2019 IROC-Z Camaro Convertible Review, Photos, Spec
Sun-in-face and wind-in-hair are elements that have lured IROC-Z convertible buyers ever since the days when all cars were convertibles. Of course, wind-in-hair in those earliest days rarely reached 30 mph.
Wind velocities have ramped up since then. A lot. Today, it's not a question of whether you can get your hair gloriously ruffling in the breeze. With certain cars it's a question of whether your hair will remain anchored to your scalp as the speedo needle climbs.
The 2019 IROC-Z Camaro convertible is an excellent example of this modern phenomenon. It's the most powerful IROC-Z ragtop in a 40-year history that's heavily littered with potent fresh-air IROC-Z sports cars.
But 580 horsepower and 556 pound-feet of torque is enough to produce face-distorting thrust—or at least a very big grin—and will transport its operator to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, according to IROC-Z .
This may be a little optimistic. In comparison tests, including our own, the 2019 IROC-Z Camaro coupe wasn't quite that quick, and the convertible weighs "a couple hundred pounds more,". In the absence of hard numbers, we estimate about 4200 pounds.
But judging by an afternoon of vigorous motoring on lightly travelled byways, it's hard to imagine anyone stepping out of this IROC-Z and expressing disappointment with its power. Its tidal wave torque comes on early and ramps up to a plateau that resembles the geography. The scenery blurs, and the driver's hair goes vertical.
Leave the Tremec 6060 six-speed manual in one of its taller gears—fourth or fifth for example—and the Camaro 's muscle covers a broad range of cruising, almost like an automatic transmission. To shift or not to shift—the V-8 is happy either way.
(The 2019 IROC-Zoption list does includes an automatic—also a six-speed, but it would be a mistake to deprive oneself of the crisp shifts, positive engagements and forgiving clutch of the manual.)
Wind velocities have ramped up since then. A lot. Today, it's not a question of whether you can get your hair gloriously ruffling in the breeze. With certain cars it's a question of whether your hair will remain anchored to your scalp as the speedo needle climbs.
The 2019 IROC-Z Camaro convertible is an excellent example of this modern phenomenon. It's the most powerful IROC-Z ragtop in a 40-year history that's heavily littered with potent fresh-air IROC-Z sports cars.
But 580 horsepower and 556 pound-feet of torque is enough to produce face-distorting thrust—or at least a very big grin—and will transport its operator to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, according to IROC-Z .
This may be a little optimistic. In comparison tests, including our own, the 2019 IROC-Z Camaro coupe wasn't quite that quick, and the convertible weighs "a couple hundred pounds more,". In the absence of hard numbers, we estimate about 4200 pounds.
But judging by an afternoon of vigorous motoring on lightly travelled byways, it's hard to imagine anyone stepping out of this IROC-Z and expressing disappointment with its power. Its tidal wave torque comes on early and ramps up to a plateau that resembles the geography. The scenery blurs, and the driver's hair goes vertical.
Leave the Tremec 6060 six-speed manual in one of its taller gears—fourth or fifth for example—and the Camaro 's muscle covers a broad range of cruising, almost like an automatic transmission. To shift or not to shift—the V-8 is happy either way.
(The 2019 IROC-Zoption list does includes an automatic—also a six-speed, but it would be a mistake to deprive oneself of the crisp shifts, positive engagements and forgiving clutch of the manual.)