quarter, in limited quantities. "The Synergy Series reflects the strong response consumers have consistently had toward Camaro," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "At the same time it provides an example of how Chevrolet is renewing its commitment to expanding accessory offerings." While the original Synergy was offered only in a single color (Synergy Green) and with the six-cylinder engine, the 2011 edition will be offered in four colors – Cyber Gray, Victory Red, Summit White and Black – as well as 2SS (V-8) and 2LT (V-6) trims with the RS package. The Camaro Synergy SEMA Show vehicle is based on a 2SS model and displays production and concept styling cues. The accompanying highlights chart identifies them. VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS Exterior: • Cyber Gray color (production) • Chevrolet Accessory grille and ground effects package (production) • 21-inch painted wheel (silver finish, optional for production) • Body-color antenna Interior: • Gray interior with red stitching on the seat, steering wheel, door panels, console lid, shifter boot, shift knob and headrest (production) • Red instrument cluster and accent lighting • Chevrolet Accessory interior trim kit in Silver Ice • Chevrolet Accessory floor mats with red border and silver Camaro lettering • Footwell and cupholder lighting Performance: • LS3 6.2L engine and six-speed manual transmission (with 2SS only) • Chevrolet Accessory Hurst shifter with red stitching • Chevrolet Accessory engine cover in red • Brembo brake calipers in red (with 2SS only) • Pedders lowering kit (licensed Camaro accessory, not included in production package)

The car that started a million jokes. Skoda, Yugo, FSO, Lada and Moskvitch and Wartburg before them sold exceptionally well in the UK to owners who demanded more metal for their money - for the price of a mini, these manufacturers offered 4 doors, cloth seats, cigarette lighters, demisters, radios, headrests - quite a big deal back then. Of course the offset to this were the lack of refinement, elderly, thirsty and inefficient engines, as well as crippling depriciation and questionable credibility. Skoda, somehow managed to get singled out by many 3rd division comedians, which is a shame because they were actually far better than the jesters suggested. They were unusual in the fact they retained the rear engined layout and some earlier models suffered from build quality issues, but in the mid 80's Autocar annouced on their cover that the Skoda Rapid was one of the best handling cars this side of the Porsche 911. I took this shot around 2001, there's a chance that both cars were owned by the same owner, perhaps the bottom car was a donor model for the top one - whose road tax had only just expired. By this time the number of rear engined Skodas on the roads were thin on the ground, but the eventual transformation that Volkswagen had injected into the brand, when they bought them in 1991, started to pay dividens when Skoda repeatedly won awards for owner satisfaction, reliability and value for money. Now who's laughing?