How to create a curtain-raising splash for the Detroit Show? GM’s answer was to hire celebrities – including genuine Hollywood A-listers Christian Slater and Vivica Fox , as well as US comedians, soap stars and reality TV show winners from further down the celeb food chain.

The celebs paraded down a long catwalk, each accompanied by a GM concept car from around the world – many of which have already been seen at global motor shows. But the undoubted star was the new Chevrolet Camaro, a retro revival of the 1960s muscle-car favourite seen as a concept car hard-top at last year’s Detroit Show – but now confirmed for production in 2009 in both body styles. The Camaro was the only model – human or automotive – to win a standing ovation from the crowd.

In bright, ‘70s-style orange with dark grey competition stripes, the Camaro should make for an interesting contest with Ford’s equally iconic Mustang – and should prove whether or not America’s ongoing romance with retro muscle cars is a long-term trend.

Ed Welburn, GM vice president, global design, has no doubt: "The best follow-up to last year''s award-winning Camaro concept is a Camaro convertible," he said. It’ll be powered by a V8 engine, and manual transmission will be standard.